National recognition of institutions that commit to campus-wide integration of mental health initiatives, including accessible services, peer support, emotional resilience, and proactive policy.
Phoenix, Ariz., August 6, 2026—Today, GateWay Community College received the 2026 Excellence in Mental Health and Well-Being Award from Insight Into Academia magazine.
The Excellence in Mental Health and Well-Being Award is a measure of an institution’s individual programs and initiatives that significantly advance core values of student and employee mental health and well-being through programs, initiatives, and other campus priorities deserving of this national recognition.
GateWay will be featured, along with 37 other recipients, in the September 2026 issue of Insight Into Academia magazine.
“This recognition affirms our belief that well-being is not an extra — it is essential to student success, employee engagement and a thriving college community,” said Kerry Sanderson, GateWay’s Well-Being Senior Project Manager. At GateWay, we have worked to translate the science of positive psychology into practical, everyday experiences that help people feel connected, supported and empowered to flourish. I am incredibly proud that this work has been shaped not only by research, but also by the voices, strengths and creativity of our students and employees.”
Insight Into Academia magazine selected GateWay because it has developed a comprehensive, research-informed approach that embeds positive psychology throughout the college experience. “At the center are GateWay’s 5C’s of Well-Being: character, care, connection, contribution, and career,” said Dr. Amy Diaz, GateWay President. “These serve as both the college’s core values and its framework for supporting the growth of the entire community.” Well-being is integrated into strategic planning, teaching and learning, employee development, leadership, team culture and student support.
“We know that institutions are not always recognized for their dedication to and prioritizing mental health and well-being services and support for their students and employees,” says Lenore Pearlstein, owner and publisher of Insight Into Academia magazine. “We are proud to honor the colleges and universities who are standouts as the need for these resources continues to grow substantially.”
For more information about the 2026 Excellence in Mental Health and Well-Being Award, visit insightintoacademia.com.
About Insight Into Academia
Insight Into Academia magazine is the leader in advancing best practices in higher education excellence. Through thought-provoking print and online articles, we share expert advice, valuable resources, in-depth profiles of top programs at colleges and universities, headline news, and much more to help keep our readers informed and empower them to advance initiatives at their institutions.
About GateWay Community College
As one of the 10 Maricopa Community Colleges, GateWay Community College is a fully accredited public institution of higher education located in Phoenix, Ariz., with four campuses conveniently located across the Valley. Offering more than 160 certificate and associate degree programs in areas such as Automotive, Business and Information Technology, Health Sciences, Industrial Technology, Nursing and University Transfer, GateWay has emerged as a leading institution to meet the needs of business and industry. Visit www.gatewaycc.edu or call 602-286-8000 for more information.
Locations: Central City Campus (1245 E. Buckeye Road); Deer Valley (2931 W. Bell Road); Washington Campus (108 N. 40th Street) and GateWay at 18th Street (555 N. 18th Street).