Dr. Victor Schwartz, Dean of Students, has been appointed co-chair of the UJA-Federation of New York’s Mental-Health Taskforce. The taskforce appropriates funding to agencies, organizations, mental health institutions and schools as well as programs geared toward children and families in the United States and Israel. It also develops original programs, such as last year’s mental health training initiative for Hillel staff on college campuses across America.

Schwartz has also been named an advisor to the JED Foundation, an organization that focuses on preventing suicide and reducing emotional distress in college students, and appointed to the New York City Higher Education Taskforce on Student Wellness and Anti-Bullying. At JED he will be part of a committee to ensure a national standard of student services and support on college campuses. The NYC Taskforce, formed by Councilwoman Christine Quinn in response to a suicide at Rutgers last year, examines mental health concerns and university student affairs administration across New York City.