Overview:

The Health, Wellness, and Movement House (HWMH) is an on-campus living/learning community at Grand Valley State University.  The mission of the house is to support its residents in learning about and living a healthy life while exploring and engaging with the eight dimensions of wellness. These include: emotional, physical, environmental, occupational, spiritual, intellectual, financial, and social. Residents will engage with each other and campus partners to develop diverse and open perspectives, critical thinking, and personal investment in the pursuit and maintenance of a healthy lifestyle.

Goals:

• Ample engagement with and between students (peers), faculty and staff related to their interests in health and wellness
• Allow students to experience and appreciate the diverse perspectives of wellness and work together to provide a positive living experience for all residents.
• Utilizing the dimensions of wellness and student success principles, faculty and staff will collaborate to facilitate timely matriculation and academic success in their disciplines.

Who is it for?

The Health, Wellness, and Movement House is intended for all students spanning the University that are invested in learning, living, or supporting a healthy and active lifestyle together.  

• Exercise Science, Health and Physical education, Sport Management, Allied Health Science, Athletic Training, Biomedical Sciences, Psychology, Physicians Assistant Studies, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Behavioral Neuroscience, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Medical Laboratory Sciences, Radiation Therapy, Speech-Language Pathology, etc.
• Personal interest in health and wellness.

Why Live in the Health, Wellness and Movement House:

• Participate in programs focused on health and wellness (speakers, socials, service learning, field trips)
• Connect with peers and peer mentors
• Interact on a personal level with faculty and staff specializing in health and wellness
• Experience the diverse perspectives, activities, and beliefs of people with similar interests but varied backgrounds and personal insights
• Increased access to Recreation & Wellness programs including, discounts, on-site services such as group exercise classes, and wellness coaching, and drop-in events like recreational activities and outdoor adventures. 

How we reach our goals:

• Faculty and staff members are present throughout the week during office hours in the HWMH.
• Tutoring services are coordinated within the house.
• Workshops and programs are hosted on-site.
• Peer mentoring from current residents
• Extra-curricular activities are hosted and organized within the house.
  • Student groups (clubs) have access to meeting space within the facility
  • Guest speakers are invited
    • i.e. healthy eating, stress management, wellness
  • Service learning and community service opportunities are provided
  • Field trips
• Advising services are provided within the house.
  • During faculty office hours
  • Departmental Advising Nights
  • Professional advisors are present during the week
• Co-curricular activities are hosted and organized within the house.
  • Academic program meetings are hosted on-site.
  • Undergraduate research collaborative experiences/opportunities
  • Workshops related to professional development, resume building, interview preparation, etc.

Personnel

Faculty Director: Dr. Brian Hatzel, Physical Therapy and Athletic Training (CHP. PTAT)

Faculty Fellow: Dr. Nick Lerma, Movement Science (CLAS, MOV)

Recreation and Wellness Partner: Katie Jourdan, MPH, CHES (Student Affairs, RecWell)

Faculty partner: Jenny Baweja, MS, CTRS, CIFT (CHP, AHS)