Scarlett Ruppert, assistant professor of wellness and Anu Räisänen, director of HealthEU initiatives and assistant professor publish on faculty and staff perceptions of culture of wellness on campus.
Scarlett Ruppert, assistant professor of wellness, and Anu Räisänen, director of HealthEU initiatives and assistant professor, recently published new research on the culture of wellness in higher education. Collaborating with Garrett Bullock of Wake Forest University, the team authored an article in the Journal of Workplace Behavioral Health titled “Faculty and Staff Health in Context: A Study of Wellness Culture in Higher Education.”
The study examines how faculty and staff experience wellness on campus, the institutional factors that shape those experiences, and the opportunities colleges have to build healthier, more supportive environments that enhance employee well-being.
Findings show that departmental factors, such as valuing work–life balance and providing strong supervisor support, are significantly associated with positive perceptions of culture of wellness. In contrast, negative workplace experiences, including strained supervisor relationships and a lack of tools or resources, were linked to lower perceptions of culture of wellness. Moreover, the study showed a link between positive perceptions of culture of wellness and better employee health outcomes, including overall well-being and emotional well-being.
By contributing to the national conversation about workplace wellness in higher education, the authors highlight both the challenges and the potential for creating environments where faculty and staff can thrive. Their work reinforces Elon’s leadership in this area and offers guidance as the university continues to promote well-being across the institution.