Dear colleagues,

We are delighted to invite you to the upcoming system-wide Student & Employee Mental Health and Well-being Committee event, "Advancing Student and Employee Health and Well-Being as a Health Promoting University", scheduled for Wednesday, October 9 at 1 – 3 p.m. CST, free via Zoom. Register now!

We are honored to have Dr. Rebecca Kennedy as our distinguished speaker. Dr. Kennedy serves as the assistant vice president for student health and wellbeing at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, which is the first official Health Promoting University (HPU) in the United States. 

This event will explore the concept of a Health Promoting University as an institution that integrates health into its culture and operations, guided by the Okanagan Charter. Factors like academic pressure and social isolation can negatively impact the mental health of students and staff on campus. To promote mental health, an HPU implements changes in settings and systems, such as redesigning spaces to encourage interaction and providing mental health resources. Becoming an HPU involves commitment, community engagement, and the development of health-focused policies across the campus.

Please visit the website for more information on the keynote speaker along with the University of Illinois System's commitment to Student & Employee Mental Health and Well-being.

This event is free, but you must register to participate. We kindly request your prompt registration with a U of I email address to secure your spot at this important event. Please use this registration link to confirm your attendance.

Thank you for your support and commitment to our U of I System community. Together, we hold the power to impact the lives of our students and employees.

Best regards,

President Tim Killeen
EVP/VPAA Nick Jones