State of Wellbeing, a podcast from South Dakota State University

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?

Heart to Heart: Relationships and Communication

From friendships and romantic partnerships to roommate dynamics and professional connections, this episode of State of Wellbeing discusses the importance of building and maintaining meaningful relationships. Tune in for an insightful discussion on the role relationships play in overall wellbeing and how small changes can lead to healthier, more balanced interactions.
 
Learning Objectives:
1. Listeners will learn strategies for nurturing and maintaining meaningful relationships through effort, communication, and mutual respect.
2. Listeners will gain insight into initiating and fostering new friendships by engaging in campus activities, practicing social confidence, and being open to new experiences.
3. Listeners will understand the importance of setting boundaries in relationships and practice asserting their needs in a respectful and healthy way.
4. Listeners will learn techniques for addressing and resolving conflicts, including direct communication, active listening, and seeking third-party support when necessary.
 
Processing Questions:
1. How do relationships contribute to overall wellbeing and what happens when they are not maintained?
2. How can you become more aware of your own needs and effectively communicate them in relationships?
3. Why is it important to address conflicts directly rather than avoiding them or using indirect communication methods like texting?
4. What strategies were mentioned for making new friendships in college? Which strategies do you think would work best for you?

Decision Making

This episode of the "State of Wellbeing" series focuses on decision-making, particularly from the perspective of college students. Hosted by Kevin Sackreiter, the discussion features Gabriel Hertler, a mental health counselor, as they delve into the complexities of decisions students face, including academics, relationships, and personal habits.
 
Learning Objectives:
1. Identify common challenges college students face when making decisions about academics, relationships, and personal habits.
2. Reflect on personal values and how they influence decision-making.
3. Identify SDSU resources that support students in personal and academic growth.
 
Processing Questions:
1. Can you identify a recent decision you made that had a significant impact on your life? What factors influenced that decision?
2. Reflect on a time when you overcommitted to one aspect of your life (e.g., academics, relationships, or leisure). How did it affect other areas of your life?
3. Have you ever tried to form a new habit? What challenges did you face during the process, and how did you address them?

Taxes and Your Paper Trail: What to Keep and What to Toss

In this episode of State of Wellbeing, Chief Wellness Officer Shari Landmark is joined by Victoria Dubbelde, an accounting lecturer, to discuss financial wellness with a focus on tax preparation. Learn about essential tax documents, record keeping, and practical tax organization tips.
 
Learning Objectives:
1. Identify key tax documents needed for filing taxes.
2. Learn about the VITA program and how it offers free tax preparation services for students and the community.
3. Learn practical tips for organizing tax records to reduce stress during tax season.
 
Processing Questions:
1. Have you ever experienced challenges during tax season due to missing or disorganized documents? What could you do differently this year?
2. How does understanding taxes contribute to overall financial wellness?
3. January is Financial Wellness Month. How can you use January as a time to set financial goals or improve your financial organization?