What is SLU Thrives
St. Lawrence University is trying to improve campus well-being with a new initiative, SLU Thrives, for the first time this semester.
SLU Director of Wellness Education Laura Lavoie said that SLU Thrives is “a model to shape the student experience around well-being.” The initiative came into being after a four-year cooperation with the JED Foundation from 2021 to 2025. The JED Foundation helps colleges and universities foster student mental health and well-being nationwide. The result of the partnership enabled a SLU steering committee to start designing the SLU Thrives program last Spring.
As to the program’s significance for SLU students, Lavoie said that to attain a positive state of well-being, students must be empowered to grow academically, interpersonally, career-wise, and in “the ability to flourish,” developing skills such as stress management, resilience, communication skills and financial literacy along the way. The goal of SLU Thrives is to make it easier for students to balance these different dimensions of their well-being.
Lavoie broke down how SLU Thrives helps with a multidimensional approach to well-being. “Part of SLU Thrives is making it easier for students to see how existing services, programs and resources are actually contributing to your sense of well-being,” she said. She added that departments and offices will be providing “a SLU Thrives dimension” to help guide students.
SLU Thrives dimensions include “mind and body,” “social belonging and inclusion,” “intellectual and career exploration,” “environmental and community engagement,” “meaning-making, purpose and spirituality,” “financial literacy,” and “digital wellness.” Campus resources that will be involved in these dimensions include Health and Counseling Services, the Wellness Education office, the Fitness Center, the Outdoor Program, Nature Up North, various clubs and organizations, First-Year Program, Student Activities, Residence Life, Athletics, Laurentian Engagement, the Center for Career Excellence, Academic Advising, Academic Support Services, the libraries, student research opportunities, Center for the Environment, Volunteer Services, Community-Based Learning, the Chaplain’s office, Student Financial Services, Financial Aid, the Digital Scholars program, Unplugged events and various academic opportunities, according to Lavoie.
Because SLU Thrives is so new, Lavoie hasn’t received much feedback yet. However, she has heard from students that they think it is “an exciting concept.” Over the next year, the SLU Thrives streeting committee will gather feedback and data from students to help the program evolve further, according to Lavoie.