St. John’s Again Named to Student Mental Health Services National Honor Roll

For the second consecutive year, St. John’s University has earned a place on The Princeton Review®’s Mental Health Services Honor Roll, recognizing the University’s continued commitment to supporting student mental health and well-being. 

The Princeton Review® conducts the annual honor roll in partnership with the Ruderman Family Foundation. It recognizes institutions that provide comprehensive counseling services, wellness programs, and other resources to support students throughout their college experience. 

St. John’s is among 76 colleges and universities nationwide selected for the 2027 honor roll and one of only 27 institutions to receive the recognition for two consecutive years. “This national acknowledgement is especially meaningful,” said Jonathan W. Dator, Ph.D., MSCP, GCP, Director, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), part of the Division of Student Affairs. “Such an honor speaks to the hard work that the entire team at CAPS puts in  every day.”

Luis G. Manzo, Ph.D., ABPP, Assistant Vice President of Student Wellness, also spoke to the significance of the honor and what it represents in the University’s ongoing efforts to support students. 

“This distinction reflects St. John’s commitment to fostering a campus community that prioritizes health and well-being, recognizing that when students feel supported and cared for, they are better positioned to thrive both personally and academically,” Dr. Manzo said.

Through CAPS, St. John’s offers students confidential mental health services, including multilingual individual and group counseling, live and virtual crisis intervention, wellness programs, and, when needed, psychiatric services. The University has also expanded access to specialized mental health support, with a dedicated counselor serving students in the School of Law and sport psychology clinicians working directly with student-athletes.

Tatiana Camilo, a first-year student and member of the Red Storm Women’s Track and Field team, gave St. John’s high marks for its commitment to the emotional development of all students, not just student-athletes. “I am not surprised that St. John’s received such a high ranking from The Princeton Review®,” Tatiana said. “The way they support us as student-athletes and the resources they have for all students here are wonderful.”

In compiling the 2027 honor roll, The Princeton Review® convened a panel of higher education mental health experts to develop a survey for school administrators. The panel then selected key questions for the honor roll criteria. Nearly all four-year colleges and universities from across the country were invited to participate. More than 700 schools responded to the survey; the 76 schools that made the honor roll demonstrated the strongest commitment to students’ mental health and well-being.  

Broadly, schools on the honor roll demonstrate 

• Administrative interest in student mental health and well-being through a campuswide commitment to staffing and support services;
• A campus quality of life that is both healthy and attentive to the overall well-being of students; and
• Education programs and peer-to-peer offerings through which students can address their own mental health.

“We are honored to recognize St. John’s for the many ways it prioritizes the mental health of its students and its exceptional commitment to their well-being,” said The Princeton Review® Editor-in-Chief Rob Franek, “When it comes to student success in college, well-being is everything.”

The Princeton Review® gave high marks to the peer-to-peer resources available at St. John’s. These include E.P.I.C. (Establish Relationships, Promote Possibilities, Impact Direction, Confirm Next Steps), a first-year mentoring program; Project AIM, which focuses on the needs of first- and second-year international students; and the R.I.S.E. Network (Reach, Inspire, Succeed, Empower), which pairs first-year students with upper-level leaders, helping new students adjust to the academic and social demands of college.

“The CAPS staff genuinely cares about the well-being of every student who steps foot on this campus,” Dr. Dator said. “And we are grateful for the administration’s continued support and dedication to viewing students from a whole-person perspective.” 

“I am incredibly proud of the department’s ongoing commitment to understanding and addressing the evolving needs of our students and ensuring they have the support and resources necessary to flourish,” Dr. Manzo added.