Nikita Cuvilje

Title: Assistant Director of Student Wellness
Phone Number: 848-932-9160
Education: BA, Rutgers University
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Nikita serves as the Assistant Director of Student Wellness at HOPE, where she provides leadership for campus‑wide wellness initiatives focused on mental health, suicide prevention, wellness coaching, and general well‑being. She helps guide the development of evidence‑informed interventions that address student needs across campus, utilizing a peer-to-peer model to promote skill building practices. Nikita strives to promote emotional wellness, increase awareness of the impact of mental health on academic success, and reduce the negative consequences of alcohol and other drug use that impact students.

A proud alumna of Rutgers University–Douglass College with her background in sociology and sexual and reproductive health education, Nikita brings more than a decade of experience in community health, HIV counseling and testing, and inclusive wellness programming. Prior to joining HOPE, she supported student well‑being through roles at the Tyler Clementi Center and the LGBTQ and Diversity Resource Center at Rutgers–Newark, where she championed affirming, student‑centered services. She is a Certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor, ACE Behavior Change Specialist, SIY Mindful Leadership practitioner, and NJ HIV test counselor who integrates art, meditation, sound healing, and breathwork into her approach to student wellness. Her work reflects a commitment to fostering a campus community grounded in holistic well‑being, skill‑building, and belonging.