Previous Grant Recipients
From Idea to Impact
Student Wellness Innovation Grants support creative, student-led ideas that strengthen health and well-being across the Elon community. Explore how previous grant recipients transformed ideas into initiatives that strengthened health and well-being across the university community.
Spring 2026 Recipients
Beginner Barbell & Core Confidence Clinics: Mind-Body Strength Pop-Up Series
Grant Recipient: Rachel Deegan ’25
“Beginner Barbell & Core Confidence Clinics” creates an inclusive, trauma-informed entry point into weightlifting where beginners can learn proper form, understand sets and reps, prevent injury, and experience the mental health benefits of movement. By demystifying gym culture and offering a welcoming environment, the project supports students who want to exercise but don’t feel comfortable doing so independently.
Connect Elon: A Student Wellness Video Series & Engagement Initiative
Grant Recipient: Tyler Mastrangelo ’28
“Connect Elon” aims to reduce isolation and help students plug into campus life by creating approachable, wellness-centered content that encourages participation, engagement, and relationship-building. “Connect Elon” directly supports HealthEU’s mission by empowering students to make community-oriented, wellness-focused choices in their everyday lives, and by giving them a simple, fun pathway to get connected.
Sunday Reset!
Grant Recipient: Evelyn (Lynsey) Hess ’26
Sundays are a day of rest, organization, and preparation for the week ahead, yet many Elon students spend them overwhelmed, isolated, or stressed by academic and personal demands. The Sunday Reset! program addresses rising stress levels, promotes healthier coping strategies, and provides students with a consistent opportunity to pause, breathe, and recharge. By integrating mindfulness, movement, and evidence-based wellness practices, this project has the potential to improve student well-being, build community and create sustainable habits that extend far beyond a single day of the week.
Law & Paws: A Yoga Event
Grant Recipients: Tarrah Casey L’27, Jsaela Barrow L’27, Jennifer Carbajal L’28, Adriana Hernandez-Ordonez L’25 and Elyanna Smith L’28
Law & Paws: A Yoga Event is designed to create an inclusive, restorative, and physically engaging space that prioritizes mental health and wellness within the law school community. This program will feature a guided yoga session that encourages movement, stretching, and relaxation, complemented by puppy-engagement. This program aims to provide law students with a meaningful opportunity for physical rejuvenation, de-stressing, mindfulness and connection. Furthermore, this program supports the broader goals of the Inclusive Excellence Fellows to promote equity, well-being, and physical health, while reinforcing the law school’s commitment to cultivating a supportive and inclusive environment.
Spring 2025 Recipients
Building Philosophical Community
Grant Recipients: Morgan Seate ’25 and Phi Sigma Tau (Philosollamas)
Building Philosophical Community aimed to renovate and redecorate the philosophy suite in Spence Pavilion to transform this space into a vibrant, welcoming hub for philosophical inquiry and connection. The renovated philosophy suite will provide a space that enhances both student experience and well-being by fostering community, intellectual curiosity, and personal reflection.
Nursing Fellows Volunteer and Service Initiative
Grant Recipients: Meredith Korwan ’26 and the Nursing Fellows
The Nursing Fellows program is committed to enriching nursing students’ clinical experience through meaningful volunteer and service-learning opportunities. This grant supported the Nursing Fellows arts and crafts program at UNC Children’s Hospital to enhance the patient experience by creating moments of joy and normalcy, as well as encouraging emotional healing through hands-on, creative expression.
Puppy Yoga
Grant Recipients: Naomi Lockamy G’26 and the School of Health Sciences Diversity Committee
Puppy Yoga combined calming yoga with mindfulness techniques to promote well-being, along with the joy of puppy therapy to boost mood and bring some lighthearted fun to a student’s day. Whether students are looking for a break from the stresses of school or seeking ways to connect with others, this event will offer a safe space for graduate and undergraduate students to unwind, practice self-care, and build meaningful connections with one another.