Former Steger Starbucks space transforming to support student wellness

The old Starbucks space in the Steger Student Life Center is slated to become home to new space for UC’s Student Wellness Center. Staff from the Wellness Center and Student Affairs have teamed up with students to create an inviting space to support the personal well-being, engagement and mental health of students.

The idea for the Student Wellness Center space came from students involved in a Mental Health Sprint innovation session in January, 2020 following a charge from President Pinto to find ways to better support student mental health on campus.

​​​​​​​“I am really excited to see how the new Student Wellness Center space on campus is going to turn out,” states Macy Wilson, Junior in Sociology and part of the presenting team. “I never expected my team’s idea to turn into this amazing project and have such a big impact, but I’m honored to be a part of a movement that is promoting the wellness of UC students. I think this new space is going to have many benefits for students whether it’s just a place to relax or somewhere to meet new people.”

Funding for the space revitalization was provided by the Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) in the fall of 2020 to support the mental health of students. ODHE recognized the critical need increased mental health and counseling support services for students enrolled in Ohio's public universities, and encouraged universities to utilize the funding to support the immediate behavioral health response related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Megan Killip, first year graduate student in Social Work says “I’m so excited that I’ll be able to have a space on campus to come to where I can reconnect with myself. Being able to find peace during the chaos of campus life is such an exciting feeling!”

The new space will feature evidence-based strategies to improve student well-being and mental wellness, including programs and workshops, opportunities for building connections with others, and self-care events.

“We are thrilled to expand the services that we provide for students,” says Brandy Reeves, director of UC’s Student Wellness Center. “The new space will allow us to engage with students and teach hands-on skills for maintaining and improving their mental wellness and overall well-being.”

​​​​​​​The Student Wellness Center is part of the Division of Student Affairs. Its mission is to empower students to make informed decisions regarding their health and wellness through evidence-based education, inclusive resources, and non-judgmental support.