February 24

Oftentimes, we focus on departments or programs that have gone to great lengths to integrate their work with Steps to Leaps. However, there are some departments whose work naturally aligns with Steps to Leaps. Within Student Life, the entire purpose of Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), Recreation & Wellness (RecWell) and the Purdue University Student Health Center (PUSH) is to enhance and improve holistic well-being for students.  

Over the past few years, we’ve seen CAPS’ efforts to increase accessibility to their services pay off. In past conversations, students remarked that they had been told by their upper-class peers that seeking services at CAPS took too long. That is no longer the case. Students are now recognizing a change in perception that the CAPS mantra of “same day, next day” services is true. The staff at CAPS have worked tirelessly to ensure students are supported in a way that is flexible and accessible. This includes resources through the TAO portal that are available to students and staff at all hours. CAPS has also increased its use of group services and offers services at several locations on campus. We see Steps in Leaps in action through their efforts every day.  

Students also directly feel the positive impact of RecWell on their overall well-being, which is evident in the unprecedented numbers reported by RecWell regarding student utilization of its facilities and programs. The surge in demand has prompted RecWell to explore avenues for expanding its ability to accommodate more students. The RecWell Outdoor Master Plan outlines plans for expanding capacity through outdoor spaces with synthetic turf, the addition of new pickleball courts to meet the growing interest in the sport and more. RecWell fosters well-being by nurturing student leaders, offering a wide array of fitness classes, and providing wellness activities such as wellness coaching, nutrition coaching, financial coaching, massage therapy, light therapy and wellness presentations. Every member of the staff recognizes the significance of Steps to Leaps and its potential to help students discover and access the resources available to them.

Finally, PUSH is a mainstay in providing well-being services for students. As the provider of choice for students on campus, PUSH provides comprehensive primary care services and empowers patients to be proactive with their health journey at Purdue and beyond. PUSH also offers ancillary services and support, such as sports injury care, radiology, physical therapy, infusion therapy, travel medicine, allergy and immunizations. Additionally, PUSH manages pre-matriculation immunization requirements to ensure compliance with state mandates and provides laboratory services managed by LabCorp. Their all-hands-on-deck approach to student care and support is a daily reminder of their daily impact on students.

We encourage you to think about how you serve and teach students. Think about the ways you are helping students improve their well-being, learn leadership skills, make an impact, build a network and develop grit/persistence. These are the ways you are putting Steps to Leaps in action every day!