300+
people certified in Mental Health First Aid
65+
campus and community collaborations in 2022
1639
meals donated in 2022
Wellbeing for You
We define wellbeing as an essential skill of self-care. Like all skills, it needs to be taught, developed and practiced. We believe that: health and wellbeing is multidimensional; each person’s journey is personal; each person can exercise agency over health and wellbeing outcomes; and health and wellbeing practices positively correlate with productivity and life satisfaction and are learnable skills.
The built environment influences our eating habits, activity levels, finances, mental wellbeing, physical health, and lifespans. Gaining a better understanding of how our environments affect the many facets of our lives can enable healthier choices, enhance our quality of life, and help us better understand how to advocate community-level change. Learn more about Build Well at TWU.
Build Well
Eat Well works with groups across the campuses to improve food security and the nutrition skills of TWU students. We are particularly focused on collaborative efforts to improve access to food through the support of mobile food banks, food distributions, food pantries, WIC, and SNAP. In addition, we develop both online and face-to-face efforts to teach students how to prepare foods in order to maximize their food dollars. Finally, Eat Well strives to educate students about making healthier choices through online videos, handouts, and by supporting the Vandagriff Nutrition Scholar(s). Learn more about Eat Well at TWU.
Eat Well
Mental health affects how we think, feel, and act. When we are mentally well, we can cope with stress more effectively, be more present and engaged in our interpersonal relationships, and be more mindful in our choices and decision-making skills. Learn more about Mind Well at TWU.
Mind Well
Move Well works with academic departments, Student Life, Fitness and Recreation, and the community to promote a wide variety of physical activity options. We are particularly focused on opportunities that students will be able to incorporate into their daily activities and continue throughout their lives. Learn more about Move Well at TWU.
Move Well
According to the CapitolOne Spendwise Survey, 73% of Americans rank their finances as the most significant source of stress in their lives. Regardless of income, learning the principles of smart financial decisions will make a positive impact on every aspect of your life. Poor financial management may reduce your overall wellbeing and may end up costing you more than just money. Learn more about Spend Well at TWU.
Spend Well
Mission and Vision
Our Mission is to lead collaborations and coordinate efforts among cross-divisional departments to advance positive, sustainable outcomes in students’ lives.
Our Vision is that within 10 years of the initiative, every member of the Texas Woman’s community will identify health and wellbeing as an essential thread woven through the fabric of their Texas Woman’s experience.
How
Texas Woman’s has a rich history of expertise in a wide range of health and wellbeing disciplines. Through a highly collaborative process, this initiative coordinates and champions this expertise both in and out of the classroom.
Faculty, staff, and students comprise all theme area committees. This is also reflected in theme committee leadership, which is commonly composed of a faculty and staff member. Using our themed framework as a guide, we prioritize wellbeing efforts related to persistence and retention while developing students’ personal and professional growth.
History
In 2015, Dr. Carine M. Feyten, Chancellor and President, commissioned a Strategic Planning Design Team to develop a new university-level strategic plan that would be student-centered and purpose-driven.
All divisions—Academic Affairs, Student Life, Enrollment Management, Finance and Administration, and University Advancement—were instrumental in the conceptualization and development of the plan, including over 100 listening, sharing, and feedback sessions with students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community stakeholders. One clear theme that emerged was Texas Woman’s University’s prioritization of health and wellbeing.
As a result of these discussions, the Health and Wellbeing Initiative became a commitment to improving the lives of our Texas Woman’s community. By 2017, an inaugural director was hired. Over the course of 2017-2018, a team of campus leaders with expertise in health and wellbeing developed our core themes, priorities, and marketing campaign. Our current themes are MindWell, SpendWell, EatWell, MoveWell, and BuildWell. Work today involves refining these priorities by infusing them in curricular and co-curricular activities.