Today’s employee is working in a more sedentary environment with limited physical activity during the workday, which is one reason why employees may be less fit. Our workforce, including that of the colleges and universities around the country, are becoming unhealthy through bad eating habits, lack of exercise, and poor lifestyle choices. There is a need for more corporate wellness initiatives within our institutions while promoting a corporate culture that values holistic wellness and encouraging employees to live their best life.
Prairie View A&M University Cooperative Extension Program (CEP) Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) program has partnered with several departments to implement a corporate wellness initiative that encompasses a variety of programs and activities including intramural sports competitions, food demonstrations, walking groups and a Total You Wellness Monthly Lecture Series. These lectures are designed to take place over the lunch period and are facilitated by various subject-matter experts throughout Texas including County Extension Agents and Specialists. The one-hour talks are intended to be engaging, informative, and highly energized, empowering participants to take charge of their overall wellness. The expected result of the lecture series is to measure an increase in physical activity, manage workplace stress and enhance employees’ knowledge regarding healthy eating habits and shopping on a budget through the collection of the post-session evaluation tool.
The 4th Annual Total You Wellness Lecture Series kicked off with two workshops on “Managing Conflict in The Workplace” and “Couponing and Shopping on a Budget”. The Lecture Series is free to faculty, staff, students and surrounding community members and hosted at all three campuses (Main Campus, Northwest Houston Campus, and The College of Nursing) including several community health venues in Bell County, Washington County, and Harris County.
Ninety percent of participants have shared that they have a better understanding of the work conducted through the Cooperative Extension Program as a result of participating in the workshops while 100% of the participants have indicated that they would tell a colleague about the sessions. The participants are always engaged, inquisitive, and open to finding new ways to fight old habits.
Strong, healthy families are the foundation of American communities, and family and community well being is a shared priority for all Americans. Through research and education, the FCS component helps strengthen families and communities. Corporate wellness programs are an investment in an organization’s most valuable asset: staff. Studies have shown that employees are more likely to be on the job and performing well when they are in optimal physical and psychological health.
Danielle Hairston-Green, Ph.D.
Program Specialist, Family and Consumer Sciences
dyhairstongreen@pvamu.edu
(936) 261-5118