Three ways to support campus well-being as a university leader

Mental health has consistently topped the list of university leader concerns through the pandemic. ACE surveyed university leaders on multiple occasions across the last year, and each time, mental health has garnered the number one spot—above long-term financial viability and enrolment numbers.

My team and I have spent most of this year researching campus-wide well-being best practices through an executive-level lens. Through conversations with university leaders, chief wellness officers, heads of student support, provosts and other key well-being stakeholders, we identified three essential priorities for senior leaders to advance campus well-being work.

Most pressing challenges facing university leaders due to COVID-19

1. Mental health of students
2. Mental health of academic staff
3. Long-term financial viability
4. Enrolment numbers for spring semester 2021
5. Racial equity issues

1. Set and promote a shared language and vision for well-being

The university leader sets the tone for institutional priorities, and well-being is no exception. We consistently heard from partners that well-being must be a campus-wide effort, and the support of leadership is a key ingredient to creating a campus culture of well-being.

Step one to setting the tone is establishing a shared vision and language so campus community members feel empowered to engage in well-being initiatives and dialogue.