Nika Gueci

Dr. Nika Gueci is a born and bred New Yorker who moved to the desert to advance Arizona State University’s Charter of inclusion and belonging. Dr. Gueci serves as the Executive Director of University Engagement, Office of the Chief Wellness Officer at Arizona State University and supports a vibrant community of over 180,000 students and 23,000 faculty and staff. Previously, she served as Executive Director of ASU’s Center for Mindfulness, Compassion, and Resilience, advancing resilience and well-being through translational research, academic courses, and public health initiatives.

In her past role at ASU as Associate Director of Wellness, she spearheaded the launch of ASU’s first Collegiate Recovery Program. She successfully scaled an innovative, outcomes-focused model, prioritizing inclusivity for students recovering from substance use disorders. As Deputy Director of the City University of New York Institute for Health Equity, she led initiatives addressing healthy food access, environmental stressors, and hospital needs assessments to advance equitable health outcomes. At New Mexico State University, she established the first suicide prevention call line serving the entire Southern New Mexico region.

Nika has delivered more than 1,000 presentations, including workshops, keynotes, and media appearances on outlets such as NPR, Good Morning Arizona, and ASU News. Her policy advocacy includes presenting recommendations on collegiate recovery to the Acting Director of National Drug Control Policy and insights on student loneliness trends to the U.S. Surgeon General.

Nika co-chairs the Mental Well-Being Committee for the Arizona Department of Health Services, leading a state-wide initiative to reduce loneliness and social isolation. Recognized as one of Arizona’s top 50 leaders in 2023 by Women We Admire and named the 2024 Emerging Leader by Arizona Women in Higher Education. She also served as a Senior Fellow, Strategic Initiatives at ASU’s Learning Enterprise, leading personal development ventures aimed at empowering learners to reach their full potential.

Dr. Nika Gueci actively contributes to animal welfare by serving on the Arizona Veterinary Medical Association Wellness Task Force. She is a registered yoga teacher. She holds an EdD in Leadership and Innovation from Arizona State University, an MA in Communication from New Mexico State University, and a BA in Russian from Columbia University in the City of New York. She is currently pursuing her MBA at the University of Arizona.