Champion Wellness at the University of Arkansas

Building a Stronger, Healthier University Community: Expanding Access to Psychological Support for Students and Faculty 

Mental health is the foundation of academic and professional success, yet university students, faculty, and staff often face significant barriers to accessing psychological support. By integrating two critical initiatives—the Student Evaluation Access Project and the Resiliency Initiative for faculty and staff—we will create a comprehensive system that ensures both students and educators receive the care they need to thrive. 

Supporting Students: The Student Evaluation Access Project 

Psychological assessments are crucial for students seeking academic accommodations, mental health support, and timely diagnoses. Unfortunately, long wait times, high costs, and limited availability of qualified providers in the community create unnecessary roadblocks for those in need. Through this initiative, we will reduce these barriers by securing a dedicated clinician and essential testing resources, allowing more students to access evaluations quickly and affordably. By ensuring timely diagnoses and accommodations, we can directly and quickly improve student success, mental well-being, and long-term academic outcomes. 

Supporting Faculty and Staff: The Burnout Prevention Program 

Faculty and staff play a vital role in shaping the university experience and our communities. Burnout is a growing crisis in higher education, leading to stress, disengagement, and declining teaching quality. Our Resiliency Initiative offers free, short-term courses of therapy to help faculty and staff build resilience, set boundaries, manage stress, and find renewed meaning in their professional roles. Research shows that nearly one-third of faculty report symptoms of burnout, affecting their ability to mentor students, conduct research, and maintain work-life balance. In Arkansas, where access to mental health resources is already limited, proactive support is essential. 

Why This Matters 

A university is only as strong as its students and educators. By investing in both student psychological evaluations and faculty well-being, we can create a supportive, thriving academic environment where students receive the resources they need to succeed, and faculty remain engaged and motivated in their roles. Your support helps us expand access, improve mental health outcomes, and foster a culture of care within our university that will inevitably flow into our communities throughout Arkansas. 

Together, we can build a healthier, more resilient academic community—one that prioritizes both student success and faculty well-being. Every contribution makes a difference in the effort to provide access to all.