Multiple voices. Shared action. A healthier university.

The Well-Being Collective at Old Dominion University brings together people from across the university to advance health and well-being through coordinated, system-wide action. Using a collective impact approach, the Collective engages multiple levels of the institution to strengthen the policies, practices, environments, and systems that shape well-being at ODU.

The Office of Health Promotion serves as the backbone for this work, providing coordination, infrastructure, and support while action-oriented members across the university help move shared priorities forward.

The Collective is guided by a Shared Agenda, which identifies common priorities and provides a roadmap for action. To support meaningful progress while avoiding initiative fatigue, the Collective focuses its coordinated efforts on one shared priority each year, allowing members to align resources, amplify impact, and create sustainable change across the university.

Layers of Impact

Executive Sponsors

  • Champion the health promoting university mission among leadership councils and the greater community.
  • Advance the work by embedding health promoting practices into their daily work and educating others with their influence.
  • Support the Well-Being Collective by nominating and supporting Advisory Council members and Working Group members.
  • Provide strategy, guidance, identify and remove barriers, and amplify opportunities to continue to advance the work.

Members:

  • Dr. Alfred Abuhamad, Executive Vice President for Health Sciences
  • Brandi Hephner LaBanc,  Ed.D., Vice President for Student and Campus Life
  • Ashley Schumaker, Executive Vice President for Administration and Chief Operating Officer


Advisory Council Co-Leads

  • Lead the Advisory Council by providing strategy and guidance to the Backbone and the Working Group.
  • Amplify and guide the health promoting university mission through connecting institutional resources and partners, elevating content experts, and aligning institutional priorities.
  • Leads remain constant to the Well-Being Collective structure.

Members:

  • Anca Dobrian, Senior Associate Vice President for Faculty Affairs and Professional Development
  • Veleka Gatlin, Associate Vice President For Workforce & Community Relations
  • Bridget Weikel, Associate Vice President for Wellbeing & Belonging


Advisory Council Members

  • Similar to the Advisory Council Leads, they amplify and guide the health promoting university mission through connecting institutional resources and partners, elevating content experts, and aligning institutional priorities. 
  • Members are recruited for one specific Shared Agenda item at a time and identified as stakeholders and change agents.


Working Groups

  • Coordinate and execute an action plan to accomplish the Shared Agenda.
  • Members are recruited for a specific Shared Agenda item and identified as a stakeholder, expert, and for their ability to execute change.


Activator Members

  • Gain a deeper understanding of HPU frameworks, terms,  and strategy 
  • Prepare and practice weaving well-being within their departments

Members:

  • Marrisa O’Neil - University Chaplins Association
  • Coulson Thomas - Recreation & Wellness
  • Jake Anglim - Recreation & Wellness
  • Wayne Mitchell - ODU Global
  • Jean Holt - Recreation & Wellness
  • Holly Tenaglia - Ellmer School of Nursing
  • Rick Handel - Faculty Affairs and Professional Development
  • John Wiley - Talent Management and Culture
  • Casey Roberts- Women & Gender Equity Center
  • Shanda Jenkins - Faculty Recruitment & Well-Being
  • Laura Dawson - ODU Global
  • Catherine Moss - ODU Global
  • Amy Cavanaugh - Counseling Services
  • Christopher Buie - Public Safety
  • Rachel Miller - Financial Services
  • Tim Walsh - Emergency Management
  • Millicent Lee - Talent Management and Culture
  • Ladonya Winston - Health Services
  • Jasmin Kirby - Libraries

Backbone

Facilitate the implementation and evaluation of the Well-Being Collective, directing Working Groups and gathering strategy and guidance from Executive Sponsors, Advisory Council Leads and members.

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Join Us

For those interested in becoming involved, the Office of Health Promotion will host a virtual HPU Activator Institute in November. The interactive series is designed to deepen understanding of HPU, explore campus examples and leading practices, and provide practical tools for creating change.

The Institute includes three sessions:

  • November 9, 10-11:30 a.m.: Health Matters & Systems Approaches 
  • November 16, 10-11:30 a.m.: It’s a Canal Not a Stream & Salutogenesis 
  • November 23, 10-11:30 a.m.: The Limerick Framework & The Activator’s Journey 

Participation does not have to be all or nothing. Those seeking the full Activator experience can attend all three sessions, while others are welcome to attend individual sessions based on interest. You do not need to be ready for a larger commitment to begin exploring this work. Attend one session, learn a new way of thinking about well-being, and consider what health promotion could look like in your own corner of ODU.