About Us

To meet this challenging time and rising need of students, it is imperative that Kent State University's healthy campus initiative focus on engaging and empowering students to thrive and live their best lives even in the face of continuing uncertainty, stress, and conflict. With this shift toward a holistic approach, the decision was made to rebrand from Kent State of Wellness to Kent State of Well-being. Kent State of Well-being's (KSoW) role is to prevent, support, and collaborate in ways that enhance both individuals and the community. This initiative builds a broad range of resources that will foster health equity, social justice, belonging, engagement, and self-advocacy, resulting in a thriving community.

Well-being: the state of being happy, healthy, or prosperous (credit: Merriam-Webster)

Now is the time to focus on the individual's holistic health and well-being and identify barriers and institutional structures that may impact that goal. This initiative works closely with students, faculty, staff, and community partners to deliver the most optimal programming. Kent State of Well-being works closely with the CARES Center, the Campus Mental Health Coalition, and the Student Mental Health Coalition to support non-clinical programs, services, and resources that help individuals build skills that improve health, well-being, and academic success.

Framework

We embrace the eight dimensions of well-being created by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Kent State of Well-being has chosen this model to guide the support and development of programs, services, and resources.

Division of Student Affairs

We embrace the values and commitments of Kent State University's Division of Student Affairs. We work to show empathy, respect, kindness, collaboration, and professional excellence in all that we do. We also pledge to implement the division commitments:

• Purposefully treat others with respect and kindness
• Seek to understand those we interact with on their terms
• Promote inclusion by example
• Interrupt harmful or exclusionary behavior
• Listen without judgment
• Encourage, engage, and share resources
• Intentionally validate and affirm all division staff
• Be open to learning about one's self and from others

The Kent State of Well-being's work falls under the division pillar of Advocacy, Support, and Well-being; with this guidance firmly grounding our work and actions, we articulate the mission, vision, and values that align and enhance the overall mission; to be 'students first.'