Butler University has cultivated a comprehensive wellbeing initiative that demonstrates the power of collaboration, strategic alignment, and continuous improvement. Through BU|BeWell, Butler has developed a framework that supports students holistically by integrating research, best practices, and thought leadership in the field of wellbeing. This initiative is designed to not just meet the needs of the current student population but to offer scalable, sustainable solutions for institutions of all sizes. BU|BeWell shows how schools can strategically integrate efforts and ground them in research; the core of this approach lies not just in BU|BeWell but also in the Strategic Well-being Institutional Support System (SWISS)—an assessment tool developed to ensure every initiative aligns with real-time data insights and evolving student needs.

Ohio University's commitment to student wellbeing has been a transformative journey characterized by an evolving approach that integrates purpose-driven strategies and collaborative efforts across the campus. That approach is guided by the Well-Being & Recreation department's vision to be a catalyst for wellbeing that is accessible to all. Additionally, the university has prioritized creating an inclusive environment that supports not only the health of individual students but also the broader campus community.

The University of California, Berkeley’s Exercise is Medicine® On Campus (EIM-OC) initiative transcends traditional wellness programs by embedding holistic health into the campus culture. This initiative enhances physical health and integrates mental, emotional, and social wellness, creating a multi-dimensional approach to student health. Furthermore, unlike many institutions that primarily focus on individual health improvements, UC Berkeley employs a systemic approach that includes multiple campus stakeholders. This elevates their EIM program to a model of comprehensive, community-focused wellbeing.

The effective operation of campus recreation facilities is integral to providing a safe and inclusive environment that promotes physical activity, health, well-being and community engagement among students and other recreation users. Campus Recreation Essentials: Facility Operations leads staff through their crucial roles in programming, scheduling, staffing, budgeting, maintenance and more.

Often the largest employer of students on campus, the recreation department can provide experiential learning opportunities and career readiness to its staff Crafting a training and development plan for those student employees can transform the experience and lead to more prepared young professionals. Campus Recreation Essentials: Student Staff Training & Development leads supervisors through the process of creating an intentional, effective training strategy grounded in student development theory. Written with examples of application in the field, guidance of good assessment practices, and suggested learning competencies, there are takeaways for any campus recreation professional. NIRSA’s Campus Recreation Essentials series focus on the building blocks needed to create a recreation program from the ground up, or to prepare a new staff member to take over or improve an existing program. Written by experts in their fields, the Essentials series is an invaluable resource to small programs, new programs, or professionals who are new to campus rec.