Kristin Cleverley named the inaugural Rossy Chair in Campus Mental Health at the University of Toronto
Oct 10, 2024
Supported by a generous gift from The Rossy Foundation, this important research chair is poised to make a huge impact on student mental health at U of T, across Canada – and beyond
Kristin Cleverley will be the first Rossy Chair in Campus Mental Health at the University of Toronto. Photo by Horst Herget
Renowned researcher Kristin Cleverley has kicked off a five-year term as the inaugural Rossy Chair in Campus Mental Health, a critical role that will take the University of Toronto’s leadership in nurturing student wellness and student mental health to a new level of excellence and national impact. A strategic investment by The Rossy Foundation – to transform how Canadian campuses approach mental health – enabled U of T to establish this vital new chair.
“The Rossy Foundation’s commitment to enhancing the way we deliver mental health care on campus is inspiring,” said Sandy Welsh, vice-provost, students, at the University of Toronto. “And with the Foundation’s support, Kristin Cleverley will undoubtedly enhance U of T’s global standing as a leader in student mental health research – and help establish the model for meeting the needs of students here at U of T and across the country.”
We have a historic opportunity to make big strides in student mental health – at U of T, in Canada and around the world.
As the Rossy Chair in Campus Mental Health, Cleverley will carry out critical research to inform U of T’s efforts to harmonize and enhance the way the university delivers mental health services across its three campuses. She will also provide key leadership in transitional-aged youth mental health at post-secondary institutions and the full range of student mental health experiences – from community and individual well-being to clinical intervention. The ultimate goal: improving the lives of students.
We have a historic opportunity to make big strides in student mental health – at U of T, in Canada and around the world.
“Kristin Cleverley will bring strong leadership and expertise as the Rossy Chair in Campus Mental Health,” said Sara Pedersen from The Rossy Foundation. “This critical new role will build on our progress to date – elevating the bar for campus wellness services and improving students’ lives.”
An award-winning leader in student mental health research
The award-winning Cleverley currently serves as the director of the Inlight Student Mental Health Research Initiative, where she has spearheaded significant partnerships within U of T’s Student Mental Health Team and health centres – resulting in innovative projects that span the university’s three campuses. She is also a distinguished associate professor at the Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing at U of T and the CAMH Chair in Mental Health Nursing Research. Her findings have appeared in more than 90 academic papers and she has received over $20 million in research funding as a principal or co-principal investigator.
“It’s an honour to assume the Rossy Chair in Campus Mental Health,” said Cleverley. “We have a historic opportunity to make big strides in student mental health – at U of T, in Canada and around the world. I’m so grateful for The Rossy Foundation’s ongoing passion for making our campuses healthier and more compassionate places.”
Emerging out of recommendations made by U of T’s Presidential and Provostial Task Force on Student Mental Health, the Rossy Chair is the lynchpin of a larger portfolio of student mental health research and programming at U of T that has been made possible by The Rossy Foundation – including the Best Practices Network in Canadian Higher Education (BP-Net), the Canadian Campus Well-Being Survey and various efforts focused on mental health literacy, education and early intervention. These initiatives have added to what we know about student mental health, strengthening our ability to assess and evaluate mental health and wellness centres at Canadian universities and helping create a more accessible, supportive and well-informed post-secondary environment in our country – one that is bolstered by compassion and community.
Professor Cleverley has worked diligently to improve student and youth mental health through co-designed research and collaboration. Her highly sought-after expertise and wealth of experience as a nurse researcher are a testament to her leadership.
“For many years, Professor Cleverley has worked diligently to improve student and youth mental health through co-designed research and collaboration,” said Robyn Stremler, dean of the Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing. “Her highly sought-after expertise and wealth of experience as a nurse researcher are a testament to her leadership and we are proud that she has been selected for this inaugural position.”
Professor Cleverley has worked diligently to improve student and youth mental health through co-designed research and collaboration. Her highly sought-after expertise and wealth of experience as a nurse researcher are a testament to her leadership.
Championing changemakers in student wellness
The Rossy Foundation is a Montreal-based private foundation with the mission to improve the lives of Canadians and Canadian society. The Foundation supports initiatives that foster healthy and resilient communities and champions changemakers and leading organizations that are solving complex and persistent social problems. In recent years, the Foundation has been instrumental in transforming how U of T addresses mental health challenges among students. This support has ensured that faculty, staff and students are educated, trained and empowered to foster a culture of health and wellness across the entire university, helping U of T offer more timely access to mental health care that’s tailored to each student’s needs.
A significant gift from The Rossy Foundation is also fueling U of T’s efforts to renovate the Health and Wellness Centre in the Koffler Student Services Centre on the St. George campus. With construction set to start next year, the renovation will nearly triple the footprint of Health and Wellness. The new space will be bright, airy and welcoming, enabling the university to take a more accessible, holistic and student-centered approach to its programs and services.
As the Rossy Chair in Campus Mental Health, Cleverley will extend and deepen U of T’s existing efforts to optimize the way it delivers mental health services to students.
“We’ve come a long way with the support of The Rossy Foundation,” said Cleverley. “I’m so excited to continue the important work we’ve started – and honoured to help U of T as it sets the standard for student mental health in Canada.”
