The Salisbury campus is becoming one of only two historically Black colleges and universities in the country to receive the 2025 Excellence in Mental Health and Well-Being Award from Insight Into Academia magazine.

The award honors institutions that demonstrate a deep commitment to innovative mental wellness support in higher education.

At Livingstone, that work is led by a collaborative mental health task force composed of students, faculty and staff.

Livingstone first lady Dr. Jacqueline Davis serves as chair for the task force and well-being and wellness coordinator for the college.

Davis said the mental health initiative launched to address lingering wellness challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.

She said the goal of the task force is to support Livingstone’s counseling services by building a broader culture of wellness and care for students, staff and faculty members.

“Mainly, our whole focus has been removing the stigma so it’s OK not to be OK, and now to be able to talk about it,” Davis said.

Dr. Rhonda Flowers-Corpening, director of counseling services at Livingstone, meets regularly with students facing challenges like academic pressures, personal loss and emotional stress.

“Most of the time when students come to see me, they are frustrated, there is something that is going on,” Flowers-Corpening said.

Flowers-Corpening said the mental health task force casts a wider net to help those who need support services.

“Paying attention and making sure we meet people where they are without expectation,” Flowers-Corpening said. “As our first lady said — it’s OK not to be OK.”

A recent report from The Steve Fund shows nearly 60% of HBCU students experience at least one mental health challenge. The top stressors include academics, relationships and grief.

However, the same report also shows students at HBCUs report stronger resilience and a greater sense of belonging than their peers at predominantly white institutions.

Bright Osei Karikari is a Livingstone student and member of the campus task force. He feels having a dedicated mental health space and task force on campus helps his peers feel seen and empowered.

“It helped me too,” said Osei Karikari. “So it’s helping myself to help someone.”

The college’s work will be featured in the September issue of Insight Into Academia.

Other North Carolina awardees for 2025 Excellence in Mental Health and Well-Being include Wake Technical Community College and Brevard College.