The Wellbeing Series

Upcoming Events
Anti-Racism Work: Dismantling your Practice featuring Nicole Cardoza
Thursday, February 18
Noon – 1:30 p.m. Central
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In this interactive discussion, Nicole will outline the importance of anti-racism work to our individual and collective wellbeing. Together, we'll analyze how white supremacy and systemic oppression has influenced our perception of wellness, and emphasize tangible ways to create a practice that serves all of us.
You'll learn about the necessity of abandoning allyship for action, the difference between the wellness industry and collective wellbeing, and ways to commit to a consistent practice that elevates our capacity of wellbeing - together!
About Nicole Cardoza
Nicole Cardoza is an entrepreneur, investor, writer and public speaker. Her work focuses on increasing access to health and equity through representation, redistributing capital, and building innovative solutions for commitment and accountability. She is the founder of Yoga Foster, Reclamation Ventures, and the co-founder of the Mental Health League, and organizes the Anti-Racism Daily, a daily newsletter to dismantle white supremacy. Learn more about her work at nicoleacardoza.com and @nicoleacardoza on Instagram.
The Clinical and Public Health Importance of Social Wellbeing featuring Julianne Holt-Lunstad
Wednesday, April 21
12 to 1:30 p.m. Central
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Social relationships are both adaptive and crucial for survival, yet in light of the current pandemic we have limited means of fulfilling this biological need. Indeed, evidence suggests social isolation and loneliness were prevalent prior to the pandemic and may be exacerbated. Social connections have powerful influences on our wellbeing, health and longevity and lacking social connection qualifies as a risk factor for premature mortality. Growing evidence also points to the short-term effects on biomarkers of health and health relevant behaviors, guiding understanding of both the causal mechanisms by which social connection influences physical health and the ways in which this influence can inform potential intervention strategies. The current pandemic has shown us how integral social contact is to every aspect of our lives, and thus each of these sectors can play an important role in solutions.
About Julianne Holt-Lunstad
Julianne Holt-Lunstad is a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Brigham Young University; an adjunct professor at Swinburne University of Technology; Melbourne, Australia; and the founding chair of the scientific advisory committee for the Coalition to End Social Isolation and Loneliness. Dr. Holt-Lunstad’s research is focused on understanding the long-term health effects, biological mechanisms, and effective strategies to mitigate risk and promote protection associated with social connection. Her work has been seminal in the recognition of social isolation and loneliness as risk factors for early mortality.
AfroBlue: Dreams of Freedom, Racial Reconciliation, and Healing Justice featuring Andrew Williams
Wednesday, October 20
12 to 1:30 p.m. Central
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Inspired by his African American ancestor’s heroic efforts to attain freedom and racial justice, Andrew Williams will invite us to enter a conversation about the shifting cultural, spiritual, and political meanings of blackness across the Americas. Drawing from his work with diverse African diaspora communities, Andrew will highlight the beauty and power of a comparative perspective and transnational solidarities in mapping a path forward toward Black freedom, transformative justice, individual and collective healing, and racial reconciliation.
About Andrew Williams
For over twenty-five years, Andrew has worked at the intersections of cultural anthropology, educational equity leadership, community-based learning, and global education as a teacher, advisor, college administrator, and non-profit leader. As a cultural anthropologist, Andrew’s teaching and research have focused on the cultural politics of blackness within the U.S., Latin America, and the Caribbean. His applied anthropological work has included projects focused on climate change, environmental justice, and health equity in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. As Assistant Vice Chancellor of Student Success, Engagement, and Equity, Andrew currently provides strategic leadership for the University of Minnesota Rochester’s efforts to center equity and holistic public health as crucial elements in the university’s vision of undergraduate and graduate health sciences education.
Sponsors
- Boynton Health Service/Office of Student Affairs
- College of Continuing & Professional Studies
- College of Education & Human Development
- College of Design
- College of Liberal Arts
- College of Pharmacy
- Humphrey School of Public Affairs
- Institute on the Environment
- Medical School
- Office of Equity and Diversity
- Office of Human Resources
- School of Dentistry
- School of Nursing
- School of Public Health
- University Recreation and Wellness