College of Education and Human Development

CEHD Wellness Club

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 CEHD Wellness Club is a Microsoft Team dedicated to wellness in the CEHD Community. Wellness events are scheduled through this Team, with all members receiving direct calendar invites to CEHD Wellness events. For those interested in discussing wellness related topics, there is a chat available. For updates on club activities and to receive calendar invites to events, join the Microsoft Teams group.

CEHD Wellness Events

The CEHD Wellness Committee schedules and facilitates a variety of events throughout the year. Upcoming workshops for Fall 2026 are below:

  • Helping Hand at Western and the YWCA: CEHD is joining in the Western Wellness Drive as a Community Partner to support the YWCA Women’s Shelter. Please bring donations of essential hygiene and personal care products to 2421 Sangren, the Student Services Suite, during the month of October. Examples of items needed include: Hygiene products, Lotion, Soap/body wash, Menstrual products, Deodorant, Toothbrushes and toothpaste and other essential personal-care items
  • Therapy Dogs: Wednesday, Nov. 4, 12:30-2PM and Wednesday, Dec. 9, 11:30AM-1PM
  • Weekly Yoga with Weideman: Join our very own Carol Weideman for yoga weekly on Tuesdays in October, from Noon-12:45. Mats and blocks will be provided for your use during these low-impact, stress relieving sessions. Located in Sangren Hall, room number TBD. 
  • Return of the Repotting Workshop: Thursday, October 8th, in 2510 Sangren. Back by high demand, join us to repot your plants before winter, share cuttings, or problem solve why your plants aren’t thriving. The main event will be 12:30pm-1pm, where we gather to repot our plants, share cuttings, and share our plant wisdom! Any supplies remaining after the event will be available for drop in self-serve access until 5pm.
  • Wellness Benefits Panel Discussion: October, date TBD. Do you know all of the benefits you can use to support your well-being? Join us to discuss some of the hidden gems within our healthcare plans, just in time for Open Enrollment!
  • Winter Wellness Workshop: Tuesday, November 3rd, Room 2510, from 12:30pm-1:30pm. We will go over the basics of supporting your immune system during cold and flu season, with tips on ways to support your resistance and recovery from the common illnesses that spread during these months. This will be a make-and-take event with a remedy you can take home. 
  • Group Soup!: Wednesday, November 18th, Room 2510, 11:30am-1:00pm. Join us to craft a soup together on site, while talking about the health benefits of many common kitchen ingredients. 
  • Into the Home Stretch – Finals Week Yoga: Details coming soon.
Contact Christy for more information

Monthly wellness tips

Events

Mental Health Training: Mental Health First Aid
Friday, November 13th, 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. More information and registration can be found on ExperienceWMU. You must be logged in to view the event. 
 
Fall Harvest Cooking Demonstration
Friday, November 20 from 12:05 to 12:55 p.m. in Kohrman Hall, Rm 3302
Join Registered Dietitian, Gretchen Kauth and her awesome dietetic students, for a cooking demonstration and taste-testing workshop highlighting autumn inspired recipes. Registration is available until November 19.
 
Annual WMU Turkey Trot 5K
Saturday, November 21 at 8:30 a.m. in the SRC Indoor Tennis Courts
Experience the tradition of the oldest race in Kalamazoo. Sign up today for the Turkey Trot
 

This month's recipe

The November recipe is Bang Bang Broccoli. Broccoli is a cruciferous vegetable that is linked to lower rates of chronic disease and many other health benefits. This delicious recipe is a great pairing with many main dishes. Download here.

Wellness Assessments

2026 Wellness Assessments
The deadline to complete your 2026 wellness assessment or submit a Medical Provider Assessment Form is Thursday, December 17, 2026.

Schedule your assessment: Log in to your Holtyn account or call Mary Werme at 269-377-0198 to schedule an appointment with a Holtyn coach at no cost. Alternatively, you may complete the assessment with your personal healthcare provider and submit a Medical Provider Assessment Form.
Need a Medical Provider Assessment Form? Download it from your Holtyn account or email Katie Alkema at @email to request a copy.
Missed the deadline? Participants who do not complete their 2026 assessment and lose their health insurance incentive may schedule an appointment in early 2027. Their incentive benefit will resume at the beginning of the second quarter of 2027.
Download the October recipe

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. 

FY27 CEHD Wellness Committee

Meet your current Wellness Committee Members! Please feel free to reach out to us with questions, suggestions, or feedback.

  • SPLS: Robyn Edwards
  • TLES: Amy Bentz
  • ELRT: LaSonja Roberts
  • CECP: Olivia Ngadjui
  • FCS: Antoinette London-Johnson Wright
  • HPHE: Carol Weideman
  • Marketing: Nicole Leffler
  • Office of Teacher and Administrator Certification: Nicole Lockwood-Womack
  • Dean’s Office: Sarah Rasnake
  • Dean’s Office: Christy Chambers
 
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.