'WE CARE On the Go' Initiative Promotes Health and Wellness in the College

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Members of the College of Education and Health Professions out on a "WE CARE On the Go" guided walk.

The College of Education and Health Professions' caring culture, one of three priorities in Dean Kate Mamiseishvili's WE CARE strategic plan, empowers students, faculty, staff and external stakeholders to thrive in all aspects of their lives.

WE CARE On the Go is helping move the priority forward by encouraging the college's faculty, staff and graduate assistants to thrive by working their bodies and minds throughout their workday. This new initiative promotes physical and mental well-being in the workplace while creating opportunities for engagement and camaraderie among coworkers.

Yoga, mindfulness sessions, guided campus walks and more are part of WE CARE On the Go programming throughout the month of April. During each activity, participants are encouraged to unplug and focus on their physical and mental well-being.

A few weeks into this new initiative, those taking advantage of programming have reported a significantly positive change in their workday.

"The highlight for me has been connecting with colleagues outside the office," said Lauren Selby, assistant director of development. 

"It's important that we make an effort to take care of ourselves because, after all, we are the college of the caring professions," she added.

"I love it," said Stacy Stuart, the college's assistant dean for research and grant administration. "As a manager, it's great to feel empowered to work physical activity into my day and encourage my employees to do the same."

Erin Howie Hickey, associate professor of exercise science and the faculty adviser for Exercise is Medicine on Campus, is working with a team of graduate students to implement a college-wide step challenge throughout the month.

Faculty, staff and graduate assistants were placed on teams according to their departments to see who can accumulate the most steps by the end of the month. The friendly competition encourages walking meetings and short walking breaks during the day.

Nic Bellegarde, a current doctoral student in counselor education, is one of many helping lead activities during the month. He's used his expertise to help expand programming to cover mental well-being and led a mindfulness walk across campus during the total solar eclipse on April 8.

"Learning to cultivate mental well-being through mindfulness is a crucial skill," he said. "If everyone were to focus on mental well-being in this way, even for only five minutes per day, we can realize a reduction in stress and an increase in joy and well-being."

Associate Dean for Administration Paul Calleja, who spearheaded the movement and has led several activities, hopes those in the college will continue prioritizing their mental and physical well-being even after WE CARE On the Go officially ends this year.

"We want to build habits and help people have successful experiences," Calleja said. "Of course, it's important to be active during the day, but it's equally important to see yourself achieve goals because that will inspire you to keep going and building on a positive foundation."

About the College of Education and Health Professions: The College of Education and Health Professions' six departments prepare students for a range of careers in education and health. In addition to its longstanding role of preparing educators and educational leaders, the college trains nurses, speech-language pathologists, public health specialists, recreation and sports professionals, counselors, occupational therapists, athletic trainers, and exercise scientists.