Grant program encourages multifaceted approach to health and wellness

Encouraging healthy living is the goal of the new Well-being Grant program that is awarding funds of up to $1,000 to Binghamton students, faculty and staff to lead initiatives that promote health and well-being in the campus community. Facilitated by the Healthy Campus Initiative (HCI) Grant Committee, the program is part of Binghamton University’s Healthy Campus Initiative.

“We hope this grant program encourages our students, faculty and staff to become agents of change,” said Cindy Cowden, senior associate director of Campus Recreational Services and chair of the HCI Steering Committee. “Building a culture of well-being on campus is an active process that requires a concerted effort, financial resources and a holistic approach. We’re looking forward to receiving proposals that help make this vision for Binghamton University a reality.”

The grant’s first recipient — the Harpur Hero Committee — utilized its award to support the peer-to-peer Harpur Heroes recognition program that recognizes support staff nominated by their peers for their outstanding service to the University. Programs like Harpur Heroes play an important role in creating a workplace culture where staff feel engaged, connected and appreciated — all of which contribute to improved personal well-being and a healthy campus culture.

“The B-Healthy well-being grant funding enabled us to recognize each person who was nominated as a Harpur Hero with a small gift and personal card,” said Nancy Baudendistel, senior budget and finance coordinator for Harpur College. “Our committee, Maja Dragojlovic, Tracey Greene and myself, delivered the wrapped gifts to the doorsteps of their homes or left them in their offices. They were received with such excitement, especially due to the pandemic. These gifts greatly helped the morale and emotional well-being of our Harpur support staff. It helped us to feel together, even though we were working remotely.”

Harpur Hero Colleen Marshall agrees.

“This initiative has brought Harpur College staff together as a team,” said Marshall. “It is very nice to receive unsolicited feedback from the people you work with every day. The impact we have on others just by our day-to-day actions is amazing and it is nice to be recognized for it — it was very uplifting and made me feel proud. The Harpur Heroes program is very important for creating a team environment, and I appreciate that Harpur was the recipient of this grant to make it happen!”

Any Binghamton University student, faculty or staff member is eligible to apply. Departments, SA-chartered clubs, recognized organizations or teams of individuals may also apply. Submissions from collaborative groups or teams are highly encouraged.

Applications may be submitted through the online form anytime between September and April for review on a monthly basis. Health- and well-being-focused initiatives that support students, faculty and staff are eligible for consideration. Priority is given to collaborative initiatives that support the Healthy Campus Initiative’s Strategic Plan objectives.

Questions about the grant program may be directed to the HCI Grant Committee at Bhealthy@Binghamton.edu.