From the Desk of the CWO: Building a Culture of Well-Being is a Collective Responsibility

As we step into a new year, many of us are reflecting on our personal goals, resolutions and intentions for the months ahead. I'll admit it - I'm right there with you. The start of a new year offers the perfect opportunity to reset, focus and work toward improving our well-being in areas that may need some extra attention. But while personal growth is important, one thing is clear to me: well-being isn't just an individual journey, it's something we create together as a community.

As I sit down to write this month's blog, my thoughts keep returning to a key question: How can we, as a community, come together to advance well-being at Clemson in 2025 and beyond? This year, what will your intention be to contribute to our collective well-being?

Reflecting on 2024: Building Momentum Toward a Thriving Campus

Over the past year, Clemson well-being has made remarkable strides in bringing our community together around the shared vision of health and wellness. One of the most exciting developments has been the formation of the Clemson Well-Being Council, a diverse group of over 35 members spanning all colleges and divisions across campus. This collaborative council has already made significant progress, preparing to submit an ambitious strategic plan to our executive leadership team. The plan outlines five strategic pillars and 15 key objectives aimed at transforming our campus culture around well-being.

A major theme that emerged from our analysis of Clemson's landscape is the growing need to address mental health. It's clear that mental health and well-being are critical to all members of our community - students, faculty and staff alike. As we move forward, we're prioritizing several key areas that will allow us to create meaningful change in the year ahead:

Key Priorities for Advancing Well-being in 2025

• Systematic Survey and Assessment: We'll develop a comprehensive survey to better understand the health and well-being needs of everyone at Clemson. Your voice will be critical in shaping this.
• Improved Access to Resources: A new, user-friendly digital platform will make it easier to access well-being resources and support across the University.
• Better Communication: We're committed to improving how we share information about well-being initiatives so that everyone can stay informed and engaged.
• Training and Leadership Development: We will offer more opportunities for training and leadership development that promote a culture of well-being, empowering all members of our community to lead by example.
• Wellness Ambassadors and Champions: We'll continue to grow our network of Wellness Ambassadors - individuals who are passionate about fostering a culture of well-being, inclusion and belonging.

These priority areas are being actively led by working groups from the Clemson Well-Being Council, ensuring our efforts remain focused, actionable and impactful. The commitment of all 10 deans at Clemson to appoint Wellness Ambassadors and identify well-being priorities within their colleges has been instrumental in driving this work forward.

Additionally, the creation of the Clemson Well-Being Intern position and our involvement in national initiatives like the American College Health Association and the U.S. Health Promoting Campuses Network has allowed us to share ideas, learn from others and bring back valuable insights to our campus.

Looking Ahead to 2025: Building a Culture of Well-Being for All

While 2024 has been a year of progress, 2025 promises even greater strides in our collective well-being journey. We're planning several initiatives, including:

• Struggle Well/Learning to Thrive Training to equip all members of the Clemson community with the skills and knowledge to navigate challenges and grow stronger through adversity.
• Expansion of the Wellness Ambassador Program into additional divisions across campus, creating a more connected and widespread network of well-being champions.
• Campus-wide surveys to deepen our understanding of the well-being experiences of faculty, staff and students, helping us tailor our initiatives even more effectively.

But beyond these tangible initiatives, 2025 marks a crucial moment in our culture-shaping journey. It will be the year we fully embed well-being into the fabric of Clemson University, where each person - whether student, faculty or staff - feels empowered, supported and included in thriving together.

The Call to Action: What Will You Contribute in 2025?

The path ahead is exciting, but it will require all of us to commit to the work of creating a thriving culture of well-being. So, I ask you: What will your role be in advancing well-being at Clemson University in 2025? Will you engage with the resources we're providing? Will you take part in well-being initiatives? Will you be a well-being champion in your own department, office or classroom?

Together, we can make well-being not just a goal, but a deeply ingrained part of who we are at Clemson. Let's continue to build a community where everyone is empowered to prioritize their health, find support and thrive.

Here's to a year of collective action, growth and well-being.

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