Our Model
A Student-Led Model for Wellbeing and Life Readiness
A model where students not only participate, but they also design, lead, evaluate, and refine experiences that strengthen wellbeing for themselves and their peers.
The Health & Wellbeing Initiative is organized around five pillars: Build Well, Mind Well, Move Well, Eat Well, and Spend Well. Each pillar supports student development through evidence-informed practice and peer leadership. Our improvement in the science framework ensures that student feedback and outcomes drive what we do next creating a living, learning wellbeing ecosystem.
The Health & Wellbeing Initiative (HWI) is a structured, student-centered model designed to strengthen belonging, resilience, and life skills across the Texas Woman’s University community. Rather than offering isolated programs, HWI integrates peer leadership, evidence-informed practices, and continuous improvement into a coordinated wellbeing ecosystem.
Through this model, students build practical skills that support success in college and beyond preparing them for internships, careers, graduate education, and meaningful contributions to their communities.
Why Health & Wellbeing Matters
College represents a critical developmental period where students learn to navigate independence, relationships, academic pressure, and career preparation. Research consistently shows that students who develop strong wellbeing skills such as resilience, resource navigation, and community connection are more likely to persist, graduate, and thrive.
The HWI model was designed to help students develop these skills intentionally through peer leadership, structured learning experiences, and accessible campus resources.
The Five Pillars of Wellbeing
Build Well
Cultivates belonging and meaningful relationships through supportive communities and environments.
Eat Well
Promotes healthy nutrition practices that support energy and academic performance.
Mind Well
Strengthens emotional resilience, self-awareness, and mental wellbeing.
Move Well
Encourages physical vitality and sustainable movement habits.
Spend Well
Builds financial confidence and informed decision-making.
More Information
How the Model Works
The HWI model operates through three integrated elements:
Student Leadership
Peer Wellness Ambassadors serve as trained student leaders who facilitate programs, coaching sessions, and connection groups. This peer-to-peer approach strengthens engagement and creates a supportive community environment.
Structured Engagement Pathways
Students can participate in a variety of experiences including:
- Peer wellness coaching
- Peer connection groups
- Wellness talks and educational workshops
- The Wellbeing Society
These experiences help students develop practical skills while connecting them with campus resources.
Continuous Improvement
Student feedback and participation data are regularly reviewed to refine programs and ensure they remain responsive to evolving student needs.
What Students Gain
Through participation in HWI initiatives, students develop:
- Resilience and stress-management skills
- Resource navigation and help-seeking confidence
- Leadership and communication skills
- Financial and health literacy
- A stronger sense of belonging on campus
These competencies support not only academic success but also preparation for life after graduation.
The HWI Journey
Our Journey: The Evolution of Wellbeing at TWU
The Health & Wellbeing Initiative builds upon years of work across the Texas Woman’s University community to strengthen student wellbeing. What began as collaborative efforts to promote healthy campus environments has grown into a structured, student-led model that integrates wellbeing into the student experience. Supporting student wellbeing has long been a shared priority across the Texas Woman’s University community. The Health & Wellbeing Initiative builds upon years of collaboration among faculty, staff, and students who have worked together to strengthen campus environments that support health, belonging, and student success.
The timeline list below highlights key milestones that have shaped the initiative and continue to guide its evolution.
Formation of the Health & Wellbeing Initiative - HWI Established
Texas Woman’s University formally established the Health & Wellbeing Initiative to coordinate campus efforts and strengthen student wellbeing through education, engagement, and leadership opportunities.
Early Foundation - Initial Wellbeing Framework Development
Faculty, staff, and campus partners began exploring ways to support student wellbeing through collaborative programming and campus engagement initiatives.
Development of the Five Pillars of Wellbeing Introduced
The initiative introduced the Five Pillars framework {Build Well, Eat Well, Mind Well, Move Well, and Spend Well} to organize wellbeing initiatives and provide a holistic model for student development.
Student Leadership Expansion - Peer Wellness Ambassador Program Launches
Student leaders were trained to serve as Peer Wellness Ambassadors, providing peer coaching, connection groups, and wellness education for the campus community.
Growth of the Wellbeing Society - Structured Engagement Pathways
The Wellbeing Society expanded opportunities for students to participate in leadership, workshops, and community-building initiatives focused on the five pillars of wellbeing.
Present Day - A Student-Led Wellbeing Model
Today, the He1alth & Wellbeing Initiative operates as a student-led model that integrates peer leadership, campus partnerships, and continuous improvement to strengthen student success and community wellbeing.
Scholarships and Professional Contributions
The Health & Wellbeing Initiative contributes to the broader conversation on student wellbeing in higher education through conference presentations, collaborative research, and professional engagement.
Members of the HWI team regularly share their work at regional and national conferences and participate in initiatives that advance evidence-informed approaches to student wellbeing.
Page last updated 3:03 PM, March 23, 2026