STUDENT WELLNESS
MISSION AND VISION
Student Wellness at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business strives to support the holistic well-being of all 4,500 Ross students across all programs by embedding wellness within the student experience. Student Wellness is operationalizing the commitments of the university related to the Okanagan Charter: An International Charter for Health Promoting Universities and Colleges, in collaboration with the U-M Well-being Collective and the U-M Common Agenda for Wellbeing We aim to graduate students who are as skilled in supporting their personal and community wellness as they are in excelling as future business leaders
ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE YEAR
One of the top success stories for the last fiscal year is the hiring of Ross's first Director of Student Wellness. This pioneering role, housed within the Dean’s Office, is dedicated to serving the entire school, making it one of only two known internal wellness positions within a business school nationwide This initiative highlights the commitment to prioritizing the mental and emotional wellbeing of students, ensuring they have access to comprehensive support resources
This success directly contributes to achieving program objectives by allowing the Director of Student Wellness to establish a comprehensive wellness strategy tailored to the unique needs of Ross students. This strategy aligns with the U-M Common Agenda for Well-being, ensuring that the approach to student well-being is both cohesive and customized to the university community. By prioritizing mental and emotional health, we are enhancing the overall student experience and supporting their success in and out of the classroom.
VISION FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR
During the 2024-25 Academic Year, Student Wellness plans to integrate wellness into all aspects of Ross We will launch a series of programs focused on the eight dimensions of well-being
Physical well-being The role that one takes in maintaining their body for strength, vitality, and energy
Emotional/Mental well-being Being aware of and managing one ' s emotions, being at peace with oneself, and possessing the necessary tools to navigate life's ups and downs.
Environmental well-being Reflects the impact one ’ s environment (home, school, city, planet) has on oneself and the impact one has on the environment
Financial well-being. One’s relationship with money and skills for managing resources, as well as one ’ s ability to make good consumer choices and seek out appropriate financial opportunities
Occupational well-being The work one chooses to do and how it contributes to their community and fulfills them
Social well-being How one chooses to define and connect with their community and the people around them
Intellectual well-being. Feeling stimulated and engaged with learning and staying open to new ideas and perspectives
Spiritual well-being. One’s understanding of their place and purpose, how they make meaning of what happens to them, and what their mind goes to for comfort or relief
THINKING AHEAD
PROGRAM FUNDING PRIORITIES
Ross Wellness currently utilizes $50,000 in funds for all wellness programs following the Provost's approval of the new Director of Student Wellness role This funding will need to be continued by Ross after three years We are also piloting a program to bring Calm, a mental health app designed to reduce stress and anxiety, enhance focus, and support better sleep, to the entire Ross community, with an expected cost of approximately $38,000 per year for the next three years Donor support is crucial to launch the app and sustain these initiatives, as we aim to review the program ’ s success and potentially extend it at a total cost of $115,000 a year.
Beyond the upcoming fiscal year, Ross Wellness aims to grow in several areas:
Expand the Student Wellness team to include a full-time embedded Health and Well-Being Coach
Create a physical wellness space within the school, dependent on space availability and renovation considerations.
Establish an emergency fund for Ross students to utilize in case of emergencies when other campus options are unavailable
These priorities are essential for sustaining and enhancing wellness initiatives. Student wellness is a growing concern on college campuses and can become a barrier to success for students who are struggling to thrive. Providing prevention and support services can be key to ensuring students can make the most of their learning and establish lifelong healthy habits.
FROM THE TEAM
The addition of dedicated wellness initiatives within Ross is an exciting opportunity to lead in the student wellness space, equip future business leaders with the skills to make a positive difference in the world, and encourage students to develop personal wellbeing skills and resilience alongside their business acumen. With this work, Ross students can not only be leaders and best, but leaders at their best.
Kelly Higgins Director of Student Wellness
CONTACT INFORMATION
Kelly Higgins MSW, LMSW-Clinical, MBA Director of Student Wellness
734-647-8752 hikelly@umich edu
