South Middlesex Times

Brandon Wildman, a graduate student in applied psychology at Rutgers University-New Brunswick, is poised to make a significant impact in the field by addressing inequalities in mental and physical health care for underserved communities. His career aspiration is to work for a federal organization like the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, striving to implement systemic mental health improvements.

Wildman, 23, is concluding his second year in the master’s program at the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology. Initially a pre-med student at Stockton University, a psychology course unexpectedly pivoted his path. “I never considered doing psychology until I had to take a gen course at Stockton,” Wildman explained. His affinity for psychology led him to opt for a master's in the field instead of medicine, with a particular distaste for organic chemistry influencing his decision.

The decision to study at Rutgers stemmed from the university's national stature. “Honestly, the name recognition,” Wildman admitted, referring to Rutgers as a top 15 public university in the United States. His academic interests focus on mental health advocacy, policy, and addressing disparities in healthcare access.

Currently serving as vice president of external affairs for the Rutgers Graduate Student Association, Wildman is committed to fostering student engagement across the Rutgers graduate community. The association organizes events including community activities and formal mental health gatherings. A planned delegation trip to Washington, D.C. aims to discuss Rutgers-specific issues with policymakers.

In January 2024, Wildman joined the Racial Equity, Advocacy and Community Health Alliance at the Rutgers Center of Alcohol and Substance Use Studies. This alliance unites researchers and community members to tackle health disparities driven by systemic racism. As part of this group, Wildman was involved in conducting surveys for a New Jersey needs assessment to identify gaps in community resources.

Alexandria Bauer, an assistant professor and director of the REACH Alliance, remarked on the initiative as a collaborative effort to “empower communities and advocate for policies to improve mental health and well-being.”

Wildman, while reflecting on his passion for public policy, shared, “Politics really bleeds into every aspect of life… I would love to be a public health adviser or health communication specialist." He emphasized the urgent need to integrate mental health into healthcare, acknowledging the stigma it has long faced.

Kim Spinelli contributed to this article.