State of Wellbeing, a podcast from South Dakota State University

Environmental Wellness

In this episode of State of Wellbeing, host Caitlin Walters and guest Lisa Marotz, the Director of McCrory Gardens, explore the concept of Environmental Wellness and share practical ways students, faculty, and staff can enhance it in their daily lives. They highlight the benefits of spending time in nature and discuss how caring for our personal spaces can contribute to a healthier environment overall. 
 
Learning Outcomes:
1. Define environmental wellness.
2. Identify two ways to practice mindfulness in nature.
3. Identify two benefits of time spent outside.
 
Processing Questions:
1. What is environmental wellness, and how do you define it?
2. What are two ways you can improve your own environmental wellness using tools and resources in the Brookings area?

A Wellbeing Conversation with the Van D. and Barbara B. Fishback Honors College

This week, we come back to our series on the Opportunity Center Student Success NETwork. Dr. Chris Larson, Noah Roerig, and Jaritza Cazares Cruz discuss how the Van D. and Barbara B. Fishback Honors College and the Honors College Student Organization support student success and wellbeing at SDSU.
 
Learning Objectives:
1. Discuss how honors courses foster deeper understanding and community among students.
2. Outline the initiatives and activities designed to connect honors students with the campus and Brookings community.
3. Reflect on the challenges faced by honors students and how the Honors College addresses these challenges.
 
Processing Questions:
1. How does the Fishback Honors College contribute to the holistic development of students at SDSU?
2. Consider the role of faculty in supporting honors students. How have faculty members impacted your academic journey?
3. What types of events or activities would you like to see in your academic environment to foster engagement and well-being?

Building Connections: Supporting New Students at SDSU

In this episode of State of Wellbeing, host Kevin Sackreiter sits down with Cody Burggraff, Director of Student Programs at South Dakota State University, to explore the vital role of new student orientation in fostering a sense of belonging and connection on campus. They discuss the challenges new students face, from information overload to navigating a new environment, and how SDSU supports them through orientation leaders and a wide range of campus organizations. Tune in to learn about the importance of building connections, finding your place at SDSU, and how getting involved can enhance student well-being and success.
 
Learning Objectives:
1. Listeners will describe the purpose and structure of new student orientation at SDSU. 
2. Listeners will explore ways to engage with peers, faculty, and staff to foster connections and build a sense of community.
3. Listeners will articulate the value of relationships with faculty, staff, and peers in their overall college experience.
 
Processing Questions:
1. What are some ways you have - or plan to - build connections at SDSU?
2. Have you ever felt overwhelmed by new information in a school or work setting? How did you handle it?
3. What actions can you take to become more involved in campus activities and leadership opportunities?
4. How can faculty, staff and peers contribute to a student's sense of belonging on campus?

A Wellbeing Conversation with the Veterans Affairs Office

In this episode of State of Wellbeing, host Kevin Sackreiter sits down with Russ Chavez, Director of the Veterans Affairs and Resource Center at South Dakota State University (SDSU), to discuss the crucial role the center plays in supporting student veterans, service members, and their families. Listeners will gain insight into the transition process for veterans entering higher education, common challenges student veterans face, and accessing wellbeing resources.
 
Learning Objectives:
1. Describe the mission and services of SDSU's Veterans Affairs and Resource Center in supporting student veterans, service members, and military-connected students.
2. Discuss the transition difficulties veterans may face when moving from military service to a university setting.
3. Identify mental health resources available to student veterans, including SDSU Counseling Services and VA-affiliated support.
 
Processing Questions:
1. How do events like Warrior Wellness Week and the Veterans Retreat contribute to the wellbeing of student veterans?
2. What mental health and wellbeing resources are available to veterans at SDSU, and how can they be accessed?
3. How can faculty and staff make their classrooms more welcoming and supportive for student veterans?

A Wellbeing Conversation with the American Indian Student Center

As we continue our series on the Opportunity Center Student Success Network, a team from the American Indian Student Center (AISC) joins the podcast to discuss initiatives to support student success and promote students' mental, physical, and emotional health. The episode also highlights upcoming events and the importance of community engagement to foster a supportive environment for SDSU students.
 
Learning Outcomes:
1. Describe the mission and services provided by AISC.
2. Recognize the various support services offered by AISC, including retention advising and holistic wellbeing programs.
3. Describe the ways in which AISC and the student organizations AISA and AISES engage with the SDSU community and the broader Brookings community.
 
Processing Questions:
1. How does AISC support students' holistic wellbeing?
2. What opportunities exist for members of the SDSU and Brookings communities to engage with activities from AISC, AISA, and AISES?
3. How have the guests' personal experiences influenced their roles and contributions to AISC and the student organizations?

A Wellbeing Conversation with Continuing and Distance Education

In this episode, Carey Kilmer, Director of Continuing and Distance Education, and Mercedes Schievelbein, Enrollment and Student Success Coordinator, discuss how SDSU serves distance learners, online students, and high school dual enrollment students, ensuring they receive the same level of academic and wellbeing support as on-campus students. Learn about the virtual student union, tutoring, and academic support for remote learners, and building a sense of belonging as a distance student.
 
Learning Outcomes:
1. Describe the services the Office of Continuing and Distance Education offers to support online and distance learners.
2. Identify strategies for time management and stress reduction tailored to distance learners.
3. Discuss how SDSU fosters a sense of belonging for online and distance learners.
 
Processing Questions:
1. What challenges have you faced (or do you anticipate facing) as an online or distance learner?
2. What strategies have helped you stay organized or motivated in online courses? What are some ways to manage time effectively as an online student, especially when balancing school, work, family, and other responsibilities?
3. How can you proactively engage with faculty, advisors, and peers in an online setting?
4. What steps can you take to make sure you're using SDSU's online student resources effectively?

A Wellbeing Conversation with the Lucas P. Wintrode Autism Support Center

This podcast episode highlights SDSU's efforts to support autistic students through the Lucas P. Wintrode Autism Support Services program. Hosted by Kevin Sackreiter, the episode features Keena Melville, the program's director, who explains how the initiative enhances student success.
 
Learning Objectives:
1. Explain the purpose of the Lucas P. Wintrode Autism Support Services at SDSU.
2. Describe common challenges faced by autistic students in academic and social settings.
3. Identify ways in which educators and peers can advocate for and support autistic students.
 
Processing Questions:
1. What are some common academic and social challenges faced by autistic students at SDSU?
2. In what ways can educators and peers support autistic students in feeling more included and represented?
3. What are some ways students, faculty, and staff can actively participate in promoting autism awareness and support at SDSU?

A Wellbeing Conversation with the SDSU Graduate School

This week's episode of State of Wellbeing focuses on the holistic support offered by South Dakota State University to graduate students. Hosted by Kevin Sackreiter, the conversation features Nicole Lounsbery, Director of the SDSU Graduate School, and Kristen Kponyoh, Assistant Director, discussing the resources and initiatives available to promote graduate student success and well-being.
For more information, visit https://www.sdstate.edu/graduate-school.
 
Learning Objectives:
1. Identify the services and resources provided by the SDSU Graduate School to support student success from admission through graduation.
2. Compare the needs of graduate students with those of undergraduate students, especially regarding life responsibilities and the availability of campus services.
3. Explain the importance of graduate students’ involvement in professional, social, and community activities to build networks and enhance their overall experience.
 
Processing Questions:
1. Why is well-being emphasized as a critical factor in graduate student success?
2. If you are currently an undergraduate student, what wellbeing habits could you develop now that would help you be successful later in graduate school?
3. If you were a new graduate student at SDSU, which resources or programs discussed in the podcast would you prioritize using and why?
4. How can faculty, staff, and the local community better support the unique needs of graduate students?
 

The Opportunity Center and Student Success NETwork

In this episode, Kevin Sackreiter, Executive Director for the Center for Professional Enrichment and Teaching Excellence, kicks off a new series focused on the Student Success NETwork at SDSU. Kevin is joined by Tina Birgen, Coordinator for Student Success and Opportunity, who serves as the liaison for the Student Success Network within the Wintrode Student Success and Opportunity Center. Tina shares insights into the Student Success NETwork, detailing its mission to holistically support students through a coordinated team approach. 
 
Learning Objectives:
1. Listeners will be able to identify the various support services available through the Student Success NETwork.
2. Listeners will understand the referral processes within the Student Success NETwork and will be able to navigate these processes to access the appropriate support services.
3. Listeners will recognize the importance of faculty and staff awareness of the Student Success NETwork and their roles in supporting student success through advocacy and resource connections.
 
Processing Questions:
1. How do the Wintrode Student Success and Opportunity Center and the Student Success NETwork partners contribute to student success?
2. How do the Opportunity Center and Student Success NETwork integrate mental health and wellbeing into their services?
3. How can faculty and staff at SDSU leverage the Student Success Network to better support their students?

Jack's Cupboard

Jack's Cupboard is the free, on-campus food pantry at South Dakota State University. In this State of Wellbeing episode, the Jack's Cupboard student leadership team discusses their goal to alleviate food insecurity among SDSU students by providing food and personal care items to Jackrabbits who need them.
 
Learning Objectives:
1. Define food insecurity and its impact on students' mental, social, and physical wellbeing.
2. Explain the purpose and services provided by Jack's Cupboard at SDSU.
3. Summarize how students can access Jack's Cupboard.
 
Processing Questions:
1. In what ways can food insecurity impact a student's academic performance and mental health?
2. What are some ways that students, faculty, and community members can support Jack's Cupboard?
3. What are some possible solutions to address food insecurity among college students on a larger scale?