Becca Morris headshot

HWS News

18 October 2026 Morris to Join Live Panel on Student Mental Health at The Little Theatre

HWS vice president for campus life will join WXXI’s Evan Dawson and regional voices for an in-person discussion of how colleges are addressing student mental health.

How are colleges and universities responding to growing concerns about student mental health? Dr. Becca Morris, Hobart and William Smith’s Vice President for Campus Life and Dean of Students, will join two other panelists for a live broadcast of “Connections with Evan Dawson” on Thursday, Oct. 22, at noon at The Little Theatre in Rochester.

The show will also air on HWS’ WEOS 89.5/90.3 FM. Community members are encouraged to attend the free, live discussion at The Little Theatre, located at 240 East Ave. in Rochester. Advance reservations are available through WXXI.

Presented by WXXI, “Connections on the Road: Mental Health on Campus” will bring together regional perspectives on the challenges facing college students and the ways institutions are working to support their emotional well-being. Drawing on data collected from more than 20 colleges and universities across the Rochester and Finger Lakes region, the conversation will explore campus programs and services, identify gaps in support and consider what approaches are making a difference. The broadcast will also include a student’s personal story.

As HWS’ senior student affairs officer, Morris oversees a broad range of student support services, including the Counseling Center, Hubbs Health Center, Housing and Residence Life, Student Engagement and Campus Safety. She was appointed Vice President for Campus Life and Dean of Students in 2021, following 11 years of service to HWS.

HWS is a JED Campus, participating in a multi-year collaboration with the nonprofit JED Foundation to assess and strengthen campus mental health, substance misuse and suicide prevention efforts. The initiative helps HWS evaluate existing resources and develop strategies to support student well-being.

Community members are encouraged to attend the free, live discussion at The Little Theatre, located at 240 East Ave. in Rochester. Advance reservations are available through WXXI.

For those unable to attend in person, the broadcast will air at noon on WXXI-FM 105.9 and stream on WXXI News and the WXXI News YouTube channel. The show will also air on HWS’ WEOS 89.5/90.3 FM. A podcast will also be available following the broadcast.