Philosophy Statement

Wellness Philosophy Statement regarding Diversity and Inclusive Excellence

As a leader of wellness programs in higher education, Student Affairs' commitment is to the greater community in which we serve. The concepts of high level wellness were first proposed by Halbert L. Dunn, M.D., in 1973. Wellness is a concept which is inclusive of all ages, all races, all genders, all cultures, all sexual orientations and all physical and mental ability levels. The promotion of wellness is one which is anchored in self-responsibility and therefore programs and services must reflect a platform which is capable of meeting all individuals in their current state of health and moving them toward a more optimum level of health.  That continuum can most readily be observed in the model proposed by John Travis, M.D.  In Dr. Travis’s model, we move from a traditional medical model to one in which the emphasis is on inclusivity, awareness, education and growth.

It is our belief that it is incumbent upon any leader of wellness programs to reach out to all constituents in an effort to meet them in one of the six dimensions of wellness where they most currently reside and inspire them to continue their growth in all six dimensions of William Hettler’s wellness model. When programming for excellence in an effort to achieve optimal wellness, one must address what is practical and applicable for the individual in order to affect substantive change in the community at large.  When focusing on inclusive excellence and empowering the individual by reinforcing personal responsibility, one addresses a fundamental tenant in wellness doctrine, which is opportunity for expression of each individual’s uniqueness and their place of dignity among the greater community.