Ready to recharge? Want to improve your health? Perform better? Prioritize your sleep.

Most college students operate on less than seven hours of sleep and that’s just not enough, says , director of counseling with the .

“We forget how essential sleep is to our functioning, our concentration, our physical well-being and our mental well-being,” Brown says. “It’s easy to forget that sleep is really important.”

For the long-term, the human brain isn’t fully formed until age 25, and sleep is one of the most powerful tools that helps support that development.

How much sleep is considered good? Seven to nine hours, Brown says.

How can you get there? The Barnes Center offers ample resources for students struggling to get a good night’s sleep.

“From access to the and other meditation and mindfulness tools to our and the , we’re committed to helping our students improve their sleep quality and help them sleep more,” Brown says.

Here are four things to know about good sleep habits and what to avoid.

Go to Sleep and Let Your Brain Do Its Job

Sleep is essential for the body to repair itself, and our cells grow and regenerate while we’re asleep.

Sleep is also when, in the brain, the hippocampus consolidates information, turning short-term moments into long-term memories. Give your brain a chance to cement all that studying and classroom knowledge.

“Getting deep, restorative sleep is so important for students because they’re doing a lot of academic work and they need to be sharp and focused,” Brown says. “If you start stacking nights of poor sleep, you’ll see poor health habits start to form.”

It can also lead to decreased concentration and focus and increased stress, hypertension, irritability, anxiety and depression.

Tip: Brown recommends students aim to fall asleep and wake up around the same time each day, to help develop and maintain the circadian rhythm, the body’s internal clock.

Damaging Effects of Screens on Sleep

Whether it’s a cell phone, tablet, laptop or television, the screens we use emit a specific light that disrupts our ability to fall asleep by mimicking daylight and stimulating activity in the brain.

Brown says the blue light suppresses the body’s release of melatonin, which helps naturally prepare the body to fall asleep, and tricks the brain into a state of alertness.

Tip: She recommends getting off your phone or other screens at least 30 minutes and preferably one hour before bedtime, to allow the brain enough time to wind down.

Healthy Alternatives to Screen Time

Instead of scrolling on your phone, Brown suggests keeping a nightly journal, reflecting on the lessons from the day while creating a to-do list for the next day.

“That way, you get everything out of your mind before laying down for bed, and it won’t weigh on you as you fall asleep,” Brown says.

Tip: All University students have premium access to the , which features guided meditation, mindfulness and bedtime exercises and a library of soothing sleep sounds.

What are healthy alternatives to screens?

• Taking a warm bath before bed
• Practicing deep breathing, meditation and mindfulness exercises
• Washing your face with a calming lavender lotion or using pleasing fragrances
• Drinking herbal teas containing chamomile
• Reading a book with dim lighting

“T��� biggest key is getting yourself ready for sleep,” Brown says. “Having a nighttime routine is great because it helps you stack together good habits that will improve sleep quality.”

How the Barnes Center Can Help

Brown says the ability to sleep is closely intertwined with eating habits, which is why help students understand how diet and meal timing affect sleep quality.

Exercise is also connected. Brown says students who regularly engage in physical activity enjoy better sleep quality and are encouraged to connect with recreation staff and personal trainers.

Among the offered to support better sleep and rest habits:

• appointments with or to discuss care options;
• sessions tailored for students struggling with sleep difficulties;
• self-care activities, tools and resources through the Crowley Family MindSpa; and
• .

“People think you can catch up on sleep, but you really can’t reverse everything that happens to your body from constantly not sleeping well,” Brown says. “T���re’s no substitute for getting a good night’s sleep.”

Steven W. Barnes ’82, H’19, a devoted alumnus, University trustee and generous supporter of Syracuse University, will deliver the keynote address at the ‘s 2026 Convocation Ceremony. Barnes, who majored in accounting in the Whitman School, has maintained close ties to the University throughout a career spanning nearly four decades in private equity.

Bain Capital LP is one of the world’s leading global private investment firms, managing more than $215 billion in assets under management across private equity, venture capital, public equity and leveraged debt. Barnes has been affiliated with Bain since 1988 and previously served as chairman of global private equity, head of North American private equity, co-head of European private equity, and founded and led the global portfolio group.

He also served in various leadership positions within Bain’s portfolio companies, including as CEO of Dade Behring, a global diagnostic company, president of Executone Business Solutions, a telecommunications company, and president of The Holson Burnes Group, a publicly traded consumer products company.

Barnes served as chairman of the University’s from 2015-19 and as chairman emeritus from 2019-23. He currently serves as vice chair of the board. Outside of Syracuse, Barnes serves on the board of directors of the Boston Celtics as a member of ownership, and is a board member of MV Youth, The Park of West Palm Beach and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County. He previously served on the boards of Boston Children’s Hospital, New Profit, the United Way of Massachusetts Bay, Boston City Year and was the former chairman of the board of The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

“We are thrilled to welcome Steve Barnes back to campus to speak to our graduates this year,” says Whitman Interim Dean . “Steve’s extraordinary career in private equity, combined with his lifelong commitment to this University and its students, make him an ideal voice for our Class of 2026. His story, from his time as a student at Whitman to the heights he has reached in business and in his service to Syracuse University, is one that will truly inspire our graduates as they take their next steps.”

Barnes’ connection to the Whitman School is long-standing and wide-ranging. He is a longtime member of the , a founding investor in the Orange Value Fund and served as the founding co-chair of the Advisory Board. He received the Whitman School’s Jonathan J. Holtz Alumnus of the Year Award in 2011.

The generosity of Barnes and his wife, Deborah, has had a transformative impact across campus, including:

• providing the lead gift for the , the University’s integrated health, wellness and recreation complex;
• endowing the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities and the Barnes Professorship in Entrepreneurship at the Whitman School and establishing the Barnes Award for Academic Excellence, a merit-based scholarship recognizing outstanding first-year Whitman students; and
• supporting Remembrance Scholars, Syracuse Athletics, the Office of Disability Services and other initiatives across the University.

Barnes was recognized with an honorary doctorate degree from Syracuse University in 2019 and he received the Dritz Trustee of the Year Award in 2014.

The Whitman School’s Convocation Ceremony will be held Saturday, May 9, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the JMA Wireless Dome.

After successfully accomplishing a thorough assessment process, the Barnes Center at The Arch has achieved renewal accreditation by the (AAAHC). As a repeat recipient, this continued benchmark of success further distinguishes the health and wellness team through its adherence to rigorous standards of student-focused care and safety.

“This AAAHC reaccreditation marks a significant milestone in the continued growth and success of the Barnes Center at The Arch,”  says Cory Wallack, associate vice president of student health and wellness. “Guided by the leadership of Lisa GreenPope, director of operations, and Kathleen Coughlin, director of health care, this recognition reflects the high level of excellence the Barnes Center consistently demonstrates and its unwavering pursuit of continued improvement.”

Status as an organization that has earned accreditation means the Barnes Center at The Arch has met the highest level of nationally recognized standards for the provision of quality health care set by AAAHC. Highlights that supported the team’s reaccreditation include evidence-based clinical practice guidelines, ongoing performance improvement strategies and an effective organizational infrastructure aimed at providing safe and effective care.

For more information or questions, please  or call 315.443.8000.

The Barnes Center at The Arch, a national pioneer of student-focused holistic health and wellness, has been named to the . The Barnes Center is one of only 30 recipients of this prestigious nationwide award.

“Our starting catalysts of success began in 2019 with the grand opening of the Barnes Center alongside Syracuse University’s commitment to being a national leader in integrated wellness,” says Cory Wallack, Ph.D., associate vice president of student health and wellness.

“T��� Princeton Review naming us to the Mental Health Services Honor Roll and more importantly, doing so for our work in student-focused holistic wellness, proactive and preventative skill-building, in addition to cultivating a campus culture fueled to support wellness, is a wonderful recognition of the hard work everyone has contributed to support student wellness.”

The 2026 Mental Health Services Honor Roll is a celebration of undergraduate institutions for their exceptional dedication and commitment to their students’ mental health and well-being. Through intentionally empowering students by placing them into the driver’s seat of their uniquely defined wellness journeys, coast-to-coast the Barnes Center has been established as a student experience success leader.

Uniting Wellness for Individualized Student Success

At the forefront of this honor is the recognition of the Barnes Center’s intentional and trailblazing work to implement an Integrated Wellness Model. This model intentionally weaves together Health Care, Counseling, Health Promotion and Recreation teams, services and programs, yielding countless student support success outcomes it continues to see accomplished.

“As a national leader our Integrated Wellness Model continues to be unique. While other campuses have integrated parts of these systems, Syracuse University is one of the only universities in the United States that has integrated services to the extent that we have,” Wallack says.

The Barnes Center is centrally located on campus and physically hosts the wellness team (Health Care, Counseling, Health Promotion and Recreation) under one sprawling roof. This shared location naturally creates and strengthens integration of student wellness experiences. At the Barnes Center, all are encouraged and empowered to “be well” in their own unique, ever-evolving wellness journey. In addition to integrating teams, this holistic wellness approach also intentionally encompasses mind, body, spirit and community.

The Princeton Review Names Barnes Center on 2026 Mental Health Services Honor Roll

The Princeton Review and partners selected honorees based on data from its 2025 Campus Mental Health Survey and those that have shown a strong commitment to their students’ mental health and well-being. Recipients, such as the Barnes Center, scored highly in campus quality of life, overall well-being, student empowerment and education, offerings (e.g., services, programs and resources) and administrative support (e.g., policies, staffing).

“One of the key strengths of our campus is the intentional way we foster a quality of life that supports students’ overall well-being,” says .

Among the other criteria that supported the Barnes Center’s honor roll placement are:

• Authentic Holistic Wellness Approach: Demonstrated through a broad range of services integrating mental and physical health, emotional resilience, identity development and community connection.
• Proactive and Preventative Skill-Building: A strong emphasis on equipping students to navigate stress, conflict and transitions.
• Campus Culture Prioritizing Holistic Wellness: A united campus in the pursuit of student well-being and a community of care, supported by data-driven presentations and trainings for faculty, staff and students.

Shaping Tomorrow’s Wellness with the Data of Today

“To ensure that the Barnes Center remains responsive to students’ evolving needs, we pursue continuous assessment comprised of collaboration and adaptation. Ultimately, we strive to remain curious and connected to the student experience, adapting our approach as new needs emerge and ensuring that wellness remains welcoming and a shared community-wide responsibility,” Brown says.

For the dedicated Barnes Center health and wellness team, this honor is just one of many milestones to come in the evolving pursuit of defining student wellness on a national level. Fueling a future of success is the ongoing commitment to data-informed decision-making.

“Our ongoing commitment to utilizing data to inform integrated health and wellness programs and services is a priority,” says Veronica Whalen Jones, director of health promotion.

“In addition to tracking utilization, we are committed to assessing impact through program assessment and focus groups to ensure we are meeting the needs of the student community now and into the future.”

Did you know the University is home to honeybee hives on South Campus?

The hives and honey produced are overseen by the department. Honeybees were brought to campus in 2020 after associate teaching professors Lisa Olsen-Gugerty and Mary Kiernan in Falk College were awarded a grant. Since then, the University has been a , helping to promote the benefits of pollinators and native plants.

In the past year, the number of hives has grown from six to 10. Honey is typically harvested twice a year—once in the summer and once in the fall. During the winter months, beekeepers work to ensure the honeybees survive by providing food, water and preventing pests.

This year, the hives produced over 650 pounds of honey.

“A year’s worth of preparation and planning in 2024 positioned the bees to be ready to capture Mother Nature’s abundance of nectar offered on South Campus,” beekeeper Bob Faulkner says. “I anticipate an even stronger harvest in 2026.”

The honey is now for sale in multiple spots across campus including:

• Barnes Center at the Arch Pharmacy
• People’s Place
• Skytop Marketplace

Honey is available in three- and eight-ounce jars. Proceeds will benefit the future of the hives.

Interested students can also participate in a beekeeping club which is open to all, regardless of experience.

Anyone interested in learning more about the bees can reach out to Sustainability Management at sustain@syr.edu.

The (OPC) is accepting applications for its Administrative Fellowship program, a unique opportunity designed to promote leadership and professional development among mid-level staff members. The selected fellow will develop, implement and assess an innovative project over a one- or two-year term while receiving financial support, mentorship and professional development opportunities.

Designed for Staff Retention

What sets this program apart is its specific focus on mid-level staff. “It was geared toward me specifically, which was really unique and validating as a mid-level professional staff,” says Amy Messersmith, the inaugural administrative fellow when the program launched in 2023. Messersmith is currently employed as the associate director of the Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program.

Diane Crawford, current OPC administrative fellow, and executive director of institutional culture in the Whitman School of Management, says she was looking for a new opportunity to deepen the level of her work as she approached six years in her role. She found it particularly valuable to develop her career without having to depart her current position.

Both Crawford and Messersmith agree that the fellowship increased their desire to continue employment at the University.

Professional Growth and Campus Connections

A benefit of the administrative fellowship is the support from the Office of People and Culture. “To say that you are conducting a project as an Office of People and Culture Fellow lands very differently than just a random person on campus with a specific interest,” says Messersmith.

Crawford found the direct mentorship from a vice president-level administrator to be invaluable, and the fellowship allowed her to expand her professional network across multiple University departments outside of her primary role.

Crawford and Messersmith credit the fellowship with giving them the opportunity to develop professional and technical skills.

Qingyi Yu, who recently completed her one-year fellowship, attests to the program’s impact of bringing a sense of validation and community to her work. Through her fellowship project, Yu, who is the associate director of health and wellness at the Barnes Center at The Arch, connected with new colleagues cross-campus who were working toward similar goals, which cultivated a sense of shared purpose.

Benefits of the Selected Fellow:

• A $10,000 stipend per year
• Up to $5,000 per year in program funds to support a pre-approved project
• Up to $1,500 per year in pre-approved professional development opportunities
• Mentorship from the vice president for People and Culture and other senior leaders
• Opportunities to participate in OPC staff retreats, meetings, events, working groups and special projects

Minimum Requirements to Apply:

• Currently employed as a full-time, benefits-eligible staff member in good standing at the University
• At least five years of professional work experience; bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience
• At least two years of administrative experience in current position by the start of the fellowship
• Demonstrated commitment to promoting a campus that is welcoming to all
• Commitment of approximately two hours per week for active participation

To read the full call for applications, including required materials and the link to apply, view the . Applications will be accepted until Nov. 25.

If you have any questions, please contact opc@syr.edu.

Benchmarking the highest academic and student experience standards, Counseling has achieved national accreditation from the through 2035. Driven by the mission to promote advancement, communication and application of psychological science and knowledge to benefit society and improve lives, APA is the nation’s leading scientific and professional psychology organization.

Recognizing the with APA accreditation signifies that the program has successfully completed a rigorous evaluation process. The evaluation process is inclusive of a comprehensive self-study, an extensive professional peer-reviewed site visit and a committee review.

Accreditation also demonstrates the Barnes Center at The Arch’s commitment to academic excellence and ethical practice, alongside evidence-based psychological training.

“T��� Barnes Center at The Arch’s commitment to high-quality, multidisciplinary supervision, training seminars and clinical experiences are only a few of the highlights that really resonated with the APA throughout the accreditation process,” shares . “This milestone reflects the time, dedication and effort the Barnes Center Counseling team has invested in the Doctoral Internship Program in Health Service Psychology and affirms our commitment to providing high-quality academic and professional development.”

The internship program not only prepares the next generation of mental health professionals but also strengthens daily student counseling care services. Through hands-on experience in delivering research-based, human-focused support, interns contribute to a positive ripple effect and to the Barnes Center’s high-standard of care. This dual impact—developing skilled practitioners while enhancing the student experience through wellbeing—is reflected in the program’s APA accreditation, a mark of excellence and commitment to the highest professional standards.

“We’re working to create well-rounded, culturally responsive and competent psychologists, capable of providing ethical and meaningful support to the people and communities they serve,” Brown says.

As interns strengthen skills, they bring fresh insight and dedication to the counseling services that students rely on. This shared growth strengthens both the learning experience and the quality of care on campus—a commitment recognized through the program’s APA accreditation for its outstanding training and human-centered approach.

Mentorship and experiential learning are also core values of the internship program.

“Our training program operates from a Developmental-Mentoring Model, emphasizing experiential learning, cultural competency, identity development and scholarly inquiry,” says . “Interns can expect to receive exposure to diverse professional role models, experience multiple supervisors and a variety of opportunities to work conjointly with staff through integration into mental health work. On a gradual integration and alongside intern’s training goals, offerings including individual and group counseling, on-call response, outreach programs, community building programs and more are offered.”

APA accreditation strengthens licensure eligibility and career opportunities for participants, showcasing to employers, peers and clients that graduates have achieved a level of training recognized nationally for making a meaningful impact on mental health and wellbeing.

Annually, the Barnes Center at The Arch Counseling recruits three doctoral interns. Interns are hosted from Aug. 1-July 31. Those interested in applying are invited to learn more on the .

“T��� most valuable part for me was supportiveness and flexibility in my clinical interests and career goals. I was able to fully immerse myself in various areas aligned with my interests and felt completely supported along the way,”  and graduate of the Barnes Center’s Doctoral Internship Program in Health Service Psychology, says. “I now have a clearer understanding of who I am as a clinician, greater confidence in working with complex cases and a deepened interest in training/supervision. The experience has truly prepared me for the next steps in my career.”

Flu season spans from October to May each year, which aligns directly with some of the busiest times of the academic calendar. Those who contract the flu can be sidelined for days—missing classes, events and time with friends. A quick flu shot, often covered in-full by insurance, helps those who receive it stay healthy and flu-free.

“Stay healthy, stay connected and make this year one without the flu,” says Dr. Karen Nardella, M.D., Barnes Center at The Arch medical director. “Simple steps like getting your flu shot, practicing good hand hygiene and staying home to rest when you’re sick, go a long way in keeping our campus community healthy and connected.”

Protect Yourself and Your Plans, Schedule Your Flu Shot Today

As the Barnes Center at The Arch monitors the flu season, the health and wellness team is anticipating a rise in  cases this year. Campus flu clinics are available for students to receive the influenza vaccine (flu shot). In addition to flu clinics, appointments are also available through the University Pharmacy. Additional information is available on the .

• When are flu clinics offered? Oct.-Nov. 2025. Additional clinics will be scheduled based on demand.
• Are appointments fast? Yes, usually under 15 minutes.
• Is there a cost? Most flu shots are covered in full by insurance. Students who have a co-pay or medical charge applied will be billed accordingly to their Bursar account. Please know, ability to pay is not a barrier to service.
• Is it easy to schedule an appointment? Yes! Flu clinic appointments can be scheduled on the . If you have questions, don’t hesitate to call the Barnes Center at 315.443.8000 for further support.
• How do I find the flu clinic schedule? The schedule is made available to students within the . More information about the portal is available on the .
• What if the flu clinics don’t work with my schedule? There are always additional flu shot appointments available at the .

For questions please contact the by calling  315.443.8000 or emailing BarnesCenter@syr.edu.

The start of college is filled with the excitement of independence and new experiences. But for many students, especially in the first few weeks of the semester, it can also bring an unexpected challenge: homesickness.

“Homesickness is a common and normal emotional reaction to living in a new place apart from familiar people and surroundings,” says , associate teaching professor of psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences. “People who relocate often experience some sadness and longing for home that can be distracting.”

, counseling director at the Barnes Center at The Arch, adds that homesickness can show up in more ways than just missing home. “It can present with emotional, cognitive, behavioral and even physical symptoms,” she says. “T���se may include sadness, loneliness, anxiety, irritability, feeling isolated, being easily tearful or becoming preoccupied with home and familiar routines.”

Brown says that some students may find it difficult to concentrate or make decisions, and they may withdraw socially. Physical symptoms can include headaches, stomachaches, fatigue or changes in appetite and sleep patterns.

Coping Strategies

There are many ways to ease the transition and feel more at home on campus.

Brown recommends starting by normalizing the experience. “Homesickness is very common, usually temporary, and often a natural part of adjusting to a new environment,” she says.

Here are a few strategies to help:

• Create a sense of home: Establish comforting routines, like a morning ritual.
• Build new connections: Join a club, attend campus events or find peers who are also adjusting.
• Take care of your body: Prioritize sleep, nutrition and exercise.
• Explore your surroundings: Familiarize yourself with campus and the local community while creating positive associations.
• Stay connected with home: Keep in touch with loved ones but set healthy limits to stay present in your new environment.
• Set realistic expectations: Remember that adjustment takes time. Feeling fully settled doesn’t typically happen overnight.

“T��� can support students in many of these strategies,” Brown says. “Joining fitness classes or intramural sports, taking part in outdoor adventure trips, working with dietitians on nutrition and connecting with providers to improve sleep.”

Students can also manage stress at the MindSpa, relax through Pet Therapy or, if symptoms remain disruptive, consider joining group therapy or participating in individual therapy.

Supporting Students

Faculty and staff can play an important role in helping students who may be struggling. “This begins with noticing warning signs such as frequent absences, withdrawal from peers, or expressions of loneliness, anxiety or isolation,” Brown says. “Checking in with students in a caring, nonjudgmental way, listening actively and validating their feelings can make a meaningful difference.”

“Any of us can open a conversation with a student who seems anxious or encourage students to attend activities that provide a welcome distraction and sense of community,” Kapuscinski says. “Likewise, willingness to normalize adjustment distress by discussing our own experiences can be a powerful way to connect.”

When to Seek Help

Though homesickness is usually temporary, it’s important to recognize when it might be part of a deeper mental health issue. Brown and Kapuscinski say that symptoms tied to homesickness typically improve as students adjust and build connections. But if distress is severe, persistent or interferes with daily functioning, such as missing classes, isolating from others or experiencing hopelessness, it may be time to seek help.

Individual counseling appointments at the Barnes Center, including same day appointments, may be made virtually on the or by calling 315.443.8000. Group Counseling is also available, offering a wide range of themes.

Syracuse University students experiencing a mental health crisis, seeking support for sexual assault or relationship violence, or needing urgent medical consultation can receive free confidential services 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling 315. 443.8000. Please note, routine consultations should hold until the next business day.

Diane Schenandoah ’11, Honwadiyenawa’sek (“One who helps them”), will host a on the Kenneth A. Shaw Quadrangle on Monday, Aug. 25, from 4 to 5 p.m.

The Haudenosaunee Welcome Gathering is an event held on campus to welcome all incoming and returning students, faculty and staff for the 2025-26 academic year, and for all to show respect for the Indigenous people on whose ancestral lands Syracuse University now stands. Schenandoah is a citizen of the Oneida Nation and a Wolf Clan Faithkeeper, as well as . The Haudenosaunee Confederacy is comprised of Six Nations: Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca and Tuscarora.

This year’s speaker is Chief Spencer Ohsgoñ:da’ Lyons, a traditional Hodinoñhsyoñ:nih (Haudenosaunee) born to the Onondaga Hawk clan and raised in the central fire of the confederacy. In 2019, he was chosen by his clan to serve as Hoyane (chief). Chief Lyons also serves on the Onondaga Nation Council and he is currently working with the Hodinoñhsyoñ:nih Environmental Task Force. He also consults with the Hodinoñhsyoñ:nih External Relations Committee on behalf of the Onondaga Nation Council.

Born and raised within the traditional and cultural life ways of the Hodinoñhsyo:nih, he continues to apply and enact those teachings in his everyday life by gardening, hunting, fishing and gathering with both modern and traditional methods. Lyons also promotes and supports those teachings within his community as well as with those who would be allies to the Great Law of Peace and the Hodinoñhsyoñ:nih Confederacy, always with the next seven generations in mind.

“This land is sacred. We welcome visitors to be part of this sacred place. Part of our teaching is that no one can own the land, so it’s important to remember that Syracuse University is part of a much bigger picture,” says Schenandoah. “It’s important to acknowledge and recognize that there are Indigenous peoples still here and we are standing in the capital of the Haudenosaunee territory.”

At the gathering, speakers and dancers will welcome a new academic year. Hot scones and strawberry drink will be offered. The hot scones are derived from traditional breads and the strawberry drink consists of strawberries, maple syrup and water. “This is significant because strawberries are the leaders of the plants and maples are the leaders of the trees. In this way we honor them,” says Schenandoah.

Schenandoah encourages students, faculty and staff to participate in the Haudenosaunee Welcome Gathering. “We are sharing our culture because the Earth is calling to us to pay attention, we require collective healing, and most importantly, we are inviting our community to live in gratitude,” she says.

For more information on this and other Hendricks Chapel programs and services visit .

Lab THRIVE, short for The Health and Resilience Interdisciplinary collaboratiVE, is making significant strides in collegiate mental health research.

Launched by an interdisciplinary Syracuse University team in 2023, affecting college students’ adjustment to campus life, with an emphasis on both risk and protective factors that influence psychological well-being.

The lab combines quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods to analyze student mental health trends and to develop strategies to improve campus support systems. In just over a year, researchers have already published academic papers in competitive journals and launched several studies examining resilience, belonging, help-seeking behaviors and mental health outcomes among Syracuse students.

Born to THRIVE

The lab’s interdisciplinary approach brings together researchers from counseling, public affairs and policy.

It is co-led by , associate professor of counseling and counselor education in the School of Education; , associate director of health and wellness research at the ; and , associate professor of public administration and international affairs in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.

“It started when Dr. Yu invited me to join the Barnes Center’s research committee,” Liu says. The committee, formed in 2022, focused on Universitywide data related to student wellness and program effectiveness.

As Liu, Yu and Ueda-Ballmer examined the data, their overlapping research interests became clear. For instance, Liu’s expertise in positive psychology and the mental health of marginalized youth complemented Ueda-Ballmer’s work on social determinants of health and suicide prevention.

Liu saw an opportunity to create a structured research hub that would not only deepen their understanding of student mental health but also train doctoral students. “Our doctoral students were eager to engage in meaningful research,” Liu says. “We wanted to create a space where they could contribute to projects with real-world impact.”

Data-Driven Support

By 2023, Lab THRIVE was established as an interdisciplinary hub.

“Many research projects conducted within the lab aim to offer a holistic view of the integrated health and wellness of Syracuse University students,” Yu says. “T��� primary goal is to better understand the predictors and protective factors that influence students’ overall well-being, providing valuable insights into the areas that need the most attention for improving student health and wellness.”

The lab’s pilot study used two years’ worth of data to examine the association between students’ engagement in wellness activities—such as physical exercise, the  and the —and their mental health outcomes. This research identified wellness activities as predictors of reducing depressive symptoms among students.

Another study explores international students’ help-seeking behaviors, identifying the importance of resilience in improving students’ mental health.

“All our studies provide data-driven support for strategic planning within the University’s health and wellness initiatives,” Yu says, “ensuring that resources are allocated effectively and addressing the most critical factors influencing students’ well-being.”

Clear Intentions

Sarah Litt, a second-year doctoral student in counseling and counselor education, says that her work with Lab THRIVE is a benefit of attending  Syracuse: “Opportunities for research like this are rare in counseling programs.”

Litt contributed to the project addressing international students’ help-seeking behaviors, which became one of Lab THRIVE’s .

The paper—narrowing on gender identity, sexual minority status and academic level—revealed that male-identifying international students were less likely to seek help, while students identifying as gender or sexual minorities were more likely to seek formal support, highlighting a need for targeted advocacy and outreach.

“I learned so much from Dr. Yu about refining research questions and statistical analysis,” Litt says. “I started with a clinical focus, but the project pushed me to think more critically about data and methodology.”

Lab THRIVE’s research pipeline also complements student support programming at Syracuse. “Our findings are helping the Barnes Center understand what works—and what doesn’t—when it comes to supporting student well-being,” Liu says. “We may not see a whole lot of products now, but what is most important is the development of a solid pipeline and clear intentions about every project we initiate.”

Sense of Belonging

A key element of Lab THRIVE’s success is its wider cross-campus collaborations. The lab works closely with the Barnes Center at The Arch, Office of Diversity and Inclusion, TRIO Student Support Services (part of the School of Education’s ) and the to recruit participants for ongoing focus groups. Starting in fall 2025, these focus groups will explore how students experience campus life and seek mental health support.

“We want to understand not just the barriers to help-seeking but also what promotes a sense of belonging,” Ueda-Ballmer says. “We’ve learned that students who feel connected to their peers and the campus community report lower levels of loneliness and distress.”

Doctoral students such as Litt are actively involved as facilitators in these focus groups, gaining hands-on research experience while contributing to meaningful data collection. “It’s a unique learning opportunity,” Litt says. “I’m getting exposure to public health and data analysis alongside my counseling training.”

Yu adds, “T���se conversations provide rich qualitative data that helps us better understand how students find community and feel a sense of belonging at Syracuse University.”

Building a Legacy

Lab THRIVE’s work is offering insights to professionals beyond Syracuse. Last year, Liu, Yu and Ueda-Ballmer presented their findings at national conferences, including at the 2024 Association for Psychological Science Annual Convention.

“We were part of a panel on loneliness,” Ueda-Ballmer says. “The audience was surprised to learn that college students experience such high levels of loneliness despite being surrounded by peers. That reinforced how critical it is to promote belonging and support.”

Fittingly, given her research interests, Litt finds the lab experience supportive on a personal level: “It can be a really lonely journey at times with doctoral studies, but when collaborating, especially with people going through a similar process, it really creates a sense of community.”

When asked where she thinks the lab’s future lies, Liu points to expanding its research capacity and increasing student involvement: “We hope to publish more studies and attract more doctoral students to the lab. It takes time to build momentum, but we’re already seeing meaningful results.”

Yu says another exciting direction is expanding the lab’s interdisciplinary collaborations: “We are actively seeking partnerships with researchers from other fields to examine how emerging areas—such as artificial intelligence—can contribute to a deeper understanding of students’ mental health.”

Litt agrees with this outlook, concluding, “There’s so much crossover between psychology, counseling, sociology and public health. I hope Lab THRIVE continues to grow as a model for interdisciplinary research and training.”

Story by Ashley Kang ’04, G’11