The Happiness and Wellness Initiative aligns with the University of Maryland School of Public Health's mission: “to promote and protect the health and well-being” of our diverse communities throughout Maryland, the nation, and the world.
Vision: To promote happiness and well-being for all, aligning with the University of Maryland School of Public Health Vision of “physical, mental, and social health and well-being for all people throughout our local and global communities.”
Mission: To proactively strengthen health and wellness, while prioritizing resiliency, through strength-based communications, training, curriculum, research, and assessment.
Our monthly e-newsletter features tips and tricks on spreading happiness, promoting your health and wellness, Some Good News stories, and upcoming events.
Some Good News
Some Good News features stories from the school, campus, and our extended community to promote positivity and connection to our world.
Have something to share? Send your good news story to happyandwell@umd.edu.
Happiness & Wellness Resources
Finding for ways to improve your happiness & wellness or ways to connect with other students? Look here for online and campus resources to help you get started.
Our Campus Partners
Our Initiative partners with several organizations around campus to establish a network of health and wellness tools and resources for all students. Through our partnerships, we strive to foster growth and empower communities together.
School of Public Health Calendar
Critical Thinking, Student Learning, and AI
Redesign your Assignments for Artificial Intelligence (Mini-Retreat)
Metacognition - Teaching Students How to Learn
Enhancing Course Design with AI
Strategies for Teaching in Today's Climate
Meet the Happy and Well Team
Erin McClure
Happiness and Wellness Director
As part of the School of Public Health senior leadership team, Erin McClure oversees operations and partnerships, building on strengths, implementing best practices and supporting the school and campus in enacting their equity and inclusion values and mission.
Tia Cunningham
As the Assistant Director for Student Engagement, Tia is dedicated to fostering and investing in a community of excellence. Tia oversees events such as the SPH Welcome Week, SPH Student Involvement Fair, and other activities to build and support the student and campus network.
Kashobi O'Bua
Since the beginning of her internship in Spring 2024, Kashobi has played a major role as a Wellness and Belonging Coordinator. Her focus is to promote, empower, and celebrate the health, wellness, and potential among all students through her advocacy and event coordination efforts.
Elizabeth Thach
Elizabeth has been a graduate student since Fall 2024. She is a second year, MPH student with a focus in Behavioral and Community health. At the Initiative, she focuses on project and creative management of upcoming community engagement and outreach events for the organization.
Adelina Rodrigues
Adelina is an undergraduate Public Health Practice major who is working as an intern for the Happiness and Wellness Initiative for the Spring of 2025. Her focus is creating inclusive and equitable spaces to foster the health and wellness of all students, faculty and staff at the University.