Wellness at WPI

The CWB is hosting Mind Matters: A Community Mental Health Fair on Wednesday, September 9th on the Quad. We're in need of some volunteers to help us with some of the booths. There are slots open for various roles and times during the 11am-2pm event (1hr shifts). If you are available and can lend a hand, we would really appreciate it! Please sign up by end of day next Thursday (9/3) so we have an idea of head count. All volunteers will get specific instructions from Gina Heinsohn by the end of next week. Here's a ​​brief overview​​ of each of the areas we're asking for help with. You can sign up for a slot here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094FA8AC2CA5FFCE9-65411738-mind#/

Calling all employees: Join us on Thursday, September 17th at Polar Park and watch the WooSox take on the Durham Bulls (1st pitch @ 6:05pm)! Tickets are $25 and include entry to the game and our reserved terrace, all-you-can-eat buffet, and a bus to/from Polar Park. Limit 2 tickets per person. See MyWPI for more info and to purchase tickets.  Sponsored by the CWB, Housing Residential Experience Center, and Talent & Inclusion. Email gheinsohn@wpi.edu with any questions.

Can you believe it’s already mid-August?! With the beginning of the academic year, we at the CWB wanted to let you know about some employee wellness programming that’s coming up. You can also checkout all the CWB’s employee programs and services at any time on our website. Registration is open for A-Term employee ProjectConnect ProjectConnect is a fun, 6-session peer-led program to help you get to know colleagues outside of your office and build community on campus. Over the course of six weeks, participants discuss a series of thought-provoking questions, complete a mini connection project, and get together for a celebration.  Meets in-person Tuesdays 12-1pm from August 25th – September 29th (Bring your own lunch) Sign up here! Registration closes August 24th Registration is open for A-term employee Student Support Network (SSN) SSN is a 6-week training course that is held for faculty and staff during A-Term each year. This is a great opportunity to go in depth on topics related to supporting others (especially but not exclusively students) navigating an array of situations, stressors, and/or mental health related challenges while also developing and strengthening relationships with other WPI staff and faculty. Meets in-person Wednesdays 12-1pm from August 26 – September 30 (Bring your own lunch) Register here! Registration open until August 26^th as long as seats are available WPI Employee Outing to WooSox on September 17th – more info and tickets available soon! Sponsored by the CWB, Housing Residential Experience Center, and Talent & Inclusion. Join us on Thursday, September 17th at Polar Park and watch the WooSox take on the Durham Bulls! The first pitch is at 6pm. Tickets will be able for purchase via MyWPI – keep an eye out in WPI Today soon for the link and more info! QPR (suicide prevention training) for employees happening early September More info and sign-ups will be in WPI Today soon! Wellness Day is Friday, September 25^th Keep an eye out in WPI Today for more info in September including employee events, volunteer opportunities, and more! You can always reach out to us with questions and to request more info on any of our programming at cwb@wpi.edu!

Wellness Days are built into the academic calendar as days to reflect, relax, reconnect, and reenergize as individuals and as a campus community. There are no classes, no assignment due dates, no non-critical lab work, and no meetings on these days. Wellness Days are for everyone, not just students! Find ways to take a step back and focus on your own well-being too! Reminder, ALL events/programs/activities happening on campus on Wellness Days must get approval from the CWB. It does not matter if the event is “part of Wellness Day” or not, during the business day or not, or in your academic space or not. This allows us to coordinate all that’s happening and connect groups who are doing similar events to reduce duplication and maximize resources. It also allows us to boost awareness of all events from a single source and increase engagement with your event. Event requests must be received at least 2 weeks in advance of the Wellness Day to be included in our printed promotional materials (events requested after that can still be included on our website and in digital materials). All requests must be received at least 1 week before the Wellness Day to get approval. Requests received less than 1 week in advance will not be approved. A-Term Wellness Day: Friday, September 25th (requests must be submitted by September 18th) B-Term Wellness Day: Tuesday, November 3rd (requests must be submitted by October 27th) C-Term Wellness Day: Friday, February 12th (requests must be submitted by February 5th) D-Term Wellness Day: Monday, March 29th (requests must be submitted by March 22nd) The form to request events on Wellness days as well as more information and our FAQs can be found on our website. Additional questions can be emailed to cwb@wpi.edu.

The Center for Well-Being is pleased to offer funding for up to 20 faculty members to participate in Teaching Mindful Moments, a practical 5-week online training from the Mindfulness Institute of Emerging Adulthood (MIEA). This program is designed for educators who want to integrate brief, evidence-based practices that help students arrive ready to learn, sustain attention, and manage stress more effectively.  No prior mindfulness experience is required. Participants will learn: • Simple mindfulness practices that can be integrated into courses in just a few minutes • Strategies to support student focus, stress management, emotional regulation, and engagement • Approaches for adapting mindful moments to different classroom environments This opportunity builds on the success of WPI's Intro to Mindfulness course, where students consistently report gaining valuable skills for managing stress and being more present in their daily lives. Research also indicates that mindfulness practices can improve well-being, resilience, and academic engagement among college students. The Center for Well-Being will cover the full cost of participation for selected faculty members. If you are interested in participating, please email me at pfitzpatrick@wpi.edu and let me know which session you are interested in. I hope you will consider joining us as we continue to explore practical ways to support student well-being and learning in and beyond the classroom. Best, Paula Fitzpatrick Director, Center for Well-Being Learn more here:  https://miea.com/courses/teaching-mindful-moments/   Choose a Cohort: July 9 – Aug 6, 2026 Thursdays • 9:00–10:30 AM ET Or Sept 14 – Oct 12, 2026 Mondays • 6:00–7:30 PM ET Reserve Your Spot