Wellness and Health Promotion Reorganized Within and Beyond Pat Walker Health Center

The Pat Walker Health Center's department of Wellness and Health Promotion has transitioned into three different departments in the Division of Student Affairs. UARK Wellness is now a part of University Recreation; the Sexual and Relationship Violence Center is now a unit within Student Life in the Dean of Students Office; and the Substance Education, Assessment and Recovery program, previously known as Substance Education and Alcohol Resources, remains within the Pat Walker Health Center. 

"These changes speak to the overarching goal of creating and sustaining synergy between departments that have common goals in the services and programs that are provided to our students and addresses their varying needs," said Monica D. Holland, interim associate vice chancellor for student affairs, executive director of the health center and assistant vice-chancellor/associate cean of students. "Students who utilize these resources/departments will continue to receive holistic care, outreach, support and programming."

University Wellness

UARK Wellness, though now officially a unit in University Recreation, remains located on the second floor of the Pat Walker Health Center. UARK Wellness is a comprehensive program promoting wellness and holistic health by engaging and empowering students, faculty and staff through experiential academic and non-academic classes, coaching, and supportive services and activities.  

"UREC enthusiastically welcomed UARK Wellness into our department, formalizing our longstanding collaboration. Wellness programming will focus on campus outreach, education and classroom presentations, wellness coaching, and faculty and staff education and certification," said Becky Todd, assistant vice chancellor for student affairs and executive director of UREC. "This organizational change will help strengthen connections within student affairs and academic units to serve student's physical health and wellness from a holistic approach." 

Sexual and Relationship Violence Center

Now a part of Student Life in the Dean of Students Office, the Sexual and Relationship Violence Center remains located in the Garland Center. The center provides victim advocacy and education services related to sexual and relationship violence, all at no cost, and they make sure to keep students a priority by providing a confidential resource.  

"The SRVC grew from the efforts and vision of the PWHC, for which we will forever be grateful and will continue forward with a strong collaborative spirit between us," said Mary Wyandt-Hiebert, director of the Sexual and Relationship Violence Center. "Building on its established strong foundation, the SRVC's transition to Student Life under the Dean of Students Office affords additional opportunities to further address sexual and relationship violence across campus and, most importantly, to continue to meet our students' needs through confidential advocacy services and education programs."

Substance Education, Assessment and Recovery Program

The Substance Education, Assessment and Recovery Program, a unit within the Pat Walker Health Center, remains located in the same suite as UARK Wellness on the second floor of the Pat Walker Health Center. SEAR has changed a few of the words associated with its acronym in order to highlight some of the important resources that have been added for students who seek out support or education from SEAR. The program now has a licensed professional mental health practitioner as the program coordinator who is licensed by the state of Arkansas to administer alcohol/drug assessments, as well as a recovery specialist, who will grow and develop the recovery community on campus.  

"SEAR is excited about expanding its services to include doing alcohol and drug assessments, along with providing some limited treatment services with a licensed provider," said Jennifer Grim, program coordinator for SEAR. "Our future goals include offering more peer-to-peer outreach and education, expanded treatment services and an expanded recovery community. Staying a part of the PWHC was important so that we could maintain a central location for students to get all their health care needs met." 

All students, faculty and staff are encouraged to visit UARK Wellness, the Sexual and Relationship Violence Center and the Substance Education, Assessment and Recovery programs' websites to learn more.