State of Wellbeing, a podcast from South Dakota State University

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?

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?
 

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 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?

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?

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?

Financial Wellness Month continues with this episode focused on financial wellness from the student perspective. The host, Caitlin Walters, interviews Abram, a senior majoring in business economics and entrepreneurial studies, about practical financial strategies for college students and how financial health should integrate with other aspects of wellness.
Learning Outcomes:
1: Listeners will understand ways students can reduce spending while on campus.
2: Listeners will identify campus resources where they can connect with other students and learn about investing.
3: Listeners will be able to identify different sources for financial literacy information.
 
Processing Questions:
Who do you have in your life that you can turn to for financial advice?
What are two changes you can make in your spending habits to reduce unnecessary spending?
What financial goals can you set for yourself this semester, to help improve your financial wellbeing?

This episode of State of Wellbeing focuses on financial wellness, featuring Jennifer Olson, Senior Vice President of Business Banking at Bank Star Financial, and Shari Landmark, Chief Wellness Officer at South Dakota State University. Together, they explore the differences between debit and credit cards, the importance of building a credit history, and strategies for maintaining a healthy credit score. Jennifer shares personal anecdotes, practical advice, and insights on managing finances responsibly. Whether you're a student or a professional, this episode offers valuable tips for achieving financial fitness and avoiding common pitfalls.
 
Learning Objectives:
Listeners will understand the difference between debit cards and credit cards and when to use one versus the other.  
Listeners will be able to identify ways that their credit scores may impact them and how to improve their credit score. 
Listeners will be able to identify two resources for improving their financial literacy.  
Processing Questions:
What are the downsides of credit cards, and how you can mitigate them? 
How can students find a balance between using a debit/credit card responsibly?  
What resources are available to students wanting to learn more about financial literacy? 

January is Financial Wellness Month. To start the month, Caitlin Walters, SDSU Wellbeing Specialist, and Lorna Saboe-Wounded Head, SDSU Extension Family Resource Management Field Specialist, discuss saving money while in college. The episode emphasizes proactive financial management and provides actionable steps to achieve financial wellness.
 
Student Learning Outcomes:
1. Define the purpose and importance of budgeting as a foundational financial skill. 
2. Differentiate between short-term savings for emergencies and long-term investing for retirement or major life goals.
3. Locate and utilize campus and community resources for personal financial education and counseling.
 
Processing Questions:
1. What are some effective methods for tracking and managing a budget mentioned in the episode?
2. What is the recommended starting amount for an emergency fund, and how can students work towards building it?
3. Reflect on your current budgeting or spending habits. What adjustments could you make based on the advice shared in this episode?
4. What financial goals do you currently have, and how can you use the strategies from this podcast to achieve them?
 
 

In this episode of State of Wellbeing, host Teresa Seefeldt, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education at South Dakota State University, is joined by Dean of Students, Toby Uecker. Together, they explore the "Red Folder" resource, a practical tool designed to assist faculty and staff in recognizing, responding to, and referring students in distress. Toby shares valuable tips on navigating challenging conversations with students, addressing mental health concerns, and building rapport. The discussion also highlights additional training opportunities, such as QPR, and the role of campus resources in supporting the wellbeing of the SDSU community.