ROARing 20’s: Cultivating Responsible, Optimal, Authentic, and Resilient Students

Abstract

COVID-19 exacerbated a multitude of challenges facing institutions of higher education. The abrupt transition to virtual programming and support services substantially impacted how students lived, learned, and stayed connected to their campus environments. With this shift, one institution reimagined their orientation programming to prioritize advancing community well-being through a student-centered and equity-minded approach. These frameworks informed the strategy for helping students understand the interconnectedness of health and well-being topics as they matriculate into, and engage with, the campus community. This initiative increased students’ knowledge, confidence, and intention to support themselves and their peers as they transition to the college environment.