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Wellbeing Champion Program

Wellbeing Champions are a diverse group of employee volunteers from across the university who act as ambassadors for the COE Health, Wellbeing and Belonging by promoting awareness, education, and engagement.

Wellbeing Champions Logo

Roles and Responsibilities

Collaborate, Promote, Inspire and Support

Eligibility

Must be a full-time faculty or staff member. Supervisor approval is required.

Time Commitment

Wellbeing Champions are asked to commit to a two-year term and dedicate up to two (2) hours of work time each month.

Wellbeing Champion Intiatives

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Walk and Talk Tuesday

Looking for a fun way to break up your week, get moving, and connect with colleagues? Join us for Walk & Talk Tuesdays, a voluntary initiative led by Wellbeing Champions that brings faculty, staff, and postdocs together for a refreshing 30-minute walk each Tuesday during the lunch hour. Grab a friend (or make a new one!) and discover how small steps can lead to better health and meaningful connections.

Walks take place every Tuesday from 12-12:30 p.m. We’ll meet at the Alumni Lawn flagpole before heading out on a relaxed route around campus.

Join our Teams channel to stay in the loop with weekly reminders and event updates!

Note: This event is for Vanderbilt faculty, staff and postdocs only, and is not open to the general public.

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Tour Tuesday

Tour Tuesday, now in collaboration with Walk & Talk Tuesdays, is held on the second Tuesday of each month. These guided walks invite Vanderbilt faculty, staff, and postdocs to connect with colleagues from across campus while exploring some of Vanderbilt’s hidden treasures. Led by long-time Vanderbilt professor and grants manager Brandon Hulette, each tour features fascinating campus sites—from 4,000-year-old cuneiform tablets and the one-of-a-kind TV News Archive to Civil War–era landmarks woven into our campus landscape. Each tour will last approximately 30 minutes.

Join our Teams channel to stay in the loop with weekly reminders and event updates!

Note: This event is for Vanderbilt faculty, staff and postdocs only, and is not open to the general public. 

Grant Program

The Wellbeing Champion Internal Grant Program provides small-scale funding to support department-level initiatives that promote employee wellbeing, connection, and belonging across Vanderbilt University.

Active Wellbeing Champions may apply for funding for activities, programs, and resources that engage employees and strengthen a culture of workplace wellbeing within their departments or areas.

Application Details

  • Timeline

    The Wellbeing Champion Grant Program is offered once each fiscal year.

    • Applications Open: September 1, 2026
    • Application Deadline: September 21, 2026
    • Award Notification: Week of October 5, 2026
    • Implementation Period: October 2026 – March 2027
  • Eligibility

    Applicants must:

    • Be an active Vanderbilt Wellbeing Champion
    • Obtain supervisor approval before submitting an application.
  • How to Apply

    Applications are submitted through a brief online form.

    Applicants will be asked to provide:

    • A description of the proposed initiative
    • Target audience and anticipated participation
    • Budget overview
    • Alignment with one or more dimensions of wellbeing

    If you have questions about the application process, please contact Amy Silvers.

  • Funding Details

    The Wellbeing Champion Grant Program provides up to four $1,000 awards each fiscal year.

    Grant funds may be used for:

    • Wellbeing events and activities
    • Educational sessions, workshops, or guest speakers
    • Wellbeing supplies or resources

    Grant funds may not be used for:

    • Software licenses, subscriptions, or memberships
    • Direct payments to Vanderbilt students, faculty, or staff
    • Conference registration fees
    • Travel or lodging expenses
  • Reporting Requirements

    Recipients are required to submit a brief final report following completion of their initiative. The report should include:

    • Expense log
    • Number of participants
    • Summary of the initiative
    • Photos (when applicable)
    • Outcomes and participant feedback

    Details and further instructions on grant reports will be covered during orientation meetings following award notifications.

  • Review Process & Criteria

    Applications are reviewed by a cross-functional committee of campus partners using established evaluation criteria based on:

    • Alignment with program goals and wellbeing priorities
    • Potential reach and impact
    • Feasibility of implementation
    • Inclusivity and accessibility

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Can multiple Wellbeing Champions apply together?

    Yes. Co-champions in the same department, college or business unit can apply together.

  • Can Wellbeing Champions submit more than one application?

    No. A Wellbeing Champion or group of co-champions, can only submit one application per funding cycle.

  • Do I need prior grant experience to apply?

    No. The Wellbeing Champion Grant is designed to be accessible to all active Wellbeing Champions. Applications are evaluated based on ideas, goals and impact, not previous grant-writing experience. 

Wellbeing Champions

  • Steven Auster

    General Counsel

  • Kayla Austin

    People, Culture & Belonging

  • Susan Birch

    People, Culture and Belonging

  • Ashley Brammer

    Arts & Sciences

  • Kelsey Briley

    Development & Alumni Relations

  • Ivie Carmouche

    Student Affairs

  • Christy Carrigg

    School of Nursing

  • Sean Castady

    Student Affairs

  • Kristen Conoley

    Development & Alumni Relations

  • Tamara Cooley

    Public Safety

  • JIm Crancraft

    English Language Center

  • Balencia Sariah Crosby

    Student Affairs

  • Jake Cummings

    Administration

  • Sandy DeWald

    Office of Research

  • Alex DuBois

    School of Nursing

  • Jennifer Ellison

    SOM: Basic Sciences

  • Nora Foshag

    Business Services

  • Kayley Green

    Office of the Provost

  • Erin Gibben

    Office of the Provost of Research and Innovation

  • Charity Backs

    School of Engineering

  • DeShawn Hewgley

    Development & Alumni Relations

  • Jean Hoffmann

    Peabody College

  • Kendra Hoffsmith

    Facilities

  • Kaitlyn Howell

    Development & Alumni Relations

  • Hannah Hubbuch

    Development & Alumni Relations

  • Donna Ingram

    SOM: Basic Sciences

  • James T. Keen

    Arts, Libraries & Global Engagement

  • Matthew Koff

    Administration

  • Consuela Knox

    Office of the Provost

  • Peggy Knupp

    Enrollment Affairs

  • Feylyn Lewis

    School of Nursing

  • Sidney Marshall

    Student Affairs

  • Celeste Malone

    Communications & Marketing

  • Ally Mason

    Development & Alumni Relations

  • Ela May

    SOM: Basic Sciences

  • Sara Mays

    Administration

  • Bailey McChesney

    Owen Graduate School of Management

  • Alisha McCord

    Arts & Sciences

  • Megan Mesco

    Student Affairs

  • Adam Morgan

    Information Technology

  • Melanie Morris

    School of Nursing

  • Caroline Nikolus

    Undergraduate Education

  • Patricia Parker

    People, Culture & Belonging

  • Joseph Passarelli

    Blair School of Music

  • Maria Portelli

    Business Services

  • Rashonda Ray

    People, Culture & Belonging

  • Ryan Sasse

    SOM: Health Sciences Education

  • Hannah Schaeffer

    SOM: Basic Sciences

  • Allison Shepherd

    Athletics

  • Beth Sims

    School of Nursing

  • Cassidy Slabaugh

    School of Engineering

  • Amy Smith

    Enrollment Affairs

  • Kayla Smith

    Enrollment Affairs

  • RC Stabile

    SOM: Basic Sciences

  • Marissa Star

    General Counsil

  • Sheri Stephens

    Graduate Education

  • Emily Svennevik

    Business Services

  • Eddy Thornhill

    Peabody College

  • Lilly Tran

    School of Engineering

  • Kimberly Turner

    SOM: Basic Sciences

  • Lori Ungurait

    Facilities

  • Ashley Wagner

    Facilities

  • Jorge Wellman

    Student Affairs

  • Heather White

    Blair School of Music

  • Jarrita White

    People, Culture & Belonging

  • Stella Wiswall

    Office of Investments

  • Becca Zeglovitch

    Development & Alumni Relations

  • Gwen Zwirko

    Government & Community Relations