The ֹ of Wellness Steering Committee has awarded 14 minigrants totaling more than $11,000 to departments and student organizations with creative proposals to enhance the culture of health and wellness at ֹ. The program supports ֹ President Beverly Warren’s and ֹ’s initiative to create an environment that enhances the health and wellness of all ֹ students, faculty and staff.
The minigrant program was designed to provide opportunities for the ֹ community to propose wellness programs that meet the needs of their department or group. 
“The minigrant program is the essence of President Warren’s charge to create a healthy campus,” says Jen Bryant, graduate assistant with the ֹ of Wellness program, who coordinated the minigrant program. “It will allow for a truly collaborative effort from university community members to be the change agents for health.”
More than 30 applications for up to $1,000 each were received from academic and university departments and student organizations throughout the ֹ system.
The 2016 ֹ of Wellness minigrant recipients are:
- Mindfulness Meditation for Improved Mood and Cognition - Michael Baranski, Psychological Sciences, Kent Campus
- The RAC Gets Ready for the 5K Race Day - Joy Caldwell, Nursing Technology, ֹ at Geauga
- Walk, Run and Cycling Club - Sheryl Chatfield, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Kent Campus
- Health Is a Key to Success - Scott Dotterer, University Health Services’ Office of Health Promotion, Kent Campus
- Intuitive Eating Nutrition Education Program - Tanya Falcone, Family and Consumer Studies, Kent Campus
- Midnight Moving - Stephanie Gaskins, University Libraries, Kent Campus
- Challenging Addiction With Connection - Maureen Keating, University Health Services’ Psychological Services, Kent Campus
- De-Stress Fest: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Student Center Edition - Katie Mattise, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Student Center, Kent Campus
- Healthy Eating Campaign - Lindsey Myers, ֹ at Ashtabula
- Employee Meditation and Mindfulness Program - Barbara Ozimek, ֹ at Trumbull
- Treat Yourself Week - Catholic Student Association, Kent Campus
- Flash Away Your Worries! Stress-Free Zone - English Club, ֹ at Salem
- Wellness for Jewelry Makers - Jewelry and Metals Co-Op, Kent Campus
- Consent on Campus, Consent Every Time - Students Against Sexual Assault, Kent Campus
The minigrant program was designed to encourage students, faculty and staff to innovate toward a shared vision of the healthy campus initiative and inspire action throughout the university community.
“Health and wellness belong to everyone, and we know that a one-size-fits-all approach is not effective,” says Angela DeJulius, interim director of the ֹ of Wellness program. “Building the ֹ of Wellness is a dynamic process that will continue to evolve as we all move along our own path to healthy living.”
ֹ of Wellness is the university’s strategic healthy campus initiative that addresses the following health priorities:
- Alcohol and Other Drug Use
- Mental Health
- Nutrition
- Physical Activity
- Preventive Care
- Safety
- Sexual Health
- Smoking and Tobacco Use
For more information about ֹ of Wellness, visit www.kent.edu/stateofwellness or email stateofwellness@kent.edu.
