UMass Boston

UMass Boston successfully kicked off another year of the Beacon Wellness Initiative — focused on empowering health, promoting well-being, and building community — with the Second Annual Beacon Wellness Walk held on Wednesday, October 1.

The three-hour wellness fair drew over 1,000 attendees to the Quad and Upper Plaza, where students, faculty, and staff explored interactive tables focused on the eight dimensions of wellness. The Wellness Walk serves as a flagship program for the Wellness Initiative, demonstrating the university’s commitment to embedding health and wellness into every aspect of campus life.

“By hosting the event outside and leveraging the beautiful, relaxing atmosphere of the Quad, we demonstrate that self-care is not a separate task, but can be an accessible, integrated component for thriving during your time at UMass Boston,” said Chloe Belt, a health education specialist at University Health Services and a lead event planner. “Even a few moments of peace outside can be valuable, and seeing the community come together to prioritize well-being makes me feel incredibly inspired."

The Beacon Wellness Initiative is focused on empowering health, promoting well-being, and building community.  Emphasizing a strategic commitment to Inclusion & Belonging, Health & Wellness, and Sustainability, the initiative aligns its principles with the Okanagan Charter, which UMass Boston formally adopted in April 2024, reinforcing its dedication to becoming a health-promoting university. 

This year’s Wellness Walk embodied the initiative’s mission, connecting attendees with more than 25 campus departments that support a balanced lifestyle through a “Wellness Journey” passport experience. Each booth emphasized dynamic engagement, from physical health activities to social, emotional, intellectual, financial, and spiritual well-being.

University Health Services led a “Web of Wellness” goal-setting activity and promoted upcoming dental, physical therapy, and mammogram clinics, while Dining Services energized participants with its Rock the Bike smoothie station, hydration station, and Bigelow Tea samples. The Ombuds Services’ Appreciation Station inspired over 300 thank-you notes across campus, and the Police Department’s comfort K-9, Beacon, greeted participants as they spun for safety tips.

The strong turnout reflected the community's enthusiasm for wellness. Attendees completed six passport stamps to enter a raffle for prizes including an iPad, Apple Watch, Recreation training packages, and bookstore gift cards. The first 500 participants also received meal tickets for the Quad’s first-ever food trucks.

In line with the initiative’s sustainability goals, the event used biodegradable cups and simple décor, partnering with Bees & Thank You, a local food truck promoting pollinator awareness.

The success was attributed to the collaborative efforts of key partners across the university.

“It's extremely heartening to see the efforts that our campus partners put into this event to positively impact participating students,” said Gabrielle Mele, Dining Services' campus dietitian and a lead event planner.

Primary organizers from University Health Services and Dining Services were joined by Beacon 2 Beacon, Black Faculty & Staff Association, Dean of Students, Exercise & Health Sciences, Healey Library, Housing & Residential Life, Human Resources, Interfaith Campus Ministry, Music Production Club, New Student & Family Programs, Office for Advising Excellence, Ombuds Services, Police Department, Recreation, Student Activities, Student Arts & Events Council, Student Leadership & Community Engagement, Transportation Services, and U-ACCESS.

Bethany Gunnet, a nurse practitioner at UHS and chair of the Beacon Wellness Program Committee, applauded the event's positive reception.

"It was a successful event, and we can't wait to showcase what next year looks like. Getting students thinking and talking about wellness goals was great. It's inspiring to see how our shared focus on health can foster such connection and collaboration,” she said.