Courtney Kowalke/Winonan
Winona State kicked off its weekly Wellness Wednesday program last week with the “Your Wellness Resource,” which presented students with an overview of health and wellness resources on campus and new opportunities available.
The event was held in the Integrated Wellness Complex room 138, or the Well, and was attended by 30 students.
“Last year we had Wellness Wednesdays and Healthy Monday programs once a month or so,” said Student Health and Wellness Promotion Coordinator Erica Thibodeaux. This year both programs will occur weekly, thanks in part to a more extensive collaboration with Winona State’s Health and Wellness Program. “We really tried to beef it up this fall and we hope that it works out and that students participate even more than they already are,” Thibodeaux said.
During Wednesday’s introductory program, Graduate student Jordan Yankowiak told students about Winona State’s Outdoor Education and Resources Center (OERC) and trip opportunities provided through the new program.
‘It’s important to give students these opportunities and get them doing activities, get them out on the lakes and rivers and get them rock climbing,” Yankowiak said. “We have brand new equipment, you can rent it for about 15 dollars a day, and this area is one of the best areas for backwater canoeing and kayaking.”
A list of OERC’s scheduled workshops and trips can be found in the Well. One trip planned is a weekend expedition to Devil’s Lake State Park in Wisconsin.
“We just want to get people outdoors and to let students, faculty, and the community know that we’re here,” Yankowiak said.
Also discussed was Winona State’s Wellzine, an online magazine, targeting student health.
“Initially we were using another company’s layout to design the Wellzine,” Thibodeaux explained. “We would just sort of take the template and put our articles on there. But since Winona State has so much access to software, it made sense to do it on our own, and it’s been so much cleaner and simpler in terms of style.”
Editor Samantha Luhmann and designer Tegan Blank agree that with the current University Theme and the Wellzine’s focus on the dimensions of student health, it was the perfect time to launch a fresh approach to the magazine. “It’s a very exciting project, and hopefully in the near future we can use it to connect all the universities in Winona,” Blank said.
The Wellzine is viewable online and accepting student submissions. “We usually open our Healthy Alternatives section to student suggestions that vary month to month,” Luhmann said, explaining that past topics had included favorite recipes and homemade face wash solutions.
Kendra Lekson talked with students about the WSU Health and Wellness Advocates and what being an advocate entails. The student club provides outreach on campus and gives presentations about healthy living for college students.
“Many of our members wear other hats,” Lekson said. “They’re club presidents or RAs or athletes.”
Lekson emphasized the volunteering aspect of the organization as well. “We work with the Wellness program and at the Wellness fairs here on campus to interact with students, and we promotes safe sex by giving students safe sex kits and handouts,” Lekson said.
She also noted that many members take the opportunities offered through the club to become certified in CPR, First Aid, and various counseling programs. These skills are applicable in post-college careers and beneficial in any community.
“Initially there were about seven student advocates and now we have 32 so it’s really taken off,” Lekson added regarding student advocacy involvement.
Debra Hammel discussed Winona State’s Student Parent Group, which is now funded by a two-year Minnesota Grant of Health. “Hopefully after the two years we can sustain the group and move forward,” Hammel said. The group encourages students who have children to balance their physical, mental, and emotional issues by giving them outlets and listening to what they need from the university.
“Most of these student- parents struggle with feeling like a part of campus,” Hammel said. “Their issues are so different, and the school is worried because of the low retention rate [of parenting students]. With this program, they don’t feel invisible on campus anymore.”
The Parent Group provides weekly luncheons on both the Winona and Rochester campuses where students “just hang out and talk,” according to Hammel. Discussions and presentations are also held, often involving outside organizations like SEMCAC and the Winona State counseling center.
Winona State Counseling and Wellness has also started a Body Image and Eating Support Group. Held every Thursday at 3:00, the program is “very open,” according to Thibodeaux. “It’s there to cover any concern students might have in that area, and hopefully the group will evolve with the students who join and who will make it what they need.”
Also aiding students in the near future will be Health Promotion’s Choosing a Major Workshop, a free event to take place Sept. 17. The Warrior Success Center will also host a networking workshop in which students will be granted the opportunity to mingle with local business people and learn about other service- oriented jobs.
Winona State will also soon be calling for abstracts for students and faculty demonstrating how the campus’s dedication to wellness has impacted their lives.
“We had a philosophy that manifested into a facility, and that has inspired a number of people at a number of other universities,” Thibodeaux said. Due to this stimulus, Winona State hopes to host a conference next June where these articles will be presented.
“Lots of these activities that have been highlighted today will likely culminate in a presentation at this conference,” Thibodeaux added.
Contact Courtney at [email protected]
