Wellness at WPI

Save the Date! MIEA Intro to Mindfulness is a four-week evidence-based mindfulness curriculum the Center for Well-Being is offering to WPI employees and graduate students at no cost.  Registration opens on January 6 for the online program that runs Tuesdays, 4:00 to 5:15 PM, Jan 20 to Feb 10.  Learn more here.  

WPI Student Health Services is collaborating with researchers from The Miriam Hospital to offer a 10-week weight management program for college students as part of a research study. Sessions will be in-person at WPI Health Services and online. You may be eligible if you are a WPI student, 18-29 years old, and have a BMI of 25 or greater. Compensation will be provided. Follow this link https://redcap.link/cffh0me5 or call Mayor at (203) 741-8706 to learn more and see if you’re eligible to participate. A representative from HealthyU will be table sitting:  December 5th, 2025 at the Morgan Wedge from11:30am to 1pm January 20, 2026 at the Rubin Campus Center 11:30am to 1pm. 

WPI has been named to The Princeton Review’s 2026 Mental Health Services Honor Roll as one of just 30 institutions nationwide distinguished for exceptional commitment to student mental health and well-being. This designation acknowledges the university's collaborative efforts across campus to foster a culture of care.  Over the past several years, WPI has strengthened its student-wellness resources in a number of ways. In addition to expanding availability through the Student Development and Counseling Center, including after-hours support and group therapy, WPI has increased mental health skill-building programs, established Wellness Days, and implemented well-being training for onboarding students. Most notably, the Center for Well-Being was launched in 2023 as a hub for cross-functional campus efforts to improve student, community, and campus well-being, and provides a supportive space to gather, relax, reflect, and recharge. The Campus Wellness Coalition, made up of faculty, staff, and student representation, has further advanced the university's work by leading the adoption of the Okanagan Charter, developing flexibility guidelines for faculty, expanding wellness course offerings, and coordinating community-wide initiatives rooted in evidence-based practices. This Honor Roll recognition is part of The Princeton Review’s annual project—now in its second year—conducted in partnership with the Ruderman Family Foundation, an international leader in reducing mental health stigma and increasing awareness of campus resources. Institutions were selected based on results from the 2025 Campus Mental Health Survey, which gathered responses from administrators at 540 colleges and students at 300 institutions. This year’s survey revealed double-digit national gains in counseling, wellness, and student support programs compared to 2024. Being included on this list affirms that WPI’s integrated, data-informed approach is yielding meaningful impact. Recent WISHES (Wellbeing Improvement Survey for Higher Education Settings) data show increases in students’ sense of flourishing and belonging, and decreases in loneliness. Together, these efforts reflect a collective campus commitment to fostering a learning environment where well-being is central—and where every community member is supported to thrive. Read the Princeton Review press release here. 

Wednesday, December 10^th, from 12 pm to 1 pm in person, Innovation Studio 203, Register here Facilitators:  Sabrina Rebecchi, LMHC, Director of the Student Development & Counseling Center, Paula Fitzpatrick, Ph.D., Director of the Center for Well-being Teaching effectively shouldn’t come at the expense of well-being — for students or for faculty. This interactive session explores evidence-based strategies that nurture student engagement and success while promoting sustainable, energizing teaching practices. Participants will consider flexible approaches to STEM instruction, share practical ideas that support both learning and balance, and engage in collaborative reflection to identify actions they can apply right away. The focus is not on doing more, but on teaching in ways that help everyone in the classroom thrive.

MIEA Intro to Mindfulness is a four-week evidence-based mindfulness curriculum the Center for Well-Being is offering to WPI employees and graduate students at no cost.  Registration is now open for the in-person program that runs Tuesdays, 4:00 to 5:15 PM, Nov 11 to Dec 2. Register here