LEXINGTON, Ky. (September 09, 2024) — Last fall, the UK College of Social Work (CoSW) announced plans to hire a Chief Well-Being Officer (CWO) as part of its commitment to improving the well-being of faculty and staff.
This unique role at CoSW was created to cultivate a healthy, productive, and supportive workplace for faculty and staff.
Since assuming the role in February 2024, Andrea Deweese has played a pivotal part in expanding existing wellness initiatives and implementing new programs tailored to the college’s needs.
Deweese’s work encompasses various wellness domains, including mental health, physical health, social connectivity, and professional development.
“On a micro-scale, this can look like weekly acknowledgments for life events or shoutouts amongst colleagues to appreciate each other’s work,” Deweese shared. “On a larger scale, we’ve implemented some really exciting programs, including ‘New Employee Wellbeing Welcome (NEWW)’, ‘Moving Meetings’, the Wellness Hub, and more.”
Incorporating approaches like the Self-Care Initiative Grant and meditative Virtual Reality, the CoSW has long-since been a leader in pioneering wellness practices.
“Academic administrators have a responsibility to cultivate supportive environments conducive to faculty staff wellness, which includes self-care” said Jay Miller, Dean and Director of the Self Care Lab. “This responsibility is not just the “right” thing to do; it contributes to effectiveness in teaching, research, and service, among others.”
Alongside wellness initiatives, Deweese spearheads advanced professional development opportunities at CoSW, such as the Investment in Ingenuity and Initiative (I3) program and the BRIGHT Leadership Training program. She also plays a major role in the continuation of this year’s second annual CoSW Awards Recognition Event.
“I am deeply honored to have the opportunity to serve in this capacity,” said Deweese. “Being able to make a tangible difference in the lives of our team, and knowing that will flow down to students and those we serve, is incredibly fulfilling. The support and enthusiasm from everyone motivates me to continue striving for excellence in wellness promotion.”
