Virginia Tech’s Residential Well-being program received an Outstanding Campus Program Award from the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators.

Every year, the organization recognizes high-performing teams that embody collaboration in their efforts to support students. Teams are selected for proactive innovation in wellness and health promotion, thorough and creative design, and adapting their programs to anticipate the changing needs of today’s students. 

The wraparound care model

When Residential Well-being was launched in fall 2022, it transformed residential living at Virginia Tech. Created by Student Affairs, the model introduced a community-centered reorganization of the on-campus living experience with a structure of diverse, accessible care through student leaders, case managers, and embedded counselors.

“The goal of Residential Well-being is the creation of inclusive residential environments where all Hokies thrive,” said Vice President for Student Affairs Frances Keene. “In this model, students become partners in the educational enterprise. It requires us to listen to students and invite them to contribute meaningfully to all that we do at Virginia Tech.”

Hokie Wellness led the integrated approach through partnerships among Cook Counseling Center, Dean of Students Office, Student Conduct, ExperienceVT, and Living-Learning Programs. 

The redesign was inspired by the Student Affairs’ team’s close attention to research that indicated campus safety, well-being, and inclusion were directly connected to student success. Because residential living is required for first-year Virginia Tech students, Student Affairs recognized the opportunity to provide students with a foundation of belonging, purpose, and healthy habit creation.

“The design of Residential Well-being creates a safety network for every student living on campus and empowers the meaningful human relationships essential for successful undergraduate education,” said Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs Chris Wise.

One of the most innovative aspects of the model’s design is the leadership structure. Rebecca Caldwell, director for Residential Well-being, said the team is inseparable from the sense of community cultivated through the experience.

Describing the team of case managers, she said, “We knock on doors, we get to know students. Instead of leaning back in our offices and hoping folks will come to us, we’re proactive.”  

Paired with the embedded counselors provided by Cook Counseling who are available through 10 p.m. most weeknights, the result is accessible, on-demand care for students.

“It's an incredible benefit for us,” said Caldwell, “Students will often tell their student leaders that they need support or help, and the student leader can walk the student over to an embedded counselor or inform the student about available resources.”

The support has had a ripple effect. Caldwell said the model has reduced the need for enforcement actions by preventing potential crises. When a student in need of help can get trusted support in the comfort of their living quarters, issues that could otherwise escalate can be quickly mediated.

Community that inspires leadership 

Kelly McPherson, a managing director for Residential Well-being, was involved in the model’s design. She said she is proud of how it has improved the sense of community within residence halls and promoted open and supportive communication among students, student leaders, and professional staff.

“Relationships are critical in providing the best care that we can,” she said. “As residents who were cared for by their student leaders become student leaders, the wraparound care will only get stronger.”

Ian Adcock-Howeth, a student leader in the Meraki learning-living community, was drawn to his role because of the positive impact student leaders had on his first semester at Virginia Tech.

“I’d seen how much of a difference it could make to have people who you can look up to and feel supported by, who are also approachable and fun,” he said. “I love that I get to meet and connect with an amazing group of students and help them through their experience.” 

Last year alone, there were over 800 applications for student leader positions — about 8 percent of the on-campus student body.

“That was just such a vote of confidence for us in knowing that this model makes a difference,” Caldwell said.

Impact from the onset

According to surveys conducted in the first year of the Residential Well-being's implementation, students reported feelings of safety, belonging, and purpose.

  • 95 percent said they feel safe at Virginia Tech
  • 95 percent said they feel welcome at Virginia Tech
  • 90 percent agreed with the statement “There are faculty and staff who care about me at this institution”
  • 89 percent said they feel that they are a part of the campus community
  • 78 percent said their social relationships are supportive and rewarding
  • 76 percent agreed with the statement “I lead a purposeful and meaningful life”

A road map for the future

As recognized by the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, Residential Well-being is successful because the team behind it is committed to serving Virginia Tech students. As new needs and areas of improvement are identified, the model adapts to accommodate them. 

“The beauty of the model is our ability to change things that aren’t working,” said McPherson. “With the help of student leaders, we track trends in residence halls and provide programs and resources around those trends.”

After the completion of the pilot year, Residential Well-being re-shaped positions to add two case managers. This fall, the team added three full-time inclusion and belonging coordinators. Those coordinators help student leaders with programming focused on helping students find their place at Virginia Tech, creating inclusive communities, and creating spaces for people to learn about and celebrate who they are. They also help promote Perspectives, an evidence-based program that equips students with practical skills to engage in dialogue across lines of difference.

The care model is designed to fit the community it serves, not vice versa, Caldwell said.

“This model is a proactive approach to caring for our students,” said Caldwell. “This is a model about talking with students, getting to know them, and getting people to the wraparound care. Our students deserve the best care that they can get. They deserve a residential living model that makes that possible.” 

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