Case Study: Bates College Student Wellbeing
Updated: 2 days ago
Objective
To integrate WellSort into the “Well-Being at Bates” initiative to teach wellbeing dimensions, connect students to campus resources, and support meaningful action in their journey.
Bates at a Glance
Location: Lewiston, Maine
Enrollment: 1,760
Campus Lead: Brenna Callahan, Director of Health Services and Student Well-Being
Implementation Strategies
Integrated WellSort into onboarding materials sent to every Bates incoming first year student to introduce Bates’ Nine Dimensions of Well-Being campaign & corresponding campus resources & programs.
Utilizing as a teaching tool during regular wellbeing workshops with first year students and upper classmen to help define what wellbeing means to them, help them develop meaningful goals & connect with wellbeing resources.
Using aggregate WellSort data to get a clear understanding of Bates students’ wellbeing priorities & deliver targeted programs & resources at the time students need them.
Embed wellbeing into campus culture rather than a stand alone activity - WellSort will be integrated into programs & partnerships, making wellbeing a sustained & visible part of the student experience
Data Insights
Physical activity, travel & sleep topped students’ priorities.
Incoming first year students prioritized growth and connection, while students in mixed-year workshops prioritized basic needs, fun, and restoration.
Incoming students' top priorities included stepping out of their comfort zone (73%), exploring career paths (72%), forming meaningful relationships (69%), and volunteer opportunities (68%).
By contrast, mixed-year students prioritized exercise (78%), travel and adventure (70%), sleep (65%), and time for fun and relaxation (65%), illustrating how wellbeing needs evolve across the college journey.
Learnings & Next Steps
Embed through trusted voices. Bates has accomplished broad reach by activating student-facing partners, such as faculty, coaches, and staff, rather than promoting the card sort from a single department.
Cast a wide net across campus. Partnering with Residence Life, Academic Support, Campus Life, and the Center for Belonging & Community has exposed students to WellSort in the spaces and through relationships they already trust.
Bates expanded wellbeing workshops, deepened campus partnerships, and invited first-year and upper class students to retake the card sort, helping them understand how their priorities might shift and change throughout their college experience.
We're 6 months into WellSort implementation and have been so thankful! The platform has helped facilitate connections with new campus partners and student groups. Each time, we've been able to see students conceptualize their priorities in new words and start to take action!
-Brenna Callahan Director of Health Services and Student Well-Being
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