Wellness Programs

Mindfulness

HU Mindfulness Training Initiative for Faculty and Staff

The HU Mindfulness Training Initiative began to support and connect with students at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and introduce new ways for the Howard University community to learn valuable skills that promote overall wellness. Faculty, staff and graduate students from the Office of the Dean of the Chapel, University Counseling Services, Division of Student Affairs, College of Arts and Sciences, College of Dentistry, College of Engineering and Architecture, College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, Graduate School, School of Business, School of Divinity, School of Law, and School of Social Work have benefitted from the HU Mindfulness Training Initiative. Participants receive a certificate upon completion of the course.

Introduction to Mindfulness for Students, Faculty and Staff

Introduction to mindfulness, a four-week class, offers practical mindfulness tools proven to help manage stress anxiety and improve sleep. It follows a research-supported and evidence-based meditation and mindfulness curriculum initially designed for the college-age adult by Koru Mindfulness. Participants receive a certificate upon completion of the course. First-year students from the Howard University School of Law and the School of Divinity have requested and taken advantage of the Introduction to Mindfulness initiative.

Mindfulness Principles in Courses

Professors trained through the HU Mindfulness Training Initiative continue to offer meditation and mindfulness training in their courses across campus. Specifically, professors in the School of Engineering and Architecture and the School of Business have offered mindfulness principles they learned from the HU Mindfulness Training Initiative to their students.

Spiritual Wellness

Sunday Chapel Speaker Series

The Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel is an inclusive space that exposes the Howard University community to the world’s most notable clergy, scholars and civic leaders. Chapel speakers are the trailblazers and socially conscious thought leaders of our community who inspire new knowledge and are catalysts for transformative learning experiences that help students connect their mission to their major: academic pursuits with real-world impact. Chapel service is held weekly in person on Sundays at 11 a.m. EST on the Main Yard during the months of August and September and in Cramton Auditorium for the duration of the school year. Services can also be livestreamed via YouTube.com/RankinChapel

Bible Studies

Matters of the HeART is a bible study series dedicated to the student body and staff of Howard University, coordinated by the Office of the Dean of the Chapel. The bible study provides an opportunity for participants to discuss and creatively work towards healing in this safe space through art therapy exercises and the gift of community. Together we will be reviewing the word of God to help define, dissect, interpret and discern what God says concerning the world around us and our conditions and work towards gaining spiritual confidence. Matters of the HeART is offered weekly on Wednesdays from 4:30 p.m.-5:30 pm EST in the Carnegie Building.

Self-Care Collective

Meditation Mondays

Timely and inspiring meditations are broadcast on all chapel social media channels and available on the chapel website weekly on Monday mornings. Please join us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @howarduchapel.

The Wellness Collective

The Wellness Collective is an interactive series described as an experience for the mind, body, spirit and soul. The Wellness Collective features mindfulness, meditation, psychology, self-care and spiritual care experts. The 30-minute sessions focus on providing the Howard University community with tools to help in alleviating the suffering that is exacerbated because of the pandemic and social justice challenges of recent times. The series is hosted intermittently throughout the fall and spring semesters.

Wellness Wednesdays

Wellness Wednesdays began during the Fall 2020 semester with weekly 30-minute mindfulness and wellness boosters in The Little Chapel in the Carnegie Building. Wellness Wednesdays expanded through a partnership with the Howard University Student Association (HUSA). The sessions, hosted weekly on Wednesdays, will offer tips for managing stress and cultivating well-being through creative arts, meditation, yoga and art therapy.

Mindfulness Minutes

Mindfulness Minutes are brief mindfulness principles with a practical application offered by leaders from the campus community. The principles will be shared on social media weekly.

Prayers and Meditation

The Office of the Dean of the Chapel will continue offering regular weekly prayer and meditation programming, open to the Howard community.