OSU-CHS recognized for health and wellness initiatives
Thursday, June 12, 2025
Media Contact: Kayley Spielbusch | Digital Communications Specialist | 918-561-5759 | kspielb@okstate.edu
The well-being of students, faculty and staff is a priority at Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences.
The Department of Wellness leads several initiatives to support individuals at OSU-CHS, including the OSU Pride Works: Health and Wellness Certificate Program for employees. The program recently earned the Innovative Integration Award as a part of the annual ComPsych Health at Work Awards.
ComPsych’s Health at Work Awards is an international program that recognizes organizations that prioritize employee health and well-being. The Innovative Integration Award honors organizations for exemplary holistic programs that address different dimensions of well-being, including physical, financial, social and intellectual.
For Kelsey Ashwood, employee wellness coordinator, the award represents the university’s dedication to its employees.
“It is so special to be a part of the culture of care at OSU-CHS. The Health and Wellness Certificate Program came from a place of caring about our employees and wanting to create a healthier, more positive and productive workspace,” Ashwood said.
The certificate program, a collaboration between the wellness and human resources departments, addresses barriers identified in the National Faculty and Staff Health Assessment from the American College Health Association. The assessment's results highlighted scheduling and time difficulties as the biggest barriers to employee participation in preexisting wellness programs.
To solve this problem, the Health and Wellness Certificate Program was implemented into employee professional development. The comprehensive program’s courses occur during regular business hours on paid company time. Obtaining the certificate may also be considered in employee career paths.
“Not only are employees able to participate in the certificate program and improve their well-being, but they’re seeing that OSU supports their health. It applies to them personally and the way they show up to work, the colleagues they work with and the students they serve,” Ashwood said.
Some of the events and courses offered by the Department of Wellness that count toward the certificate include TED Talk Tuesdays, Mental Health First Aid Training and Generational Differences in the Workplace, among others.
“I hope that as we continue sharing the Health and Wellness Certificate Program with our campus and other institutions, it inspires more organizations to view employee well-being as an essential part of professional development,” Ashwood said.
From employee to student support
OSU-CHS’s dedication to wellness also extends to students.
“It’s crucial for students to maintain their health because it directly impacts their ability to flourish academically,” said Jesse Chaffin, health and wellness manager at OSU-CHS. “Our role as a university is to support students throughout their academic journey. When students are healthy, they’re more likely to develop effective coping skills and achieve stronger academic outcomes.”
In addition to organizing campus recreation activities to promote physical health—such as providing on-campus fitness centers, intramural sports and group fitness classes, the Department of Wellness addresses other aspects of health, including mental health.
The Department of Wellness conducts the National College Health Assessment every other year to obtain an in-depth view of students’ well-being. Results from the fall 2024 survey revealed over 50% of OSU-CHS students are struggling when it comes to their mental health.
Recognizing the continued need for support in this area, the Department of Wellness offers multiple initiatives to address this. Chaffin said the majority of the department’s efforts are focused upstream on prevention, primarily through the workshops, trainings and other programming they provide.
“Our goal is to equip students with the skills they need now, as well as the tools that will support them throughout their future careers,” he said.
Many of the wellness resources available for employees are also available to students, including health education seminars, an on-site fitness center, counseling services, the Reboot Center, nutrition counseling and even pet therapy.
"Higher education is demanding - not just for students, but also for those who work
in this environment. It's a challenging journey and learning how to manage stress
in healthy ways is essential to protect one's well-being and continue moving forward
with purpose."
Additionally, every student must complete Question, Persuade and Refer (QPR) training during their first year. QPR teaches students how to recognize suicidal behaviors and help prevent it.
Chaffin emphasized the importance of providing support to students and employees.
“Higher education is demanding — not just for students, but also for those who work in this environment,” he said. “It’s a challenging journey and learning how to manage stress in healthy ways is essential to protect one’s well-being and continue moving forward with purpose.”
Visit the OSU-CHS Department of Wellness webpage to explore available resources for students, employees and residents.