One Year In: A Continued Focus on Student Well-Being

11/08/2022

It’s been a busy year for Eric Anderson, MBA (Grad Chaifetz ’04).

In early August 2021, Anderson, then SLU’s director of Campus Recreation and Wellness, was named the interim assistant vice president for student well-being, a position created to coordinate and expand SLU student wellness services across the Division of Student Development and the University. In March, he was named the inaugural AVP for student well-being.

“This new position showcases the University’s dedication to supporting student well-being in a holistic and comprehensive way,” said Sarah Cunningham, vice president for student development, when announcing his permanent appointment. “Eric’s ability to be a nimble, collaborative and compassionate leader since naming him as interim AVP last fall gives me full confidence that he’s the right person to help us shape the future of student well-being at SLU.” 

Anderson, who has worked at SLU for over two decades, said he was excited to help serve as one of SLU’s experts and key voices on student health and wellness issues. His portfolio includes the Student Health Center, University Counseling Center and Campus Recreation and Wellness. 

Under his leadership, Student Development has successfully recruited Knieba Jones-Johnson to serve as director of the University Counseling Center, Katie Skosky to serve as the director of the Student Health Center and Todd Robben to serve as director of Campus Recreation and Wellness. Additional team members have been welcomed in the last year as well.

“I’ve really enjoyed the opportunity to work with these new leaders, rebuild some teams, and begin to prioritize the focus we have as a group — trying to foster collaboration and work across units,” Anderson said.

As part of his role, he co-chaired SLU’s Student Well-Being Task Force along with Ellen Barnidge, Ph.D. (Grad Public Health ’08, ’05), Ph.D., M.P.H., interim dean of the College for Public Health and Social Justice. The task force was formed in September 2021 and comprised nearly 30 students, faculty and staff who brought a diverse set of views, experiences and expertise to the effort. 

“That task force was charged with looking holistically at SLU's health and well-being ecosystem on campus for students,” he said. “We were looking at things like policies and assessment; what we know, and what we hear. That included focus groups and listening sessions which gave us the opportunity to gain insights from across the institution.”

Their work led to a series of final recommendations that were approved by provost Mike Lewis and vice president Cunningham. The recommendations were shared with the campus in the summer of 2022.
 
“Our current students have experienced a much different college experience specifically, but also the lead up into college from high school,” he said. “COVID has impacted that in a way that has some positive and some negative effects. It is critically important to continue supporting students in innovative ways as our world — and our students — change.

“This time of transition is difficult to begin with, let alone with experiencing a global pandemic, racial inequities, and political and social challenges within our country and abroad,” he said. “Our students are growing up in a time with more uncertainty and it's important for us to remember the toll these pressures can have on student mental health.”

Anderson emphasized the entire student well-being team — Student Health Center, University Counseling Center, and Campus Recreation and Wellness — is ready to meet those evolving needs. 

As a Jesuit institution, Anderson said SLU doesn’t have to stop at mind and body, but also spirit. 

“We can talk about mind, body and spirit, and how these aspects of cura personalis are connected,” he said. “To me, that’s a privilege we have.”

Mental health counseling, spiritual support and well-being resources are available for all members of the SLU community. Now and throughout the year, the well-being resources are available at SLU.edu/wellbeing. 

“Some of those services aren’t brand new, but we are expanding our reach,” he said. “One of the things we found last year is that we have a great community of care here. We really forged some good relationships.”

Students are able to contact the University Counseling Center. Anderson noted there’s an option for 24/7 calls, so students have access to help even outside of normal business hours. And the UCC is exploring options to bring counseling to some of SLU’s other St. Louis campuses to make it even more accessible.

“We try to take an upstream approach,” he said. “Not just our clinical services, but our prevention services too, because that’s a big part of helping students maintain their health and well-being. This includes our health promotion and education team, along with our outstanding recreational programs and facilities.”

Anderson said he’s heartened to see how the SLU community has rallied together to support students and ensure they have the resources they need. 

“Each of us has to do those important things every day that keep us whole, that keep us well so that we can be a better friend, a better student, a better parent,” he said. “Times have been challenging across the world during the pandemic, but I think our students are starting to show more willingness to talk about their challenges — that it’s OK to not be OK — and it’s our goal to continue encouraging that expression in whatever form it takes.”