Well-wishers: New committee to tackle improving well-being for employees, students.

Based on feedback received at a college-wide retreat a year ago, employees and students are coming together to promote wellness through programming and conversations.

During the retreat, employees wanted to see more done to create a positive culture and community in the college, so the College Advisory Council and Staff Advisory Council took on the task, before, ultimately, forming a “Wellness Committee.”

“That retreat provided a chance for all of us to sit down in one room together,” said Andy Greger, co-chair of the committee as well as the college’s educational technology manager “We not only got to talk about what’s going on in our work lives but our personal lives as well.”

The committee, which has been meeting since summer, consists of 10 members, including students, faculty, staff, and alumni, ensuring all constituents of the college are represented. Dr. Patrick Crane co-chairs the group with Greger.

Early pilot projects have featured yoga, Zumba and 5k runs — all virtual, of course.

“We want activities that actually connect people,” Greger said. “Our main goal is to have activities that get people together in real time.”

The committee decided to focus on the nine realms listed within the Ohio State University “Dimensions of Wellness,” with an early commitment to physical, social, and emotional needs.

“It’s more of a multifaceted approach to wellness.” Greger said. “It’s looking at the whole person instead of just their physical health.”

Greger feels that these initiatives are vital for the wellness of members of the MSU College of Nursing community as well as for the culture of the community. He hopes to continue seeking feedback from the nursing community to better inform programming moving forward.

“When we talk more about these things, we see each other more as human, we connect better, and we’re more likely to collaborate,” Greger noted. “It also brings out the talents of students, faculty and staff.”