Students across two courses (ENS 1100: Humans and Nature (Spring 2025)聽and WHE 2850: Perspectives in Personal and Global Health聽(Spring 2025)) completed eight outdoor sit spots over the course of a month as part of a course assignment. Students were asked to spend time in an outdoor space on campus, and quietly observe their surroundings, noting a range of sensory experiences, and reflect on the changes in that space over time. Using a pre- and post-test model, they found statistically significant improvements in mindfulness, positive affect, and nature connectedness in students across the two courses.

The newly published article, “,” is authored by Elon faculty, Kelsey Bitting and Jill McSweeney, Elon alum Elyssa Kaufman 鈥�25 (Environmental Sciences), and graduating senior, Kira Campagna 鈥�26, an elementary education major, with a minor in environmental education). The work builds on growing research connecting nature exposure and contemplative practices with improved student wellness and academic outcomes.

Student researchers, Kaufman and Campagna, played a central role throughout the project and have at several undergraduate research and pedagogical conferences. Their project work specifically examined how outdoor mindfulness practices influenced mood, mindful awareness, and students鈥� relationship with nature. Their presentations highlighted significant increases in positive affect, nature connectedness and mindfulness among students who completed the sit spot assignment.

In collaboration with Evan Small, additional research this past academic year recruited over 80 students across four courses (i.e., ENS 1100: Humans and Nature (Fall 2025), WHE 1150: Stress and Wellness (Fall 2025), HEU 1719: Foraging and Wild Foods (Fall 2025), and COR 3555: Foraging Wild Food and Medicine (Spring 鈥�26)). Using data from these four courses, graduating senior, Abigail Manning (Environmental Sciences) recently explored how sit spots affect students鈥� mindfulness and nature connectivity across different majors and disciplines. Her research found that students in nature-focused majors often experienced even stronger gains in mindfulness and nature connectedness through the sit spot practice.

The research team plans to continue building on these findings over the summer. Kiley Sherlock 鈥�27, an environmental sciences major, will conduct qualitative analysis on student reflections for her Summer Undergraduate Research Experience, exploring how students define nature and further exploring how the sit spot practice impacts student stress across the semester. The team also plans on additional publications exploring the impact of student demographics, and focus on a practice-oriented piece on how to support colleagues to bring contemplative pedagogies which incorporate nature into their classrooms to support the wellbeing of students and themselves.

Together, the project reflects Elon鈥檚 commitment to engaged learning and undergraduate research, while also contributing meaningful scholarship to conversations around student wellness, mindfulness, and environmental connection.

For the past 12 years, the Faculty/Staff Health & Wellness Clinic聽has聽organized聽a challenge聽for聽Elon employees each fall to walk a聽set distance聽of miles to build community, have fun and win prizes. A spring challenge was recently added. Each challenge is themed and, in聽fall聽2025, the theme was, 鈥淟et鈥檚 Go Racing Elon 200,鈥� inspired by NASCAR.

The challenges are organized by Belinda Day, wellness coordinator for the Faculty/Staff Health & Wellness Clinic. She loves聽coming up with聽new themes for the challenges and being creative with the prizes.

鈥淚 do the Fall and Spring聽walking聽challenge because it keeps me moving, keeps me accountable and reminds me to take time for myself聽amidst聽the hustle and bustle of daily life,” she said.

Day added that the challenge聽provides聽employees聽an easy way聽to聽practice wellness,聽both聽mentally and physically.聽She coordinates with leadership to schedule the challenges and to ensure the events are aligned with overall wellness goals to foster a more active and engaged work environment while fostering team collaboration and reducing stress.

鈥淚 put on the聽spring and聽fall聽walking聽challenge to give our employees a simple, fun and accessible way to support their health, reduce stress聽and stay connected as a team.”

-Belinda Day,聽wellness coordinator for the Faculty/Staff Health & Wellness Clinic

In spring 2025, the walking challenge theme was 鈥淕rand Slam Tennis,鈥� which saw a similar number of walkers聽participating聽in聽teams. This year, 118 teams out of the 151 who entered completed 180 cumulative miles. An聽additional聽71 teams finished the challenge with each team reporting a minimum of 360 miles walked.

鈥淚t’s a fun and simple way for everyone to step away from their screens and connect with each other,鈥� said Day.聽鈥淧lus, I love seeing how these programs not only improve physical health but also build a sense of community in the workplace.鈥�

A new walking challenge will be announced during the spring semester.

Four projects were announced in February and include a Puppy Yoga event, an arts and crafts service initiatives, establishing a peer support program for nursing students and renovating the philosophy suite in Spence Pavilion.

Inside Higher Ed spoke with Anu聽R盲is盲nen, director of HealthEU Initiatives about selecting the projects.

鈥淭he goal is that students come and share their experience, like they would do with undergraduate research as well, and then we build that momentum,”聽R盲is盲nen told Inside Higher Ed. 鈥淭he best way to get a message to students is word of mouth; you just need to find the right students to spread the word.鈥�’

More information about Elon’s HealthEU Initiatives and the new HealthEU Center can be found on HealthEU website.

Each proposal was reviewed by three members of the Student Wellness Innovation Grant Committee and was graded based on the rationale, significance, feasibility, innovation, potential impact and alignment with HealthEU and the university鈥檚 mission to positively impact student well-being and success.

The four funded proposals include a Puppy Yoga event, an arts and crafts service initiative, establishing a peer support program for nursing students and renovating the philosophy suite in Spence Pavilion.

鈥淚 am delighted to see that the four projects that received the highest scores cover a variety of topics and focus on different dimensions of well-being,鈥� said Anu R盲is盲nen, director of HealthEU Initiatives and the chair of the Student Wellness Innovation Grant Committee. 鈥淚 am looking forward to this grant competition growing in the future. I believe that through the student wellness innovation grants we can identify great ideas that can be expanded into university wide initiatives future.鈥�

鈥淪erving on the Student Wellness Innovation Grant Committee was an exciting experience,鈥� said Marna Winter, senior lecturer of education. 鈥淚t was inspiring to see the innovative and thoughtful ideas students from diverse departments proposed to enhance wellness and support HealthEU initiatives on campus. Their creativity and commitment to fostering a healthier, more connected campus community were truly impressive.鈥�

鈥淚 would like to thank the members of the Student Wellness Innovation Grant Committee for their work on setting up the grant competition and thoughtfully reviewing the grants,鈥� said R盲is盲nen. 鈥淚 also want to acknowledge all the work that took place before this committee came together. We are grateful to Jana Lynn Patterson, Anita Hodnett and Charlotte Williams for their work with the Andrew G. Bennett endowment and establishing this committee.鈥�

Spring 2025 Andrew G Bennett 鈥�08 Student Wellness Innovation Grant Winners

Building Philosophical Community

Applicant: Morgan Seate and Phi Sigma Tau (Philosollamas)

The aim of this project is the renovation and redecoration of the philosophy suite in Spence Pavilion to transform this space into a vibrant, welcoming hub for philosophical inquiry and connection. The renovated philosophy suite will provide a space that enhances both student experience and well-being by fostering community, intellectual curiosity, and personal reflection.

Nursing Fellows Volunteer and Service Initiative

Applicant: Meredith Korwan and the Nursing Fellows

The Nursing Fellows program is committed to enriching nursing students鈥� clinical experience through meaningful volunteer and service-learning opportunities. This grant will support the Nursing Fellows arts and crafts program with the UNC Children鈥檚 Hospital to enhance the patient experience by creating moments of joy and normalcy as well as encourage emotional healing through hands-on, creative expression.

Nursing Student Critical Incident Stress Debrief

Applicant: Taylor Capello

The purpose of this project is to support nursing students鈥� mental well-being by fostering a supportive environment where students can safely express their emotions outside of an academic setting. The project comprises peer support training, regular meetings and evaluation.

Puppy Yoga

Applicant: Naomi Lockamy and the School of Health Sciences Diversity Committee

The event will combine calming yoga with mindfulness techniques to promote well-being, along with the joy of puppy therapy to boost mood and bring some lighthearted fun to a student鈥檚 day. Whether students are looking for a break from the stresses of school or seeking ways to connect with others, this event will offer a safe space for graduate and undergraduate students to unwind, practice self-care, and build meaningful connections with one another.

Student Wellness Innovation Grant Committee

Anu R盲is盲nen, committee chair, director of HealthEU Initiatives and assistant professor
Emma Calhoun, graduate apprentice, Odyssey Program
Charles Evans, counselor, counseling services
Seth Lasher, graduate apprentice, Student Professional Development Center
Marna Winter, senior lecturer of education, Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education

The William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust has continued its generous support of 福利亚洲国产精品 with a $500,000 grant to the university鈥檚 new HealthEU Center that will also create scholarships in the Nursing Fellows program.

Elon has set a $25 million fundraising goal to make the HealthEU Center a reality. To date, donors have contributed nearly $16 million to the project that will bring academic, wellness, campus recreation and fitness programs together under one roof to support student well-being and serve faculty and staff. Scheduled to open in summer 2026, the center will be located within Elon鈥檚 Innovation Quad, home to the university鈥檚 engineering and other STEM programs.

鈥淲e are honored to partner with President Connie Ledoux Book and university staff on this grant that will broaden the legacy of the grants in healthcare and nursing,鈥� said Nancy J. Cable, executive director of the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust. 鈥淲e see Elon as an innovative and visionary institution and one that focuses on academic excellence and student well-being.鈥�

The HealthEU Center is a central component of the university鈥檚 broader HealthEU initiative that focuses on six dimensions of health and wellness: community, emotional, purpose, financial, physical and social. The three-story facility will feature new classrooms, student-faculty research and engagement spaces, multiple floors for wellness and fitness activities and the Mark and Kim Tyson Counseling Center, which will provide space for individual and group therapy, as well as workshops and outreach programs.

Through coursework, workshops and training programs focused on health and wellness, the HealthEU Center will impact all students as they learn essential skills and practices to thrive on campus and throughout each stage of their lives.

The grant will also establish William R. Kenan, Jr. Nursing Fellows scholarships in Elon鈥檚 School of Health Sciences. The Nursing Fellows program is a selective merit-based program for academically talented students who are committed to pursuing careers in nursing and healthcare. Fellows spend four years working closely with faculty mentors exploring the many opportunities in the field of nursing and identifying ways to address health disparities in local and global communities and promote quality healthcare for all.

鈥淥ne of the highest priorities for our trustees is to make grants to support healthcare workforce development in all four of the states we support, including North Carolina, Virginia, New York and Florida,鈥� Cable said. 鈥淭o be able to do that at Elon so close to the Trust headquarters is a special honor.鈥�

The Kenan Trust has been a committed donor to Elon. In 2002, a $1.2 million grant endowed the William R. Kenan, Jr. Honors Fellows Scholarship that provides a four-year, full-tuition grant for the top Honors Fellow enrolling each fall. Kenan Honors Fellows also receive extensive enrichment opportunities, including leadership development, service-learning experiences, study abroad, research stipends and internships. The grant also named the William R. Kenan, Jr. Honors Pavilion in the Lambert Academic Village.

In addition, a $300,000 grant in 2015 helped launch Elon鈥檚 Kenan Community Impact Fellows program to address essential needs in the community, including literacy readiness for preschoolers and their families. The program builds upon the success of Elon鈥檚 鈥淚t Takes a Village鈥� literacy project that pairs Elon students and faculty with students in the Alamance-Burlington School System.

鈥淲e are sincerely grateful for the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust鈥檚 continued partnership and this significant investment in two of Elon鈥檚 top philanthropic priorities,鈥� said Brian Feeley 鈥�03, assistant vice president for university advancement. 鈥淐ollaboration has always been at the heart of the Trust鈥檚 grantmaking, ensuring their generous support is both strategically aligned and effective.鈥�

福利亚洲国产精品 the Trust

A North Carolina native, William R. Kenan, Jr. graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill with a degree in chemistry and was a chemist and industrialist with wide-ranging business interests. Upon his death in 1965, the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust was created to further his strong interest in education.

The mission of the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust, a New York perpetual trust based in Chapel Hill, is to empower human potential through education and whole community investment. The Trust鈥檚 grantmaking is generally centered in the four states of Florida, New York, North Carolina and Virginia. To learn more about the Kenan Trust, visit聽.

HealthEU: Make An Impact

Many naming opportunities are available in the HealthEU Center, beginning at $50,000. Gift commitments may be made in full or with a pledge over a period of five years. To find out how you can make an impact with your gift, contact Brian Baker, associate vice president for university advancement, at 336.278.7453 or bbaker7@elon.edu.

The (NCHA), is a nationally recognized research survey sponsored by the American College Health Association (ACHA).聽福利亚洲国产精品 is participating in the NCHA to assess student health behaviors in order to improve and enhance services and support for students. Student participation is essential to better understand and support the health and well-being of the campus community. The results will guide future initiatives and services related to student wellness at Elon.

Elon undergraduates aged 18 and older received an invitation to complete the National College Health Assessment (NCHA). Elon will receive aggregate data from our student participants, and all individual responses will remain confidential, with no identifying information shared. Participation is voluntary and confidential, and the survey takes 20 to 25 minutes to complete.

All students who submit a survey will be automatically entered in a random drawing for one of five $100 VISA gift cards.

The NCHA data provides a snapshot of the most prevalent college health issues such as:

• Alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use
• Sexual health
• Weight, nutrition, and physical activity
• 厂濒别别辫听丑别补濒迟丑
• Mental health (stress, anxiety, depression)
• Vaccinations
• Injury prevention
• Personal safety and violence (including sexual violence)

Questions?聽Connect with Jana Lynn Patterson, dean of students and associate vice president for student life at patters@elon.edu or (336) 278-7200

The daylong workshop on Aug. 15, co-sponsored by the Isabella Cannon Global Education Center (GEC) and the Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning (CATL), was designed for faculty and staff who lead study away programs, though it was open to all interested in enhancing global learning.

Following welcome remarks from Dean of Global Education Nick Gozik and Provost and Executive Vice President Rebecca Kohn, the day began with a thought-provoking keynote by Anu Taranath, a renowned educator and author of “Beyond Guilt Trips: Mindful Travel in an Unequal World.”

Taranath鈥檚 address, titled 鈥淢indful Travel in an Unequal World,鈥� explored the challenges and opportunities of navigating cultural differences and inequities during study abroad experiences. She emphasized the importance of deepening awareness of global inequities and preparing students for authentic and empathetic interactions with diverse communities.

Following the keynote, the workshop featured four breakout sessions tackling various aspects of global education:

• In 鈥淐ultivating Empathy and Understanding in Undergraduate Sojourners,鈥� Mathew Gendle, professor psychology, and Amanda Tapler, senior lecturer in public health studies, focused on methods for cultivating empathy in students before, during and after their study away experiences. They drew from Taranath鈥檚 book to develop strategies for students to connect across cultural differences and manage the inevitable discomfort that comes with navigating new environments.
• Brian Pennington, professor of religious studies and Megan Hernandez-Greene,聽program coordinator at the Global Education Center, addressed how to effectively integrate and respond to religious encounters in global learning contexts in 鈥淓ncountering Religion in Global Learning.” This session provided insights on how study away leaders can turn unexpected religious interactions into valuable learning opportunities.
• Through 鈥淓xploring Identity Through Data in Global Contexts,鈥� Crista Arangala, professor of mathematics, facilitated a session on using data to explore and understand identities within host communities, connecting global education to Elon鈥檚 Data Nexus initiative. Participants engaged with practical activities designed to enhance pre-departure and onsite courses, fostering deeper insights into personal and cultural identity.
• In 鈥淓xploring the Intersections between Sustainability and Study Away,鈥� Elaine Durr, senior director of sustainability, Kelly Harer, associate director of sustainability for education and outreach and Evan Small, lecturer in wellness led a discussion on the environmental impact of study away programs. They shared strategies for incorporating sustainability into global education and provided a reflective space for participants to consider the carbon footprint of their programs.

鈥淭he Global Pedagogy Workshop serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative potential of study away programs,” said Gozik. “By addressing the discomforts inherent in navigating diverse global contexts, educators can help students develop the resilience and empathy needed to tackle today鈥檚 complex challenges.鈥�

Gozik added that this workshop situates ideally within Elon鈥檚 new global strategic plan, launched this past January, by 鈥渄eepening global experiences for both students and program leaders.鈥�

鈥淗aving read and discussed Dr. Taranath鈥檚 insightful book with colleagues and students over the past few years, I was eager to meet her in person and learn more about her pedagogy,” said Maureen Vandermaas-Peeler,聽professor of psychology and director of the Center for Research on Global Engagement.

Vandermaas-Peeler added that Taranath鈥檚 鈥減ositive, constructive approach to open dialogue with students about challenging issues in global contexts is inspiring and the workshop was a great opportunity to discuss case studies and learn from her experiences.鈥�

Met by Danieley Faculty Director Evan Small and Associate Director of Sustainability for Education and Outreach Kelly Harer, attendees gathered at Daniel Common at 9 p.m., indulging in celestial-themed snacks and beverages before embarking on a journey of inner peace. Itumeleng Shadrek from Counseling Services led a serene meditation circle, preparing minds for the wonders of the night sky.

On the shores of Lake Verona, blankets were spread beneath the stars, accompanied by a melodic blend of tunes emanating from a portable speaker. Astrophysics and astronomy majors and astronomy minors, including Jonathan Berkson, Myka Thomas, Matthew Rieck, Sam Lindo, Jaylem Cheek and Isabelle English along with Physics Department Lecturer/Historic Faculty Director Claudine Moreau and Historic Faculty in Residence Kevin Otos manned three telescopes and gave breathtaking 鈥淲inter Circle鈥� constellation green laser star tours. Colin Vernon, an Environmental Engineering major, treated attendees to real-time views of the Orion Nebula and several globular clusters through the Seestar S50 telescope.

Danieley and Historic neighborhood Faculty Directors ran raffles to give away prizes including telescopes, galaxy light projectors, and a nebula tapestry. With the resounding success of the event, the prospect of future stargazing gatherings seems pretty stellar, promising a tradition that may well become a cornerstone of campus life at Elon.

Nepocatych鈥檚 background in exercise physiology and nutrition brings a unique perspective to her role and serves as a solid foundation to wellness. From this foundation, she is able to build upon the concept of wellness and implement a holistic approach that acknowledges the interconnectedness of various facets of well-being, including emotional, financial and social, within the academic setting.

Continuing to build upon her strong foundation, Nepocatych works with wellness pedagogy, or evidence-based strategies, to be implemented in the classroom. Through these efforts, she hopes to contribute to the university鈥檚 goal of creating a culture of wellness, which is named in the 鈥淭hrive鈥� theme of the university鈥檚 Boldly Elon 10-year strategic plan. To implement wellness pedagogy, Nepocatcyh collaborates with several departments and organizations across campus to execute and assess initiatives that infuse wellness pedagogy.

She also facilitates interdisciplinary dialogue and knowledge exchange by partnering with departments such as the Center for Engaged Teaching and Learning and the Center for Design Thinking. One major initiative that illustrates the interdisciplinary dialogue spearheaded by Nepocatych is the Faculty Scholars Program, aimed at equipping faculty members with tools to integrate wellness pedagogy into their teaching practices. The program included 10 faculty participants who set goals for how to add wellness pedagogy to their course curriculum. Participant goals can include evidence-based practices, such as supporting language to syllabi, inclusive assignments and course design. The program also includes pre-and-post assessments to gauge the impact.

Through initiatives such as the Faculty Scholar Program and other workshops and programs such as the ThriveWell health intervention program, book discussions and tailored programs, she empowers faculty and staff to cultivate supportive learning environments that prioritize well-being. However, before implementing wellness pedagogy in the classroom, Nepocatych believes that wellness practices and behaviors must first begin with faculty and staff. She highlights the importance of prioritizing faculty and staff wellness as a foundational component to creating a culture of well-being within the university community.

鈥淔aculty wellness and well-being is essential not only for the students but for the whole community because burnout leads to disengagement. It could be stated that if we don’t feel organizational care, it is really hard to move forward,鈥� Nepocatych said. So it’s imperative to acknowledge and identify ways to support faculty, staff, or students to contribute to that culture of wellness.鈥�

She continued expressing how this mindset also contributes to becoming a role model for students in how to be stewards of their wellness journey.

鈥淏ecause we live in a culture that thrives on busyness, we don’t always model healthy work-life balance to our students continuing to fuel the behavior. It鈥檚 important to empower and encourage students to engage in conversations and take action to resist these pressures,鈥� Nepocatych said.

As Nepocatych looks toward the horizon, she hopes that she will continue to implement programming that strives to cultivate a wellness culture that supports faculty development and wellness. Additionally, she aspires to establish long-term initiatives such as a Wellness Pedagogy Institute that would offer immersive experiences to further embed wellness practices within academia.

Course clients this semester include Safer City Greensboro, Elon鈥檚 Student Government Association, First Generation Student Support Services, and representatives from the HealthEU Council on Wellness and Well-Being.

In just three weeks, students conduct research to support client goals and implement design thinking methods to move their projects forward. For instance, one student team is working with Safer City Greensboro to support its commitment to inclusive community engagement. Another team is supporting Elon鈥檚 Student Government Association by building its capacity to implement equity-centered design thinking practices into its outreach processes.

Each team has the guidance of a Design Thinking mentor, student 鈥淒T Catalysts,鈥� who helps guide design thinking conversations and provide insight for their teams.

鈥淚t鈥檚 really fun to see the students develop their problem-solving skills and help our client address a real-world problem,” said team mentor Aaron Chan. “We got to work with the Center for Access and Success on designing ways to improve the first-generation student experience here at Elon. I love that our work is making lives better in very tangible ways.鈥� Students are learning how to support each other, collaborate and ask challenging questions.

Clients appreciate the time and effort student teams put into the development of these workshops. Travella Free, executive director of the Center for Access and Success, said 鈥淚t was an amazing experience and much-needed opportunity to connect with our first-generation students here at Elon. First Generation Support Services is in a much better position now to break down the barriers and challenges they face as college students so we can build a better first-gen experience here at Elon.鈥�

Graduate apprentice Darynha Gnep added that they 鈥渨ant students to feel celebrated, seen and heard, and this workshop was a great step toward achieving those goals. I loved the space that was created for us to connect, laugh and dream.鈥�

Beyond client projects, students are also excited to use design thinking practices to support their personal projects. 鈥淒esign Thinking has helped me increase my sense of play and my ability to stress less,鈥� Abi Coburn ’26 said.

Coburn’s ultimate goal is to use design thinking to incorporate more play into her life. These projects can have a lasting impact.

Kendall Gilbert ’22 said the course, 鈥淭aught me how to incorporate design thinking into every aspect of my life. To this day, I am still using design thinking in order to develop actionable strategies for reaching my goals.鈥�

Students receive transcript credit and a LinkedIn badge with successful completion of this class.

To learn more about center offerings this winter and spring or request a consultation, check out the Center鈥檚 website.