Four Strategies for Addressing Students’ Well-Being Holistically

Four Strategies for Addressing Students’ Well-Being Holistically

-Amelia Parnell, Ph.D.

The fall academic term is starting, and with it comes many opportunities and challenges for students as they proceed with the next phase of their learning journey. As professionals across institutions strive to provide a seamless environment in which students can learn wherever they are, this is a critical time for holistic support strategies to be in place. Holistic approaches must address well-being because as students pursue their academic, social, financial, and other aspirations, they will need a continuous focus on their capacity to handle myriad priorities.

The Inter-association definition of well-being[1] is simply stated as “an optimal and dynamic state that allows people to achieve their full potential”. The broader definition focuses on two types of well-being: individual well-being and community well-being. A few of the considerations in these areas include such things as one’s feelings about their life, their attainment of basic needs, and satisfaction with community life. This definition provides an excellent frame for how college students can pursue their goals in comprehensive ways, and there are four strategies that professionals can use to support them in doing so.

Collaboration across roles, offices, and functions

For some students, navigating the college environment can spur feelings of both excitement and concern. Today’s learners are making several important decisions simultaneously, from whether to continue with their selected major, to how to navigate social networks. Holistic support is essential because as students transition from one term to the next, from one course to the next, or even from one housing location to the next, resources that are available at the optimal time and in the ideal way can make their decisions easier to process. Collaboration among faculty, staff, and administrators helps ensure that regardless of where a student experiences an issue that affects their well-being, there is a connected approach for addressing it.

Consistent focus on proactive approaches

The landscape of higher education is rapidly changing, and senior leaders are dealing with current situations while preparing for future scenarios. Similarly, students are making plans today that will affect their lives tomorrow. This balance of present and forthcoming considerations also relates to how institutions can provide holistic support. When possible, professionals should examine existing systems, structures, and policies, especially those that have not been discussed in several years. Such reviews can reveal areas for improvement and highlight opportunities to proactively redesign resources to adequately address students’ needs. In some instances, this can also lead to faster resolution of issues that arise. Similar to how the definition of well-being is multifaceted, professionals have several avenues for preparing holistic approaches in advance. For example, membership associations, research organizations, and policy and advocacy organizations across various disciplines offer opportunities for campus professionals to learn from each other and share effective practices.

Clear explanations of available resources

Today’s college students are receiving information from multiple sources and at a rapid pace, which can influence their capacity to make important and time-sensitive decisions. Holistic approaches for supporting students’ well-being rely on them being able to consistently understand and access resources. Programs and services must be designed and delivered with a focus on how students will learn about what is available and how to request help when they need it. The timing and method of communication are key considerations, as well-curated information provides a clear path of action for students to take.

Connection to students’ voices

Students are experts about their experiences, and holistic approaches for addressing their well-being are most useful when informed by students’ perspectives. By asking students about the extent to which they can address their well-being through connected and intentional programming and with clear communication, professionals can assess whether resource modifications are needed. Gathering feedback from students is common, and one valuable part of the process is follow-up discussions. In these moments, professionals can tell students how their input led to process changes and, ultimately, improved outcomes.

During this fall term and the countless new terms that follow, college students will continually experience situations that prompt them to explore various aspects of their personality, identity, and values. They will also examine the results of their interactions and decisions in the context of their individual needs and their contributions to various communities. There will likely be many instances in which students’ college journeys will affect their well-being, but professionals are prepared to support them with holistic strategies that are collaborative, proactive, well communicated, and student informed. That is an ideal approach for helping students reach their full potential and prepare for the many opportunities that await them during and after their college experience.

Amelia Parnell currently serves as President of NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education and is an accomplished higher education executive and an internationally recognized thought leader regarding current issues and emerging trends in the field. She is a passionate advocate for higher education as a tool for personal advancement and impact, and she seeks opportunities to partner with organizations and individuals who share her sincere commitment to centering students' needs. In her prior role as vice president for research and policy for NASPA, Dr. Parnell led many of the association's scholarly and advocacy-focused activities and fostered partnerships with college administrators, researchers, grant makers, and other higher education professionals. Amelia recently completed four years of service on the Board of Directors for EDUCAUSE, where she was Chair of the Finance & Investment Committee and the Audit Committee. She is also the past chair of the Higher Education Equity Network, a collective impact network representing more than 25 organizations at the forefront of addressing racial equity in higher education. Amelia holds a Ph.D. in higher education from Florida State University and master’s and bachelor’s degrees in business administration from Florida A & M University.

[1] NIRSA: Leaders in Collegiate Recreation, NASPA - Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education & ACHA - American College Health Association (November 2020). Inter-association definition of well-being. Retrieved from www.nirsa.org/hands-in