Wellness Champions

The Botanical LEGO Wellbeing Garden was a creative and collaborative initiative designed to foster team connection, celebrate accomplishments, and promote wellbeing across the Office of Information Technology (OIT). Using LEGO Botanical kits, the aim was to gamify recognition and appreciation, encouraging individuals and teams to share successes and support one another in a fun, visual, and meaningful way.

Queer Dharma was a four-session contemplative series held every Wednesday in February from 6:30-9:00pm. Rooted in yogic philosophy and asana practice, this program was designed to create intentional space for marginalized bodies—specifically LGBTQIA2+ and BIPOC individuals—within the gallery through teaching, reflection, and embodied mindfulness practices. Grant funds were allocated directly to compensate the two instructors who collaboratively led the series, Em Grotton-Juco and Sarah Benta, who created the program several years ago for Root Center for Yoga and Sacred Studies. Each session engaged participants with themes found in Nina Elder’s exhibition, The Source Never Diminishes, as catalysts for reflection on impermanence, abundance, care, and collective resilience

Academic Advising is a rewarding but demanding profession, with UCCS advisors supporting students through academic, personal, and social challenges. This constant emotional labor can lead to stress and burnout, making advisor wellness essential for sustainable, high-quality support. Investing in advisor well-being strengthens not only individual advisors but the entire educational community, which is why incorporating a nutrition demonstration into staff professional development was so meaningful to support overall wellness.

The Reset is a wellness initiative for the Johnson Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences, designed to support multiple dimensions of wellbeing. Each month featured a different theme—like heart health, nutrition, or stress support—with interactive activities such as Heart Bingo, social walks, Taste Breaks, color-of-the-week challenges, and yoga sessions. Participation was optional, flexible, and designed to fit into busy schedules, making wellness approachable, meaningful, and sustainable.

UCCS Financial Aid Office utilized its mini-grant funding to start a plant propagation station for everyone in the UCCS community to enjoy.

UCCS Rooted and Growing is still going so stop in anytime Monday through Friday, 8am-4pm, top floor of Cragmor Hall to take a plant, leave a clipping, get your hands dirty on a Wellness Break. 

Wellness Center Coffee Social Hour took place at the beginning of the day, giving staff an opportunity to connect before the busyness sets in. Over coffee and delicious pastries, we intentionally created space to check in with one another, share stories, and enjoy a few genuine laughs. Starting the day this way helped build a sense of community, encouragement, and support among our team.

During our first meeting, we were able to slow down and have more meaningful one-on-one conversations before heading to our daily responsibilities. It set a positive tone for the day and strengthened relationships across Wellness Center staff.

Our second meetup took place after the school shooting incident, which made gathering together that morning especially important. Beginning the day in a supportive space allowed us to check in emotionally, offer encouragement, and find comfort in each other’s presence. Sharing conversations and even a few much-needed laughs. It helped ease stress and reminded us that we are not alone.