Western Michigan University

Beth Northuis

Student Success Advocate

My approach to student well-being has remained grounded in getting to know students as individuals, understanding their goals, identifying whether they need additional support or connection to resources, and intentionally following up with them throughout their journey. During those followup conversations, we celebrate successes, discuss challenges, and work together to recalibrate or find balance using the wellbeing wheel tool.

This approach evolved in 2022 alongside Western Michigan University’s implementation of the Navigator Network, a holistic support system designed to meet the changing needs of students. The Navigator Network is comprised of 11 professionals focused on helping students navigate academics, financial aid, mental health, fitness and wellness, and connection and belonging on campus. Each area receives alerts, creates referrals, meets with students one-on-one, provides preventative programming, and hosts special events designed to support student success and well-being.

Within the fitness and wellness area that I oversee, we created the “Kickstart Your Fitness Journey” initiative in response to trends we identified through student alerts and one-on-one conversations. Many students shared that they wanted to utilize the recreation center but felt intimidated or unsure where to begin. To help reduce those barriers to entry, we developed a program that has connected more than 40 students to a variety of wellness opportunities at no cost. Through this initiative, students receive free equipment orientations, one-on-one fitness or wellness coaching, up to three complimentary personal training sessions, and access to a four-week small-group training program called Learn to Lift, which is offered at a minimal cost.

"When students feel connected, supported, and welcomed, they are more likely to persist, thrive academically, and develop lifelong well-being habits."

Another collaboration I am especially proud of is our partnership with student government during Mental Health Week each semester. Together, we provide free fitness classes to all students, faculty, and staff across campus. This year, we expanded the initiative from offering three complimentary classes to opening our entire 35-class-per-week group fitness schedule to the campus community. In the first year alone, we supported more than 260 undergraduate and graduate students through free class access.

We also recognize that traditional outreach methods, such as flyers and in-person meetings, no longer engage students in the same way they once did. Students are increasingly looking to connect with resources through short-form social media content, websites, digital platforms, and even chatbots. At Western Michigan University, we are intentionally adapting our outreach strategies to meet students where they are. Within University Recreation, our “Be You” campaign highlights students, faculty, and staff who participate in recreation and well-being programs by sharing their personal stories of connection and growth. Through this digital campaign, participants have spoken about finding community through F45 fitness classes, joining club sports teams, climbing the wall, and participating in intramural sports. These experiences have helped students feel welcomed, reduce stress, improve their academic success, and strengthen their overall sense of well-being.

These experiences continue to reinforce what we see across higher education: when students feel connected, supported, and welcomed, they are more likely to persist, thrive academically, and develop lifelong well-being habits.