The annual fair, led by URecFit and Wellness on April 1, continues to transform holistic well-being through cross-campus collaboration.
Photo: Victoria Meadows, MS, manager, Enterprise Risk Management, teaches Wellness Fair attendees how to care for indoor plants.
This year's UMB Wellness Fair looked a little different.
On Monday, April 1, the fair's familiar — and beloved — vendors were in attendance, including students from the University of Maryland School of Medicine's Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, who provided screenings for blood pressure, posture, and extensibility. However, unlike previous years, when the fair was contained in the SMC Campus Center's Elm Ballrooms, the 2024 Wellness Fair has grown beyond a single meeting space.
One reason for the growth is URecFit and Wellness' (URFW) commitment to promoting holistic wellness across campus. To address all eight dimensions of well-being, the team invited 68 vendors to provide resources on emotional, physical, occupational, social, spiritual, intellectual, environmental, and financial wellness. This included new vendors, such as the Maryland State Retirement Plan and ComPsych, UMB's employee assistance program.
Another reason is the fair's shift in how information is presented to attendees. In addition to screenings and information tables, guests were treated to a new offering — six interactive workshops, presentations, and tours. Through them, guests received hands-on tips on everything from caring for plants to sustainable cooking and the basics of financial investing.
"Our vision for the wellness fair is to create a space for holistic health and wellness education as an environment where attendees can take a meaningful break to reflect on their personal and community well-being," said Amanda Breon, senior assistant director, URecFit and Wellness. "This year, we wanted to create more impactful experiences for attendees by providing interactive opportunities that help guests think about their wellness holistically during and after the fair."
The new interactive workshops were a collaborative effort among URFW and multiple departments across campus, including the Office of Sustainability and the Student Counseling Center. The decision to partner with departments outside of URFW was not only a strategic decision to improve the Wellness Fair. Cross-campus collaboration is integral to URFW's mission of supporting the University's core value of Well-Being and Sustainability.
As the first and only recreation facility on campus, the team at URecFit and Wellness knows that when the UMB community thinks of wellness, they think of URFW. Eric Barron, director, URecFit and Wellness, wants to challenge that notion.
"URFW are leaders of well-being on campus. However, we do not own it and cannot do it alone. I believe that it is everyone's responsibility to support and enhance the well-being of the UMB community," Barron said. "The Wellness Fair is a great way to bring together what I call 'well-being champions' to cultivate partnerships and bring together resources that will enhance well-being across our campus and support the University's mission."
Over 200 students, faculty, staff, and other community members attended this year's Wellness Fair.
Between tables, workshops, and screenings, all attendees were asked to take a moment and "check in" about their wellness — another new addition for 2024. Using sticky notes on corkboards, guests rated their wellness and shared what they learned, their wellness action plans, and how the University could help support their well-being.
One note read that the 2024 Wellness Fair "is a very holistic experience [that helps] address concerns, not just live with them."