In Fall 2023, Student Wellness and Health Promotion Director Joy Allison watched several of her staff members present programs on a range of wellbeing topics at the University’s annual Student Life conference. These presentations on collegiate recovery, violating the alcohol policy and safe celebrations around high-risk holidays like St. Patrick’s Day inspired Allison to think about how to share this information beyond just Student Life staff. 

“We decided it could be beneficial to share these with the broader campus community, and Learning Hours was born,” said Allison.

Learning Hours is a monthly series that invites students, faculty and staff in person to Warner Hall and virtually on Zoom to learn more about wellbeing topics, share information and promote wellbeing at UD. 

“The great thing about Learning Hours is that everyone can learn something from the sessions,” said Allison. “These topics impact everyone, whether that’s you or people in your life who may benefit from the information you receive.”

Learning Hours presentations aim to align with the Wellness Wheel, which indicates the seven dimensions of wellness: environmental, spiritual, emotional, professional, intellectual, social and physical wellness. 

This spring, SWHP is looking to tackle topics like dating apps, healthy relationships, bystander intervention, LGBTQIA wellness, meditation, sleep and more.

“Topics are chosen with a variety of factors, which include student voice, staff input based on current trends, national awareness activities and monthly themes, and more,” said Allison. “For example, we know year-to-year that some students may experience anxiety during the holidays, specifically being around family that may not share the same views. ‘Home for the Holidays: Boundaries and Conversations’ was created to share skills and ideas for navigating those difficult interactions.” 

A co-presenter for ‘Home for the Holidays,’ Interim Assistant Director for Health Promotion and Peer Education Jennie Maslow has led multiple Learning Hours topics, including “Helping Yourself, Helping Your Students,” with the assistance of a peer educator and graduate assistant.

“This program was intended to assist faculty and staff with bringing wellbeing practices and understanding into their classrooms and offices, and to help students better advocate for their wellbeing with their professors and advisors,” said Maslow. 

In October 2024, Assistant Director for Victim Advocacy Zainab Shah led her own Learning Hours, “Hold & Center: Unpacking Relationship Violence,” alongside two Support of Survivors (SOS) peer educators. 

“October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and we presented on domestic violence and the intersection of racial justice,” said Shah. “This went along with the national theme for the month, which was ‘Heal, Hold and Center—No Survivor Justice Without Racial Justice.’”

Allison emphasized the importance of student presenters and their ability to relate to the student experience for attendees. 

“There are students that have co-presented and it was a wonderful partnership to include the student perspective,” said Allison. “We would like to continue to provide this leadership and public speaking opportunity.”

Sophomore animal biosciences and neuroscience double major Jax co-presented a Learning Hours presentation with Interim Assistant Director for Collegiate Recovery Prevention Programs Jessica Estok. Their topic—“What is Collegiate Recovery?”—focused on eliminating misconceptions about recovery and redefining what it means for a UD student. 

“Bringing education about the CRC and eliminating the stigma against recovery from experiences like substance use and mental illness is important to me,” said Jax. “I think it’s important to support people who are trying to improve their lives, such as quitting substances and overcoming mental illnesses. It’s hard work and we shouldn’t penalize our classmates for difficult experiences.”

Allison said that Learning Hours removes barriers of participation, making it as easy as possible for the community to get involved.

“Learning Hours are great because there is no expectation of people in attendance; you can come and just listen, or even join virtually,” said Allison. “This initiative provides a supportive and non-threatening environment to explore key wellness topics. All participants gain the benefit of being in a community with each other and engaging. Students can gain new skills and ideas about how to advocate for their own wellbeing, and enjoy the opportunity to build relationships with faculty and staff in a relaxed, non-academic setting.”

Check the UD Events calendar for information on upcoming Learning Hours. Additionally, SWHP is gathering feedback for future topics, trends of concern, interest in co-presenting and snack recommendations. Email studentwellbeing@udel.edu with questions or comments.