College of Education and Human Development

CEHD Wellness Program

The College of Education and Human Development wellness program is meant to encourage the use of employee health benefits and beyond. You are an essential part of the WMU community with and we want to invest in you and your health and well-being. On this page, find numerous health resources, wellness events, monthly tips, walking maps and more!

CEHD Wellness Club

Exclusive for faculty and staff within the college, the club meets for lunch (not provided) on the 2nd Wednesday of the Month from Noon-1pm, and the 4th Tuesday of the month from 12:30pm-1:30pm, all in room 2401 Sangren. Lunches are a casual meet up where members share wellness related goals, challenges, or celebrations for that week. Attendance is not required every week to be a part of the club. For updates on club activities, join the Microsoft Teams group.

The club also hosts wellness workshops. Please fill out this form, if you want to receive invitations to future workshops and events. Upcoming workshops are below:

  • Immune Support & Elderberry Syrup Workshop: [DATE TBD], 11:30am-12:30pm
    We will be making elderberry syrup for attendees to take home at the end of the workshop and discussing basic herbs / supplements to support your immune system through the winter germ season.
RSVP
More information

Monthly wellness tips

April is National Stress Awareness Month. Stress is a natural reaction the body has when changes or challenges occur. It can feel exciting and foster growth and performance. However, chronic and overwhelming stress can lead to anxiety and health issues like burnout. Check out these American Psychological Association tools for managing stress.

Mental Health Training: safeTALK
Friday, April 3, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Sindecuse, Room 3131
safeTALK is a half-day training in suicide alertness. It helps participants recognize a person with thoughts of suicide and connect them with resources who can help them in choosing to live. More information and registration can be found on ExperienceWMU. You must be logged in to view the event. 
 
Plants are Powerful: Diet and the Environment
Wednesday, April 15, 12:05-12:55 p.m., Sindecuse Health Center, Rm 3131
This evidence-based workshop focuses on what a healthy plant-based diet is and how what we choose to eat impacts our environment. Register here.
 
Mental Health Training: Mental Health First Aid
Friday, April 17, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Sindecuse, Rm 3131
Mental Health First Aid for Higher Education is an internationally recognized training offered by Integrated Services of Kalamazoo. The training teaches participants how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance abuse disorders. This in-depth training includes a discussion of specific risk factors, skill building to provide initial support to someone who may be struggling or in a crisis, and practice applying the action plan in a number of scenarios. More information and registration can be found on ExperienceWMU. You must be logged in to view the event. 
West Hills Athletic Club
Introduction to Adult Tennis
April 27 to June 6 (No classes May 23 and May 25)
Whether you’re brand new to tennis or haven’t picked up a racquet in years, this welcoming class makes it easy to learn the fundamentals, build confidence, and enjoy a great workout. West Hills tennis information.
 
Visit the West Hills webpage for additional information.
Upcoming Programs
Save the Date for the 2026 Poker Walk
Tuesday, May 12 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Student Recreation Center Indoor Tennis Courts
Join us for a fun-filled event to celebrate National Employee Health and Wellness Day! Participants walk the course to build their poker hand for a chance to win prizes. Registration is open!
 
2026 Wellness Assessments
Schedule your 2026 wellness assessment today by signing in to your Holtyn account and selecting the time and location that work best for you. The assessment is free of charge with a Holtyn coach or it can be completed with your personal healthcare provider using the the Medical Provider Assessment form.
 
Hope Health Newsletter

March is National Nutrition Month and this year’s theme is “Discover the Power of Nutrition.” Nutrition has the power to help individuals and communities thrive. Discover how food and beverage choices can help power your day by watching this video from eatright.org.

Label Logic – Making Sense of Food Labels
Wednesday, March 4,12:05 to 12:55 p.m. in Sindecuse, Room 3131
Join Registered Dietitian Gretchen Kauth for this workshop which describes the different components of a food label and teaches you how to make healthier food and beverage choices. Register by March 3 on ExperienceWMU.
 
Friday, March 20th, 8:30am to 4:30pm in Sindecuse Health Center, Rm 3131
Mental Health First Aid for Higher Education is an internationally recognized training offered by Integrated Services of Kalamazoo. The training teaches participants how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance abuse disorders. This in-depth training includes a discussion of specific risk factors, skill building to provide initial support to someone who may be struggling or in a crisis, and practice applying the action plan in a number of scenarios. Registration on ExperienceWMU is required.
Student Recreation Center
Mental Health Week
February 23 to 27 
In celebration of Mental Health Week (February 23–27), we are excited to offer FREE fitness classes for all undergraduate students, graduate students, and WMU employees in partnership with WSA, GSA, and Western Wellness.
Take a break, move your body, and support your mental well-being by joining us for a class at the Student Recreation Center (SRC)!
 
Before You Go:
  • Bring your Bronco ID
  • SRC access is required*
  • Check in with SRC staff outside the studios on the lower level (Aerobics, CycleFit, or F45)
  • Review the fitness schedule in advance and plan which classes you'd like to attend
WMU Employees
Join us over the lunch hour to try a fitness class for FREE! No SRC access is required. Stop by the SRC 2nd-floor desk to receive a complimentary guest pass. Entrance to the facility and your fitness class are covered by Western Wellness.
 
Post Spring Break Fitness Schedule
Monday, March 16 to Friday, May 1
Visit the SRC webpage. 
West Hills Athletic Club
Intro to Adult Tennis
Spring 1:  March 9 to April 25 
Discover how fun tennis can be with Adult Intro to Tennis at West Hills. This welcoming class makes it easy to learn the fundamentals, build confidence, and enjoy a great workout. Our professionals break down the basics in a relaxed, supportive environment. Learn more here.

Visit the West Hills webpage for additional information.
2026 Wellness Assessments
Schedule your 2026 wellness assessment today by signing in to your Holtyn account and selecting the time and location that work best for you. The assessment is free of charge with a Holtyn coach or it can be completed with your personal healthcare provider using the the Medical Provider Assessment Form.
 
Holtyn Website Login Directions
How to Log in to Your Personal Holtyn Account
  • Go to www.holtynwellness.com
  • Click on login
  • Enter the user name, which is the email associated with your account
  • Enter your password or click on “forgot or need to reset your password” if you don't know the password or it isn't working
  • Log in to your personal webpage to schedule an appointment, view assessment results, access program/health information, and more
  • Be sure to schedule a location close to your workplace. Assessments are offered at sites on Main Campus, East Campus, the College of Engineering and the College of Aviation. 
Hope Health Newsletter
  
The February recipe is Chickpea and Kale Tuscan-Style Soup. This simple and speedy soup is ideal for preparing in large quantities to enjoy throughout the week for lunches. This soup is packed with vegetables and chickpeas, making it a great source of protein and fiber.

Workshops

Heart Health Month Workshop:  Dietary Guidelines for 2025-26
Wednesday, February 11 from 12:05 to 12:55 p.m. in Sindecuse, Room 3131
Join Registered Dietitian, Gretchen Kauth for a review of the new Dietary Guidelines. Register on ExperienceWMU. Learn more.
 
Friday, February 20th, 8:00am to 12:00pm in Dunbar Hall
We are thrilled to announce the Western Michigan University Mental Health Summit, to be held on Friday, February 20, 2026, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The goal of this half-day event is to bring WMU community members together to promote mental health and well-being, while offering practical tools and resources for supporting both personal wellness and student success. Please RSVP to register.
 
Emotional Eating:  What Are You Hungry For?
Wednesday, February 25 from 12:05 to 12:55 p.m. in Sindecuse, Room 3131
Join Registered Dietitian Gretchen Kauth for this workshop which will help participants identify emotional versus physiological hunger. Participants will learn why food “works” as a temporary fix and discuss strategies to help overcome emotional eating. Register on ExperienceWMU. Learn more.


Holtyn Wellness

2026 Wellness Assessments
2026 wellness assessments are available in several locations including the College of Engineering, CHHS, Physical Plant, Heritage Hall, the College of Aviation and Main Campus. Schedule by logging into your personal account at www.holtynwellness.com.
Please provide at least 24 hours' notice for any cancellations or rescheduling.

Weather Cancellation Policy and Holtyn Website Login Directions
Weather Policy:
If WMU closes due to weather, no assessments will be held. Appointments may be rescheduled through your Holtyn account or by contacting:
  • Katie Alkema at 269-290-5167
  • Mary Werme at 269-377-0198 
 
How to Log in to Your Personal Holtyn Account
  • Go to www.holtynwellness.com
  • Click on login
  • Enter the user name, which is the email associated with your account
  • Enter your password or click on “forgot or need to reset your password” if you don't know the password or it isn't working
  • Log in to your personal webpage to schedule an appointment, view assessment results, access program/health information, and more
  • Be sure to schedule a location close to your workplace.

Student Recreation Center

Fitness Journey Kick-Start
We offer a wide variety of programs and services to help all WMU students, faculty and staff live a positive, healthy, active life. Connect with our Navigation Specialist for Fitness and Wellness, Maddy Mularski at https://wmich.edu/rec/kickstart.

West Hills Athletic Club

West Hills Membership for Benefit Eligible Employees
A membership to West Hills is part of your benefits package – you just need to activate it. The membership includes the full-service fitness center, a complimentary equipment orientation, group fitness classes, access to the sauna and whirlpool, and member rates on programming. Learn more at https://wmich.edu/westhills/wmu-membership.  
 
See the attached document or https://wmich.edu/westhills for additional information.
Monthly Recipe
The January recipe is Slow Cooker Indian Chicken. The spices in this dish provide health benefits, such as improved digestion, reduced inflammation, and boosted immunity. Attached you will find the recipe.
 
2026 Wellness Assessments
2026 wellness assessments are available in several locations including the College of Engineering, CHHS, Physical Plant, Heritage Hall, the College of Aviation and Main Campus. Schedule by logging into your personal account at www.holtynwellness.com.
Please provide at least 24 hours' notice for any cancellations or rescheduling.
 
New Year, New You
Thursday, January 15 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Student Recreation Center
We hope you will join us for this fun open house featuring employee wellness information, free fitness classes and a chance to win prizes. Download flyer.
 
Reconnecting in an Epidemic of Loneliness Zoom Workshop (Facilitator Darby Fetzer)
Thursday, January 29 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
In this interactive EQ workshop, we bring to light practical ways of enhancing meaningful connections for greater joy, wellbeing and to mitigate adverse health effects of loneliness. This program is based on a 6-hour Institute for Brain Potential Webinar by Jaime Kurtz, Ph.D.
Email Katie Alkema at @email to register.
 
Monday, January 26th, 8:30am to 4:30pm in Sindecuse Health Center, Rm 3131
Mental Health First Aid for Higher Education is an internationally recognized training offered by Integrated Services of Kalamazoo. The training teaches participants how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance abuse disorders. This in-depth training includes a discussion of specific risk factors, skill building to provide initial support to someone who may be struggling or in a crisis, and practice applying the action plan in a number of scenarios. Registration is required and can be done on ExperienceWMU. 
 
The Healthy Way (Facilitated by Registered Dietitian Gretchen Kauth)
Meeting virtually on Tuesdays, January 27 to March 3 from 12:05 to 12:55 p.m. 
This 6-session program is designed for employees who want to achieve their health goals through evidence-based nutrition, mindful eating practices and behavior strategies. Sessions are facilitated by a Registered Dietitian and are designed to provide individual and peer support. Follow-up education and support will be provided by email. Register on ExperienceWMU and click here for flyer. 
 
Hope Health Newsletter
Student Recreation Center
Break Week Fitness Class Schedule
Monday, January 5 to Friday, January 9
See the attached schedule. Spring fitness passes are required. 
 
Spring GroupEx and F45 Schedule 
Monday, January 12 to Friday, May 1
Spring Fitness Passes are now on sale. Save $10 on your unlimited fitness pass when you purchase online or at the SRC Front desk by January 18. See the attached flyer for additional information. 
 
West Hills Athletic Club
Weight Loss Team Challenge
January 12 to March 26, 2026
This year’s 10-week weight loss challenge focuses on customized macronutrient guidelines and nutrition education. Each participant will have a one-on-one check-in with the program coordinator to discuss progress and nutrition questions. Learn more and register at https://wmich.edu/westhills/weight-loss-2026. 
 
See the attached document or https://wmich.edu/westhills for additional information.

Walk your way to wellness

Walking is one of the easiest ways to get your daily fitness in! Just a short walk can help to improve your mood, boost endorphins and help you to feel your best for the rest of the day. Grab a co-worker and take a walk around WMU's beautiful campus or visit one of CEHD's three buildings: Kohrman Hall, Sangren Hall or the Student Recreation Center.

 

Want to walk more?

Join WMU's Let's Get Moving walking group! This group goes on a walk on Monday's and Wednesday's and is open to all WMU students, faculty and staff. There is no pressure to walk with the group the entire time as participants can join and leave as they see fit. Each walk is approximately 30 minutes long. Register for an upcoming walk. 

 
Risk Statement: Participation in exercise activities, fitness activities, wellness rooms and special events is purely voluntary, and individuals participate at their own risk. Participants should be aware of the possibilities of bodily injury and should understand that they are responsible for any and all costs arising out of injury or property damage sustained through participation. Should someone become injured, please notify a program or facility supervisor for assistance.