The Student Flourishing Initiative

Centering students in our campus-wide focus on mental health and flourishing

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For CU Students

The Student Flourishing Initiative

Fellowships & Scholarships

Courses & Microcredentials

Mindful Campus Practices

A shared vision guided by the student experience

Students are the heart of our campus, and the Student Flourishing Initiative is a direct reflection of that commitment.

Announced by Chancellor Justin Schwartz in March 2025, this multi-year initiative brings campus leaders, students, and scholars together around a shared vision for student mental health and well-being. Through a coordinated, campus-wide approach, the Student Flourishing Initiative at CU Boulder aims to strengthen comprehensive, collaborative, and effective programs and policies that promote student mental health and well-being, prevent suicide, and create the conditions for all students to flourish.

It starts with listening

Supporting student mental health and flourishing starts with listening to student voices. Their perspective informs the Initiative’s priorities and provides critical input every step of the way.

This video captures some of what we’ve learned so far, framed in the words of the Student Voice and Leadership Council. As we move from assessment to implementation, we carry these learnings with us.

Gold and black flowchart illustrating the Crown Institute’s participatory design cycle - 1. Build Trusted Teams, 2. Identify and Understand, 3. Co-Design, 4. Evaluate and Refine, and 5. Scale and Sustain.

The participatory design cycle in action.

The initiative is guided by the Crown Institute’s participatory design cycle—an approach that centers student voice as it draws insights from across the campus community.

‍“Ensuring student voices help shape our future plans is absolutely critical to creating an environment on campus where students are not only well but can flourish in their academic pursuits and personal lives.”

‍— Chancellor Justin Schwartz

The team

To shape programs, practices, and policies, the Initiative brings together dedicated campus leaders, faculty experts, and students.

Advisory Committee

The Advisory Committee includes deans, faculty, and leaders from across campus. The committee will provide recommendations and updates to Chancellor Schwartz.

View Advisory Committee Members

Scott Adler - Dean, Graduate School and Professor of Political Science
Lina Belaissaoui – CUSG, Director of Student Engagement
Daniel Acuna - Associate Professor, Computer Science
Devin Cramer - Dean of Students & Associate VC, Student Life
Kat Dailey - Assistant VC, Health and Well-Being
John Davis - Dean, College of Music
Sona Dimidjian - Director, Crown Institute and Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience
Chris Ewing - Vice Chancellor for Infrastructure and Resilience
Jennifer Fitzgerald - Associate Dean for Student Success, College of Arts & Sciences and Professor, Department of Political Science
June Gruber - Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience, Chair of BFA Student Affairs Committee
Alison Hanson - Program and Assessment Manager, Leadership Support and Programming
Christy Heaton - Assistant Vice Provost of Undergraduate Academic Experience, Office of Undergraduate Education
Montelleo Hobley Jr. - Director of Threat Assessment
Rosi Kaiser - Director, Center for Healthy Mind and Mood and Professor, Psychology and Neuroscience
Jess Keating - Assistant Vice Chancellor for Data & Analytics
Tamar Kodish - Assistant Professor, Psychology and Neuroscience
Craig Kuehnert - Director, Residence Life
Jessica Ladd-Webert - Senior Director of Trauma Response and OVA
Aris Larson - CUSG, Physical and Mental Health and Safety Chair
Joshua Lindenstein - Senior Director of Communication Operations
Matthew Mittiga - Executive Medical Director, Medical Clinic
D’Andra Mull - Vice Chancellor, Student Life
Tina Pittman Wagers - Clinical Professor, Director of Raimy Clinic, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience
Ryan Ragaglia - GPSG Senator; PhD Student, Leeds; Mental Health Researcher
Erika Randall - Interim Dean & Vice Provost, Undergraduate Education
Kris Richards - Director, Medical Services
Elizabeth Romero Fuerte - Assistant VP/Assistant VC, Digital Experience & Technology for Learner Success
Shawhin Roudbari - Co-Director, CEDaR and Associate Professor, Environmental Design
Amanda Scates-Preisinger - Director, Health Promotion
Liz Schmidt - Director, CAPS
Ann Schmiesing - Senior Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives and Professor of German and Slavic Languages
Lindsay Schotters - Assistant Director of Data Strategy, Analytics, and Insights, Health & Well-Being
Corry Smith - Director, Fraternity and Sorority Life
Seth Taylor - Director of Disability Services and the Student Testing Center
Joe Thomas - Senior Associate Vice Chancellor, Student Life
Leah Peña Teeters - Education Initiatives Director, Crown Institute
Lane Washington - Senior Advisor/Interim Assistant VC, Student Life
Jodye Whitesell – Director of Marketing and Communications, Crown Institute
Teresa Wroe - Assistant VC of Prevention Education & Deputy Title IX Coordinator
Julia Zigarelli - Deputy Director; Clinical Associate Professor, Crown Institute

CU Boulder Student Voice and Leadership Council

This council sits at the heart of the initiative, providing strategic input through ongoing focus groups and dialogue with undergraduate and graduate students at every phase of the Initiative’s development.

View Council Members

Undergraduate Members:

Soraya De la Oliva
Zey Eroglu
Jasmitha Gourabathini
Aris Larson
Charlie Lommen
Ryan Newton
Eli Schwartz
Samantha Versie

Graduate Members:

Catalina Henriquez
Anabel Salimian

Facilitators:

Michele Simpson - Faculty Affiliate & Research Associate, Crown Institute
Leah Peña Teeters - Education Initiatives Director, Crown Institute
Julia Zigarelli - Deputy Director; Clinical Associate Professor, Crown Institute

Alumni Members:

Ashley Dehaas
Deven Lemercier
Alyssa Osorio-Carillo
Diego Vidaurre

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The Jed Foundation

CU Boulder is partnering with the Jed Foundation (JED), a national nonprofit focused on protecting emotional health and preventing suicide among teens and young adults.