MIEA & The Universities of Wisconsin
Building a Mindful Campus Culture Across Wisconsin
Through a systemwide partnership with the Mindfulness Institute for Emerging Adults (MIEA), the University of Wisconsin created a scalable, evidence-based model that’s transforming student well-being across its campuses.
Overview
The Universities of Wisconsin successfully implemented a coordinated mental health initiative across multiple campuses through a partnership with the Mindfulness Institute for Emerging Adults (MIEA), creating a scalable, evidence-based approach to student well-being. What began as a pilot evolved into a culture of mindfulness embedded across departments.
The Challenge
The Universities of Wisconsin sought a sustainable, evidence-based way to address mental health needs across all campuses. This required a coordinated approach that went beyond counseling centers, integrating prevention, skill-building, and culture change into campus life.
More than 14,000 UW students sought counseling in the 2019–2020 academic year, a 15% increase over five years.
- 41% of students reported seriously considering suicide, well above national averages.
- 70% of students reported feeling stressed, while 77% experienced significant anxiety.
- Counseling centers, already stretched thin with staffing shortages, have faced growing demand for care.
Even before the pandemic, the signs were clear. COVID-19 then intensified feelings of isolation, anxiety, and uncertainty for students already navigating a complex educational landscape.
THE SOLUTION
A Strategic Implementation
The partnership with MIEA became a key pillar of the Universities Behavioral Health Initiative, led by Student Behavioral Health Coordinator John Achter. This alignment ensured top-down support and a shared framework for consistent delivery across campuses.
Starting Point
The initiative began at the University of Wisconsin–Superior with Randy Barker, Director of Counseling, who identified a dedicated funding source—a critical factor in the program’s success. The Universities of Wisconsin was particularly drawn to MIEA’s evidence-based curriculum and its four-week format, which felt manageable and accessible for students. The pilot’s success at UW–Superior provided a model that could be replicated statewide.
Building Infrastructure
The Universities of Wisconsin trained two teachers per campus, creating a robust community of practice. These certified instructors met quarterly in the first year, fostering collaboration, shared learning, and consistency across campuses.
Campus Integration
Classes were strategically embedded throughout campus life, including in first-year experience courses. Key departments that collaborated to ensure success included:
- Student Affairs
- Health Services
- Counseling Centers
- Health Promotion
At UW–Superior, mindfulness became anchored through the Pruitt Center for Mindfulness and Well-Being. The Center’s PERMANENT Model of Well-Being extends mindfulness education to students, faculty, and staff, modeling institutionalization that other campuses are now replicating.
This cross-departmental approach created an upstream prevention model, addressing mental health proactively rather than reactively.
Measurement & Outcomes
The program focused on measuring:
- Focus and concentration
- Stress reduction
- Counseling center utilization
These outcomes reinforced mindfulness as a data-driven, preventive strategy that complements clinical services and supports student retention.
Results After One Year:
- 300 students completed the curriculum
- Classes consistently reached full capacity, creating demand for additional teacher onboarding
- Reduction in counseling center visits, demonstrating the efficacy of preventive mindfulness programming
Strong evaluation data collected via the Qualtrics platform
What Made This Successful
- Evidence-Based Foundation: UW valued MIEA’s lineage and rigorous research backing
- Practical Format: The four-week curriculum was manageable and accessible for busy students
- Dedicated Funding: Identified funding source ensured sustainability
- Community of Practice: Quarterly teacher meetings fostered collaboration and support
- Data-Driven Approach: Integration with Qualtrics allowed key stakeholders to easily pull and aggregate data, demonstrating program value
- Cross-Departmental Buy-In: Collaboration across Student Affairs, Health, Counseling, and Health Promotion created system-wide support
Scaling for Growth
The ability to demonstrate measurable success through accessible data evaluation strengthened the case for additional funding requests, enabling the program to expand and onboard more teachers to meet growing demand.
Key Takeaway
By combining an evidence-based curriculum, cross-departmental collaboration, and leadership alignment, the Universities of Wisconsin built a replicable model for systemwide mental health promotion. What began as a pilot at one campus evolved into an institutionalized framework that continues to shape how Wisconsin supports student resilience and well-being.
