A Reflection of the Space and Well-being with Raphael D. Florestal-Kevelier, PhD, MPH

Restorative Works!

Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Raphael D. Florestal-Kevelier, PhD, MPH, to the Restorative Works! Podcast, public health series. In this series of episodes, we discuss the US Surgeon General's recent report, Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation with experts in the public health field.

Dr. Florestal-Kevelier discusses the significance of creating physical spaces where college students can find a sense of belonging and comfort, particularly in historically marginalized communities. He provides examples of spaces that genuinely reflect the identity and culture of respective college communities through art and imagery. He illustrates how administrators can honor the diverse strengths of the communities they serve by collaborating with them, rather than imposing theoretical and research-based frameworks on them. His research and practice focus on advancing health equity in the university context, cultivating health-promoting campus environments, and improving the academic and social experiences of Black queer and transgender students.

Currently serving as the inaugural Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Health and Well-being at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), Dr. Florestal-Kevelier is leading the integration of critical health and wellness programs and services, all while advancing a public health-grounded and community-oriented approach to supporting student health and well-being. With over 15 years of experience in scholarship, practice, and teaching focused on the well-being of university students, he also serves as a clinical assistant professor of community health sciences and is an affiliate faculty member of the Division of Gender and Women's Studies at UIC. Dr. Florestal-Kevelier currently serves as the president-elect of the American College Health Association and is a founding partner of the Collaborative Center for Restorative Practices in Higher Education at the IIRP Graduate School.