William Paterson University has announced that Dr. Jill Guzman, DNP, has been named its first chief wellness officer. Guzman has overseen and provided outstanding and comprehensive medical and behavioral services to students at the Wayne-based university for more than two decades.
In this new role, she will lead WPU’s efforts to develop stronger partnerships with state, regional, and local healthcare systems and related agencies, as well as pursue new grant opportunities in health and wellness areas.
Guzman will also work across the university on initiatives focused on improving the health and well-being of students, faculty and staff, collaborating with a wide range of offices within the institution, including the Division of Student Development, the Division of Human Resources, the Division of Equity and Inclusion and the Office of Sponsored Programs, along with individual academic and co-curricular programs.
She will also continue to provide medical oversight of health practices and consult on patient care as needed.
“The health and well-being of the William Paterson community is fundamental to the success of our students, faculty, and staff,” said President Richard J. Helldobler.
“Dr. Guzman’s proven leadership in her field and on our campus will be invaluable as we strengthen our focus on this vital area and further build on our position as one of New Jersey’s leading health care educators through new partnerships and programs.”
She will continue to provide administrative oversight to the University’s Counseling, Health, and Wellness Center (CHWC), of which she has served as director since 2013.
In that role, her responsibilities have included supervision of primary health care, personal counseling, health education, prevention services and co-curricular educational opportunities for a student population of more than 12,000.
Her leadership has been central to the launch of recent programs. Guzman secured a $462,000 Mental Health in Higher Education: Community Provider Partnerships and Professional Development Grant from the New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education to expand student mental health services on campus, including the creation of an innovative student relaxation lounge for the neurodivergent population located in the University’s Cheng Library.
As co-chair of WP’s annual Wellness Day program, which she helped establish in 2022, she organizes community health and wellness activities on a day when no classes are scheduled.
Guzman is a graduate of Villanova University with a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. She holds a Master of Science degree in nursing, pediatric nurse practitioner, from Seton Hall University, and a doctor of nursing practice from William Paterson University.
She is a lifelong resident of Wayne, where she lives with her husband and two sons.
