Tara R. Schuster, MS, MCHES joined the RPI Student Health Center in 2008. She received her Bachelor's degree from the University of New Hampshire and her Master's of Science degree in Community Health Education from The Sage Colleges. Tara is a Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES), credentialed through the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. Tara is also a certified College Health and Wellness Professional (CHWP), credentialed through the American College Health Association's Leadership Institute. Tara has been working in higher education since 1998, having served as a Health Educator at Emory University in Atlanta, GA and Health Educator/Faculty at University of Virginia previous to coming to RPI.
Tara is the 2019 recipient of the "LGBTQIA+ Staff Award," recognized at the 2019 Rensselaer Lavender Graduation Ceremony for her contributions to creating a more welcoming and inclusive campus community. Tara is a 2016 recipient of "Rensselaer's Honorary Phalanx Award," distinguished among her peers in the areas of leadership, service, and devotion to Rensselaer and its students. Tara is also a 2014 Staff Inductee of the Patroon Chapter of the National Residence Hall Honorary Society at Rensselaer, recognized for her contributions to the health and wellness of students living in residential housing on the Rensselaer campus.
Tara's special interests include alcohol and other drug harm reduction, LGBTQ+ awareness/support, and justice, equity, diversity and inclusion work.
Lauryn Maleski, BS joined RPI in August 2022 after earning a Bachelor of Science in Human Development from Binghamton University in 2019. She is currently pursuing a Master of Education in Trauma-Informed Education. At RPI, Lauryn focuses on mental health programming, helping students build resilience, confidence, and emotional regulation skills.
Before RPI, Lauryn worked in reproductive health care, providing comprehensive sexuality education and life skills development to patients in a rural clinic. She also collaborated with K-12 schools to deliver education on mental health, suicide prevention, gender and sexuality, nutrition, and violence prevention.
Lauryn’s interests include trauma and resilience, mindfulness, and LGBTQ+ rights. In her free time, she enjoys reading, going to the gym, and spending time with her partner and their two cats, Pabu and Marceline.
