SUNY ESF Earns National Recognition for Excellence in Student Mental Health and Counseling Services

Named to The Princeton Review’s 2027 Mental Health Services Honor Roll

11/02/2026

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Nov. 2, 2026 – The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) has been named to the 2027 Mental Health Services Honor Roll, a national distinction recognizing colleges and universities that demonstrate an exceptional commitment to student mental health, counseling services, and overall well-being. 

ESF is one of just 76 institutions nationwide to earn a place on the 2027 Honor Roll and one of only five SUNY campuses recognized this year. The recognition highlights the College's ongoing investment in student well-being and the exceptional work of its Counseling Center in providing accessible, high-quality mental health services to students. 

The recognition places a particular spotlight on ESF's Counseling Center, which serves as a cornerstone of the College's student support network. The center provides confidential counseling, crisis intervention, mental health education, outreach programming, consultation services, and referrals to help students navigate personal, emotional, and academic challenges. Through its student-centered approach, the Counseling Center promotes resilience, emotional wellness, and lifelong coping skills while helping students thrive both in and out of the classroom. In addition to on-campus services, ESF students have access to TimelyCare, a 24/7 virtual health and well-being platform that offers around-the-clock mental health support, counseling, and on-demand wellness resources, ensuring help is available whenever and wherever students need it. 

“This honor reflects the trust our students place in us and the dedication of our counseling team to providing compassionate, evidence-based care,” said Erica Allen, director of counseling at ESF. “Every day, our staff works to ensure students have access to meaningful support throughout their academic journey. Through our Counseling Center services and 24/7 TimelyCare resources, we strive to make mental health support accessible, responsive, and available whenever students need it. Recognition like this affirms the importance of meeting students where they are and creating multiple pathways to care.”

The Honor Roll distinction underscores the collaborative efforts of counseling professionals, faculty, staff, and student support personnel across campus to address the evolving mental health needs of today’s college students and foster an environment where seeking help is encouraged and supported. 

“This recognition reflects ESF's commitment to fostering an environment where students can thrive academically, personally, and emotionally,” said Joanie Mahoney, president of ESF. “Supporting mental health is essential to student success. This honor celebrates the outstanding work of our Counseling Center and the many campus partners who help ensure students have the care, resources, and sense of belonging needed for success. We are proud to be one of only five SUNY institutions recognized on The Princeton Review's 2027 Mental Health Services Honor Roll and congratulate Farmingdale State College, the University at Albany, Stony Brook University, and SUNY Geneseo on this achievement. Together, this recognition reflects SUNY’s shared commitment to advancing student well-being and success.”

“Student well-being is foundational to learning, engagement, and persistence,” said Renee McNamara, dean of students at ESF. “At ESF, we are committed to creating a supportive community where students feel seen, heard, and empowered to seek help when they need it. This recognition affirms the intentional work taking place across campus to support every student’s success.”

ESF continues to expand awareness, outreach, prevention programming, and support services designed to meet students where they are while reducing barriers to care and normalizing help-seeking behaviors. Through the Counseling Center, TimelyCare, and a network of campus resources, students have access to services that promote resilience, emotional well-being, and academic success. 

As colleges and universities nationwide continue to address growing student mental health needs, ESF remains committed to investing in resources and programs that strengthen student wellness, resilience, and success. 

For more information about counseling and mental health support at ESF, visit the Counseling Center or contact the office at 315-470-4716. Additional information about the recognition is available through The Princeton Review 2027 Mental Health Services Honor Roll. 

About SUNY ESF     

The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is one of the nation's premier colleges focused on the study of the environment, developing renewable technologies, and building a sustainable future. ESF’s Mission is to educate future environmental leaders of all backgrounds, advance knowledge, and skills necessary to promote scholarship and stewardship of the natural to designed environments, and act both locally and globally to Improve Our World. ESF’s students, faculty, staff, and alumni make a global impact on improving and sustaining the environment. ESF offers a world-class education among a close-knit community of more than 2,000 scholars with common values and a shared sense of purpose. ESF’s tight-knit community is centered alongside Syracuse University in the heart of Central New York and has a system of properties spanning 25,000 acres that broadly represent New York state’s rich ecological diversity for scientific study and instruction.  To learn more, visit www.esf.edu.