Title: Strategies for Incorporating Wellbeing in the Classroom

Incorporating well-being into college student learning can facilitate a positive and supportive academic environment. This session will discuss strategies to enhance the well-being of college students. Key approaches include mindfulness, to reduce stress and improve focus; social and emotional learning (SEL) through activities that build social skills and emotional awareness, regular emotional check-ins to demonstrate care and support; multiple means of engagement and expression empowering students with choices to enhance their sense of control in their academic journey; and encouragement of wellbeing education and healthy habits. These and similar strategies demonstrate the priority of overall wellbeing and can help create a more positive and effective educational experience.

Dr. Hernandez directs UTSA’s Wellbeing Services, a department encompassing health and mental health education and promotion, victim advocacy services, substance recovery services, and student assistance services. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in psychology and a Master of Science degree in social work, both from the University of Texas at Austin; and a doctoral degree in social work from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Dr. Hernandez has over 20 years of experience as a licensed clinical social worker and supervisor in the state of Texas. Dr. Hernandez has been working in college mental health since 2003.  Her clinical and research interests are in suicide prevention, sexual assault prevention, and trauma recovery.  Before becoming associate dean, Dr. Hernandez spent much of her career in college counseling and was previously the director of UTSA’s Counseling and Mental Health Services.