Last fall, Elon University in North Carolina provided students with an opportunity to positively impact the well-being of campus communities through grant-funded programs.
Andrew G. Bennett ’08 Student Wellness Innovation Grants recognized four student-led programs this winter that will be implemented next year and beyond. The initiative supports student leadership in welfare efforts and can also help university leaders understand insights that may impact student health and wellbeing.
How it works: HealthEU Program Director Anu Räisänen explained that the grant was funded previously to support safe ride programs at the university, but the rise of ride applications has reduced the demand for funding in the region. University leaders work with donors to readjust funds to stimulate students’ innovation.
It is important to consider that the project must be aligned with health goals and address at least one of the six dimensions of health – community, emotional, financial, physical, goal and society.
The grant committee was chaired by Räisänen and supported by two graduate apprentices, counselors and an education professor, reviewed the seven recommendations for the cycle. Each proposal is submitted by the student as part of an individual or group. Students are encouraged to find a department or student organization to jointly sign the proposal to promote sustainability and continue their efforts during college, Räisänen said.
Before submitting an application, students can choose to meet with Räisänen to consult their ideas, including brainstorming campus partners to support individual graduates’ post-graduate efforts.
Applicants also provide a summary of how funds are used and their expected impact on community well-being.
The committee accepted and reviewed the applications in Qualtrics and scored them by titles that weighed feasibility, innovation and impact.
What’s next: Four proposals receive $500 each, with the maximum available amount, including a puppy yoga activity, a craft and craft service program, a peer support program for nursing students, and a renovation of the philosophy suite in Spence Pavilion, academic building on campus.
Räisänen said there is no ideal project, and each grantee’s project length is different and the target population is the length.
This spring, students will submit an impact report to describe the status and impact of the project to date. Grant recipients will also be held on Healtheu Day, which celebrates ongoing efforts to promote integrated health through fun events and education.
Students who will still be enrolled will participate, and those who graduate may provide a video discussing their projects and innovation funds.
“The goal is for students to share their experiences, just like they did in undergraduate studies, and then we build that momentum,” Räisänen said. “The best way to get a message to your students is through word of mouth; you just need to find the right student to spread the word.”
In the future, Räisänen and her team are considering ways to offer larger grant awards to encourage students to think more about the well-being of the campus.
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