Project ACCESS: Achieving College Completion Through Engaged Support Services

College students from minoritized backgrounds face significant health disparities, such as higher risks for mental and physical health concerns, food and income insecurity, and substance use and HIV than non-minoritized students. These disparities pose challenges to students’ academic success, retention, graduation and transition to the workforce. Project ACCESS (Achieving College Completion through Engaged Support Services) aims to enhance the success, health and quality of life of college students who have been minoritized and marginalized in society. Project ACCESS is comprised of three flagship programs, each generously supported by grants from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. These programs offer innovative and responsive strategies to promote health equity and support the success and quality of life for all of our students.

Project ACCESS is an organization on campus that strives to promote student well-being through mental health, sexual health, substance use prevention and recovery support, and offering education and resources to enhance the quality of life of our students and reduce the impact of health disparities that our students may face. Project ACCESS offers 1:1 appointments so that students can meet with trained peer-navigators (other students on campus!) to help them identify resources that support their current concerns (e.g., tutoring, mental health counseling, testing for sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, income and food insecurity, and other concerns). Project ACCESS also offers campus-wide events and workshops addressing topics related to academic success and enhanced quality of life. A great way to get involved with Project ACCESS is by becoming a member of our Peer Advisory Board. We’re looking to connect with other students who are interested in sharing their ideas about our work, events we host (e.g., workshops, tabling events, etc.), and students who are interested in getting involved with our projects. Being involved in the Peer Advisory Board is a great item to include on your resume and is a rewarding way to get involved on campus! You can find more info and the interest form here.