Journal of College Orientation, Transition, and Retention

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

Padma Entsuah

Columbia University

Kelly Gorman

Columbia University

Jaclyn Hawkins

Columbia University

Raphael Coleman

Columbia University

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24926/jcotr.v28i2.3732

Keywords: Well-Being, Flourishing, Student-Centered, Equity-Minded, COVID-19

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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.  

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Author Biographies

Padma Entsuah, Columbia University

Padma Entsuah, MPH, CHES is the Senior Health Promotion Specialist at Alice! Health Promotion at Columbia University. Padma’s work in in higher education spans both public and private institutions, overseeing initiatives related to sexual violence prevention, stress management, sleep, nutrition, physical activity, and health promotion strategy. Her primary professional interests include supporting student well-being through a socioecological-based lens.

Kelly Gorman, Columbia University

Kelly Gorman, MSc is a Health Promotion Specialist at Alice! Health Promotion at Columbia University. Kelly's professional background includes experience working in a number of different functional areas throughout student affairs, Title IX, and higher education. Kelly currently oversees health promotion initiatives related to flourishing, resilience, stress management and coping, sleep, nutrition, and time management. Her primary professional interests are related to promoting individual and community flourishing. 

Jaclyn Hawkins, Columbia University

Jaclyn M. Hawkins, MEd, NBC-HWC is a Health Promotion Specialist at Alice! Health Promotion at Columbia University. Jaclyn’s professional background spans several functional areas in higher education and student affairs. Jaclyn has extensive experience working in social justice education, mental health, and leadership development. Her professional interests include supporting student health and well-being through a trauma-informed and intersectional lens.

Raphael Coleman, Columbia University

Dr. Raphael Coleman is the Director of Columbia Health Alice! Health Promotion at Columbia University. As a public health trained student affairs scholar-practitioner, Dr. Coleman has worked in a variety of functional areas in higher education for 10 years. His scholarship and practice pay attention to equity-minded approaches to health promotion in higher education, the social and academic experiences of Black LGBTQ students, and mental and emotional well-being among university students.