Caitlin Walters, MS

2025 Recipient

ACHF College Well-Being Award

“Thrive in the Classroom: A Toolkit for Empowering Faculty to Nurture Healthy Learning Spaces”

When looking to improve student well-being in college communities, universities naturally have implemented changes to improve the accessibility, quantity, and quality of wellness resources available to students. However, studies are showing that some students may first approach faculty or advisors to seek support. Knowing this, several institutions have requested that faculty and staff shoulder a significant amount of responsibility for students and their well-being, especially regarding student mental health. This project will support faculty and staff by providing a toolkit of well-being resources that they can use to embed well-being into their classrooms and learning environments.

About the Project Director:

Caitlin Walters has nearly eight years of experience working in higher education. In her current role at South Dakota State University, she is responsible for health promotion and the implementation of campuswide well-being initiatives to support the health and well-being of the entire campus community. Caitlin is passionate about improving access to and increasing awareness of well-being resources. Julia and Caitlin have collaborated on several projects over the past few years, including the development and implementation of a student survey and sensory-friendly map of the campus wellness center, the State of Well-Being Podcast, and a handful of programs and events.