Crafton Hills College In-Service Day Centers on Wellness
Publish Date: Aug. 22, 2025
On August 22, Crafton Hills College (CHC) faculty, staff, and administrators gathered for the fall in-service day with the unifying theme of wellness. The event featured workshops, keynote presentations, and student voices, all aimed at building a more compassionate, healing-centered campus environment.
The day opened with an emphasis on mindfulness and the importance of being present. Through guided breathing exercises, participants practiced techniques that regulate the nervous system and encourage calm, proactive approaches to reducing anxiety. “Self-awareness doesn’t only help you as a person,” one facilitator noted, “but it’s something you can model for students—especially in moments of stress.”
The Health and Wellness Center highlighted expanded services available to students, including three full-time therapists, with a fourth to be hired, as well as access to TimelyCare, a 24/7 virtual platform for mental health support. Also announced were plans for new support groups—ranging from anxiety and depression management to grief and first-generation student support. Faculty were encouraged to invite therapists into classrooms for short presentations to introduce their students to these services.
Staff also learned about improvements to the Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT), which plays a crucial role in supporting students facing behavioral challenges. In response to campus feedback, the BIT referral request was streamlined from 30 checkboxes down to just eight, making it easier for faculty and staff to connect students with needed resources. “The best way to prevent a crisis is through early referral,” participants were reminded.
A central theme of the day was healing-centered engagement, with the new emphasis focuses on students’ strengths and aspirations rather than their problems or traumas. This approach is tied to restorative justice practices, which emphasize accountability, compassion, and community rather than punitive measures. Administrators explained how restorative justice is already helping students at Crafton learn from mistakes while preserving safety and inclusion on campus.
Keynote speaker Brandy Julius, a global leader in diversity, equity, and inclusion, brought attention to the intersection of wellness, work culture, and identity. She spoke about the risks of burnout and vicarious trauma, reminding attendees that emotional well-being directly impacts both workplace morale and student success. “We often think stress is just part of work,” she said, “but if we don’t address it proactively, it turns into burnout.” Julius offered practical strategies, including meditation, breathwork, and setting healthy boundaries. She challenged the audience to take concrete steps within the next 30 to 60 days to enhance collective care in their work culture.
The in-service day also highlighted the student perspective. Jazmyn Garcia, CHC’s new student trustee, shared her inspiring journey of resilience. Once facing homelessness, food insecurity, and mental health challenges, Garcia described how supportive faculty and programs like STEM and Honors and scholarships helped her thrive. “Every corner of this campus has people that pour into students like me,” she said. “Whether it’s in the classroom, in an office, or in quiet moments of encouragement, you remind us that we belong here.”
Closing remarks from district leaders underscored CHC’s collective commitment to student success and wellness through its dedication to fostering a campus culture rooted in compassion, connection, and healing.
