Augustana Develops Model to Promote Students’ Overall Well-Being

Well-Being Model

October 14, 2021

Written by University Writer Keeley Meier '20


Augustana has always been committed to the well-being of every student, and now, a model has been developed integrating the key dimensions of well-being, and highlighting the interdisciplinary connections to success.

Senior Director for Community Engagement & Strategic Partnerships Suzie O'Meara Hernes ‘97, one of the developers of the model, said it emerged last spring following a study that showed the need for increased mental health and wellness services and support for students.

“One element that came out of that study was the need for an overall Well-Being Model because any of the dimensions of well-being could have an impact on your overall mental health and wellness,” O’Meara Hernes said.

There are six dimensions featured within the model including physical, emotional, spiritual, academic, social and financial well-being — all designed to help foster student development and wellness. The dimensions point students to resources related to developing healthy habits for their body, caring for their emotional and mental health, as well as exploring their faith, meaning and purpose in life. Other dimensions of the model provide students with easier access to information that will help them achieve their goals through academic and career strategies, strengthen their community and sense of belonging through meaningful relationships and contributions, as well as build a solid foundation by understanding and managing their finances.

Dean of Students Mark Blackburn, another developer of the model, said faculty and staff are encouraged to point students to the model for available support and resources. 

“I want to make sure students know what the model is, how to access it and then they can use it on their own accord,” Blackburn said. “They no longer have to dig for phone numbers or emails. It's very open and self-explanatory.”

Ericka Kim ‘22, a nursing major and third-year Viking Advisor (VA), said the Well-Being Model not only provides students with a landing page of resources, but pushes them to think consciously about their overall well-being.

“As VAs, we focus a lot on mental health and academics, but not as much on the financial dimension, for example,” Kim said. “I don’t know much about that, but it's still part of my job to lead people to those resources.

“I think it also gives students autonomy to seek out resources on their own if they’re not comfortable talking about it.”

The Well-Being Model also incorporates the CliftonStrengths that Augustana utilizes to identify the top five strengths of each student, staff and faculty member. 

“When you relate your strengths to the Well-Being Model, you can identify for yourself, ‘If I'm a good communicator, how does that work with the social dimension in the Well-Being Model? If I’m analytical, how can that strength be used within the academic dimension? Or, if harmony is one of my strengths, how can I use that in the emotional dimension of my well-being?
And, how can I maximize my potential on those particular strengths?’” Blackburn said.

After finalizing the model over the summer, the resource has now been made easily accessible for everyone. First-year students were given a detailed overview of the model during Welcome Week sessions, and signs have been distributed around campus to lead students to the landing page on Augustana’s website. 

The Well-Being Model can be found at

Student Well-Being Model


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