Date

8-2-2026

ESRP 9000 Professor

Daniel Turner, Ed.D.

ESRP 9001 Professor

Daniel Turner, Ed.D.

Executive Summary

Executive Summary

Shifting from Reactive to Proactive Mental Health Services: A Strategic Action Plan for Student Success. Julia M. Cespedes 2026: Strategic Research Project, Nova Southeastern University, Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice. Keywords: carnegie classification (R1), carnegie community engagement classification, doctoral-research university, Hispanic-serving institution (HSI), shared leadership This strategic research project was designed to develop an evidence-based action plan that shifts the organization from a predominantly reactive mental health service model to a proactive, stepped-care approach. The purpose of the project was to address a critical internal weakness identified through organizational analysis: the institution’s reliance on crisis-driven responses that result in long wait times, overburdened staff, missed opportunities for early intervention, and equity gaps between online and residential students. By applying strategic planning frameworks including a strengths-weaknesses opportunities-threats analysis, internal and external factor evaluation matrices, and the quantitative strategic planning matrix, the project evaluated four possible solutions and selected the adoption of a stepped-care model with tiered interventions as the most feasible and impactful choice. This model combines digital screening tools, such as the PHQ-4 and GAD-7, with routine outcome monitoring to enable earlier identification of student distress and more efficient allocation of limited counseling resources. The five-phase action plan spans fiscal year 2027-2028 and includes a comprehensive needs assessment and stakeholder engagement, platform selection and technical integration, staff training and change management, a phased pilot implementation with real-time monitoring and user feedback, and full-scale rollout supported by a sustainability plan. This structured approach emphasizes equity through targeted outreach and accessibility features while building organizational capacity through interprofessional training and data-driven decision-making. If implemented, the initiative would likely improve screening completion rates, reduce average counseling wait times by 15% to 20%, and narrow equity gaps between student populations. Recommendations for sustaining and strengthening the model include embedding it into existing governance structures, expanding continuous professional development for staff, establishing formal feedback mechanisms with students and faculty, and conducting longitudinal research on long-term impacts on retention and academic outcomes. These steps would position the organization to deliver more responsive, equitable, and efficient mental health support aligned with its mission of student-centered excellence.

Document Type

Strategic Research Project-NSU Access Only

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

College

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and the School of Criminal Justice

Concentration

Higher Education Leadership

Language

English

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