Penn State Harrisburg, in partnership with Penn State LionPulse, is making exceptional progress with improving health and wellness initiatives on campus — efforts that have impacted more than 2,500 students, faculty and staff to date.
Since January, Andrea Mull, associate director of Student Health Services and the campus’ health champion, has worked with the Harrisburg wellness committee to implement new wellness programming. After surveying the Harrisburg campus community, results showed that fitness and nutrition are among the top areas of interest, and, as a result, Mull decided to allocate a portion of LionPulse funds, provided via a Penn State Strategic Plan seed grant, toward expanding the services offered at the campus’ Center for Fitness and Wellness (CFW).
The CFW utilizes the Exercise is Medicine (EIM) model and has been awarded Gold Status by EIM, which also is applied at University Park, to offer fitness assessments and physical activity consultations to students and employees. The consultations include an initial assessment followed by recommendations for a specific exercise regimen to enhance an individual's overall health. Now, with the help of LionPulse, the CFW and Student Health Services are able to offer nutrition sessions to individuals upon request. To date, approximately 150 students and staff members have participated in the new program.