The Wellness Warriors of the Snyder Center: Helping Students Manage Stress and Build Resumes

At the Snyder Center, a group of students play important roles as wellness educators and fitness monitors. These students have the responsibility of helping to schedule classes, events, and programs while also gaining valuable on-campus job skills. Two such wellness educators are Bella Verheyen and Alyssa Ott.

Verheyen, a criminal justice major from the class of 2025, works in the Student Wellness and Health Promotions office at the Snyder Center. She plans to pursue a career in law or join the FBI, and believes that it’s important to take care of oneself when in demanding careers. Verheyen educates her peers on stress management, nutrition, and maintaining healthy relationships. She also offers a 10-week “Wellness Certificate” course to help students boost their resumes, with weekly Zoom calls featuring health experts.

Ott, a psychology major from the class of 2024, has been a wellness educator for three years and plans to pursue a master’s degree in industrial and organizational psychology. She enjoys hosting events like Wellness Wednesdays and encourages other students to take advantage of the free resources available on campus. Both Verheyen and Ott have found their roles as wellness educators to be beneficial not only for managing stress but also for personal and professional development. They emphasize the importance of self-care and utilizing the resources available on campus, such as mindfulness events and deep breathing sessions. By taking on these roles, the students at the Snyder Center are not only helping their peers but also preparing themselves for their future careers.