Seneca RED Fall 2021 Alumni Magazine - 7

Worth Repeating
Seneca news highlights
p. 8-9
On Campus News
Seneca Works
p. 10
ON
CAMPUS
Dynamic weeklong events to
support student success
Virtual Wellness
WELLNESS WEEKS, organized by Seneca
Athletics & Recreation, have looked quite
different for the Seneca community since
the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Previously,
the weeklong event took place on
campus, prior to Study Week. It included
massages, therapy animals, nutritious food
and more in-person activities for the Seneca
community, including students, alumni
and employees. However, due to the pandemic,
the Athletics & Recreation team
and participating Seneca departments
began hosting virtual Wellness Weeks
using online platforms.
" Very quickly when COVID-19 hit, an
increased consciousness was placed on
physical and mental well-being, and our
staff responded with dynamic and engaging
online content almost immediately, " said
Gillian McCullough, Athletic Director,
Varsity & Recreation. " By expanding their
skills in digital engagement and fostering
online connections, they found new ways
to advance the culture of well-being and
collaboration across Seneca. "
The first virtual Wellness Week kicked
off in October 2020. To date, the lineup
of events has included virtual yoga, a webinar
about nutrition and immune system
health, student wellness chats, Kahoot!
trivia, a Spring Equinox Full Moon
Events have included virtual yoga,
health webinars, student wellness
chats and more.
Teaching, sessions offering wellness tips
surrounding online learning, and more
events including fitness challenges to keep
the Seneca community active. Two virtual
sessions related to skin care were also hosted
by Lacey Elizabeth, a graduate of Seneca's
Fashion Arts advanced diploma program.
With Seneca focused on Au Large
initiatives, including sustainability, the April
2021 virtual Wellness Week highlighted beekeeping
and healthy environments with
Sustainable Seneca. Don Forster, Senior
Manager, Custodial & Support Service, and
Paula Echeveste, Sustainability Supervisor,
were live at Newnham Campus and used
Instagram to give online audiences an overview
of Sustainable Seneca's initiatives.
" Virtual programming was trending
before the pandemic, but I would suggest it
is here to stay. With more than a year of
forced experimentation now in the books, I
believe that hybrid programming will allow
us to enhance our impact on student success, "
Ms. McCullough said.
WELLNESS TIPS
* practise stress management and self-care
(think yoga and meditation)
* find joy in movement and move every day
* choose healthy foods that nourish your
body more often
* aim for an adequate amount of sleep
(seven to eight hours)
* spend time outdoors and connect to nature
Picture above: Melissa Sousa
RED 2021
7
PHOTO: IAN PAATERSON
Seneca RED Fall 2021 Alumni Magazine

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