Thriving together

Running, walking, and thriving together

Lauren Reuscher — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 15:35:17 +0000

Running, walking, and thriving together Lauren Reuscher Thu, 10/24/2024 - 11:35

The annual Mason Nation Thriving Together 5K and 1-mile run/walk took place on ��AV’s Fairfax Campus on Saturday, Oct. 19. This year, more than 400 people registered for the event.

The race was open to students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members. Proceeds from the event will benefit student mental health and well-being programs.

Photo by Eduardo Macedo/Office of University Branding

The first Thriving Together 5K was hosted in 2020 as a “virtual” race during the pandemic. For the past few years, the event has been hosted on campus with the option to participate from anywhere.

��AV President Gregory Washington helped kick off the race. Photo by Eduardo Macedo/Office of University Branding

The proceeds from this year’s race will benefit the following programs for students:

New and improved MindSpa spaces where students can relax, practice self-care, and improve their overall wellbeing.
Installing soundproof pods that students can use for telehealth appointments in locations where more private, quiet space is needed.
Providing funding to offset the costs of psychological testing for students who are seeking accommodations.
Scholarships for students who serve in the Peer Empowerment Program, a volunteer opportunity for students to help promote mental health awareness at George Mason.

Photo by Eduardo Macedo/Office of University Branding

The Thriving Together 5K planning committee included faculty and staff from across the university, including University Life, Mason Recreation, the College of Education and Human Development, Parking and Transportation, and Mason Police.

Learn more about mental health and well-being resources at George Mason.

Photo by Eduardo Macedo/Office of University Branding

Learn more about mental health and well-being resources

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Spring into Well-Being Week 2024: Blossoming into the best version of you

Lauren Reuscher — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 14:40:10 +0000

Spring into Well-Being Week 2024: Blossoming into the best version of you Lauren Reuscher Wed, 04/17/2024 - 10:40

��AV’s annual Spring into Well-Being week emphasizes well-being and happiness through diverse experiences. Mason will host its annual week promoting well-being from Monday, April 22, to Friday, April 26, featuring events designed to embrace individual and community well-being. Activities will include Stress Less Fest, Meditation on Wheels, the Graduate Student Picnic, and Mason Day, with many others in between.

Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

"Spring into Well-Being offers a week of recognition and events dedicated to delving into well-being, making it especially valuable for those new to the concept,” said Lewis E. Forrest II, associate dean for University Life. “It’s an opportunity to deepen understanding and cultivate a lasting impact on individuals within the Mason community.”

Meditation on Wheels is a new activity making its way to Mason’s Fairfax Campus this year. A meditation mobile unit, Meditation on Wheels aims to make meditation accessible and convenient to all persons, including those who may not have easy access to traditional meditation centers. This program highlights the importance of self-care and encouraging people to pause, breathe, and connect with themselves and others through meditation practice.

Well-being at Mason is defined as building a life of vitality, purpose, resilience, and engagement. The university works to nurture a culture where individuals are equipped with knowledge and skills essential for thriving beyond their time at Mason. Well-being is viewed as a multidimensional concept, encompassing physical, emotional, and social aspects, providing individuals with a sense of purpose, belonging, and fulfillment.

Spring into Well-Being will happen at Mason from April 22–26. Photo provided

“Mason’s goal is to ensure that every participant not only understands but also internalizes and implements the core concepts of well-being into their journey moving forward,” said Forrest, who has spearheaded the Spring into Well-Being program since 2015. Mason’s well-being leaders are committed to uplifting an environment that supports this goal by highlighting a wealth of on- and off-campus resources tailored to the Mason community throughout the week.

Kye Hopkins, a senior success coach and the 2024 co-chair for this year’s event, emphasized the impact of well-being initiatives, noting how Mason’s resources and support have helped him maintain balance and resilience.

"Spring into Well-Being Week is a key part of fostering a culture of self-care, support, and empowerment,” Hopkins said.

Spring into Well-Being events are open to students, faculty, and staff. Photo provided

Through collaboration with the Center for the Advancement of Well-Being, Mason aims to engage students, faculty, and staff in promoting a culture of wellness. The positivity around campus is inspiring, and Hopkins said he is eager to see the continued growth of well-being activities on campus.

Activities like Spring into Well-Being enable the Mason Nation to celebrate its diverse culture and advance the mission of thriving together as a community. Whether participants are well-versed in well-being practices or just beginning their journey, the week serves as a reminder to prioritize well-being and take a step toward a healthier and happier lifestyle.

More about Spring into Well-Being

Learn about the Center for the Advancement of Well-Being

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Spring Into Well-Being

Center for the Advancement of Well-Being

Thriving together

University Life

Campus News

Fostering kindness is just good business

Lauren Reuscher — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 18:49:10 +0000

Fostering kindness is just good business Lauren Reuscher Wed, 09/20/2023 - 14:49

Here’s how one school uses the Mason Chooses Kindness Toolkit at the unit level.

In 2020 Nance Lucas, executive director and chief well-being officer of the Center for the Advancement of Well-Being at ��AV, and Lewis Forrest II, associate dean for University Life, created Mason Chooses Kindness (MCK).

“From the beginning, Mason Chooses Kindness has worked to elevate the idea and actions related to kindness across our campus,” Forrest said. In the 2022-23 academic year, 30 members representing 19 departments or units across Mason were part of the Mason Chooses Kindness committee.

Kindness Station at the School of Business includes treats, giveaways, and tips on how to spread kindness at Mason. Photo by School of Business

After attending university-wide Mason Chooses Kindness events, several School of Business colleagues saw an opportunity to address a larger need for continued encouragement and connection within their unit. Jackie Brown (MA ’12), area chair and senior instructor, business foundations; Cameron Harris (BA ’06), assistant area chair and associate professor, business foundations; Gretchen Hendricks, senior instructor, business foundations; and Christine Landoll (BS Accounting ’89, MS Taxation ’92), director of business engagement at the School of Business, formed the core of the group.

This “goodwill team” highlights and encourages acts of kindness and well-being across the school, leading the first unit-focused MCK activities. With the support of School of Business Dean Ajay Vinzé, the group focuses on four key areas: staff and faculty recognition and engagement, student engagement, alumni engagement, and curricular impact.

“I am delighted with the efforts of our team,” Vinzé said. “The intent of Mason Chooses Kindness and its applications are closely aligned with a key strategic priority for the business school, one that emphasizes our focus on inclusive excellence and a cohesive culture.”

One way the team has implemented kindness in the school is through its Kindness Stations at each school location. Kindness stations include a quick list of no-cost acts of kindness that can be done right at the station, such as using the Thank a Teacher or Pats for Patriots forms to share gratitude or recognition. They also served as a one-stop shop for other tips, such as helping a colleague or classmate, smiling and checking on friends and colleagues. The stations also included giveaways such as coffee, cookies, small succulent plants, and stickers, as well as fidget toys that could be borrowed from the station.

As a result of the increased visibility of Pats for Patriots, the School of Business submitted more Pats for Patriots than any other school or college during the academic year.

Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

The emphasis on kindness also extends to the student experience. In the BUS 103/303: Developing Your Professional Skills I and II classes, kindness and well-being are integrated into the curriculum. In BUS 103, students are asked to participate in mindfulness exercises and complete gratitude journals or cards to help deal with end of the semester stress. In BUS 303, students are asked to write for the Thriving Together Series through the Center for the Advancement of Well-Being, which is a series that highlights both the research and practices used to enhance one’s well-being. This assignment allows students the opportunity to research professional skills topics through a well-being lens.

Mason sophomore Jivantha Fernando became a Kindness Ambassador in fall 2022. “Many peers and professors have embraced me for my kindness. As an international student [being a Kindness Ambassador] has also given me the chance to spread kindness from my cultural viewpoint,” Fernando said.

Lucas is pleased with the growth of the project. “I applaud my colleagues in the School of Business,” Lucas said. “We’ll be able to apply what they’ve developed and lessons learned to other units across the university, which puts us on a path to sustaining this kindness revolution at Mason.”

Interested in getting involved with MCK or learning more about how to integrate kindness into your microcosm? Check out the MCK Toolkit.