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Right help to �鶹��ýs at the right time

In the fall 2022 semester, Western will launch the most ambitious and comprehensive �鶹��ý success program in its history. Made possible by the Empowering Futures Gift, WMU Student Success Navigators will provide an unprecedented level of support for �鶹��ýs. The program will provide the right help to the right �鶹��ý at the right time by removing three barriers:

• It will make it easier for �鶹��ýs to find the help they need by eliminating the paradox of �鶹��ý support—there is so much available that knowing where to go and where to begin is overwhelming.
• It will normalize help-seeking. Too many college �鶹��ýs believe their need for help is exceptional rather than normal. 
• A dedicated professional navigator will accompany the �鶹��ý through their undergraduate years at Western, meeting their needs and enhancing a sense of belonging and community.

New �鶹��ý support resources

The program will launch with 11 new professional navigators and 10 new �鶹��ý employees who will provide proactive, individualized support that includes and extends beyond academic support across eight dimensions of �鶹��ý well-being. While available to all �鶹��ýs, the Student Success Navigators will initially focus on those who are first-generation college �鶹��ýs, Pell-eligible and historically marginalized communities.

How it works

Student Success Navigators will start supportive relationships with �鶹��ýs even before they arrive on campus, reaching out over the summer to introduce themselves. When �鶹��ýs arrive on campus, the navigators will proactively reach out to make a personal connection.

Over the course of the academic year, �鶹��ýs will receive proactive outreach from the University in the form of phone calls, pulse surveys and coordinated �鶹��ý support that continuously assesses their progress and well-being. 

As �鶹��ýs’ needs are identified, their Student Success Navigator will guide them to appropriate support—but it doesn’t end there. An essential element of the Navigator model is to close the loop. When a case is opened, the Student Success Navigator will ensure it is closed. Did the Bronco Study Zone help? Did the �鶹��ý connect with a counselor? Did the fitness class help manage stress?

The Student Success Navigators are just the beginning, supported by a cadre of specialists. As needs surface, �鶹��ýs can be referred to navigators with specialized knowledge and skills in in three critical areas of focus: 

• Multicultural Specialists will provide direct support to �鶹��ýs from historically marginalized communities, including asset-based coaching and connections to relevant �鶹��ý groups, support and programming that create belonging. 

• Student Affairs Specialists will provide well-being and mental health resources as well as engagement with campus groups and programming to encourage thriving.

• A Financial Aid Specialist will provide holistic support in financial well-being and literacy and help �鶹��ýs navigate financial aid and billing. 

With this network of support, the University will envelop each �鶹��ý in the program with an individualized �鶹��ý support team that is tailored to their unique needs. Powered by the Salesforce Student Success Hub, each member of the �鶹��ý’s team will be armed with a 360 degree view of the �鶹��ý’s needs and progress. The Student Success Hub will allow individual team members to have the information needed while also protecting confidential protected information, such as medical and mental health records. 

Tailored support

The model also provides tiered support. Some �鶹��ýs may simply need a referral or to know someone knows their name. Others may want or need a higher level of support. The Navigator model is designed to right-size the support for each �鶹��ý along three tiers of support:

• Tier 1 support includes referral to services, general programming and a dedicated Student Success Navigator. In addition, specialists will provide services to �鶹��ýs to support all eight dimensions of well-being and Multicultural Specialists will provide support on dimensions of identity, culture and sense of belonging.

• Tier 2 support will provide asset-based coaching where �鶹��ýs will create individualized plans that help them get the most out of their WMU experience. Students will receive asset-based coaching based on CliftonStrengths. The plan will be adapted as the �鶹��ý experience evolves. Multicultural Specialists will provide specialized, asset-based coaching for �鶹��ýs from historically marginalized communities. 

• Tier 3 support offers high-touch, high-impact interventions reserved for the �鶹��ýs who indicate a need for consistent and proactive case management. This level of support will be provided by Student Support Specialists and subject matter experts in �鶹��ý affairs. 

An asset-based approach

The WMU Navigator Network is based on new thinking in higher education. It is an asset-based approach that seeks to surface, emphasize and embolden �鶹��ýs’ strengths and remove barriers to their success. The approach stands in contrast to historical perspectives that envision �鶹��ýs who struggle as somehow deficient or in need of “fixing.” An asset-based approach is focused on enabling whole people with their own strengths to grow and thrive by removing barriers and providing resources.

At Western, we offer a holistic experience where we think about �鶹��ýs as whole people preparing for a quality life and a meaningful career. We are focused on helping our �鶹��ýs meet their academic, career and well-being goals. The Empowering Futures Gift is enabling us to advance our efforts as we aim to strengthen this critical component of the Western experience. 

We have strengths to build on: 60% of Western �鶹��ýs feel that their health and well-being is a priority at Western and 66% of �鶹��ýs indicate that health is a priority for them. We want to grow those numbers substantially. 

One of four pillars of the Empowering Futures Gift is enhanced �鶹��ý well-being with new support for �鶹��ý mental health and healthy lifestyles. In support of that pillar, our Wellness Executive Team of experts are developing a comprehensive approach based on eight dimensions of well-being and social determinants of health.

An integrated model with impact

Developing an experience where all �鶹��ýs can thrive and grow strong requires an integrated, comprehensive approach. For example, we have evidence that interventions beyond counseling can have a tremendous impact on mental health. The top three benefits cited by �鶹��ýs who use the Student Recreation Center are more energy, less stress and greater self-esteem—clear evidence of what many studies have demonstrated for years: physical health strengthens mental health. As another example, education and training can play a crucial role in creating a culture of belonging. Eighty-eight percent of first year �鶹��ýs who completed Health Promotion and Education training felt they were better equipped to help a friend who is struggling. 

The Empowering Futures Gift is making our aspirations a reality. As we continue to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of proposed strategies, some that are currently under consideration include a peer health education program. These paid �鶹��ý educators will specialize in mental health, social wellness, belonging, substance abuse issues, spiritual wellness and purpose. This strategy is in alignment with the JED Campus recommendations, which offers national best-practice strategies for enhancing �鶹��ý mental health. 

As currently proposed, peer educators will help Broncos build their skills and provide widespread �鶹��ý for �鶹��ýs, faculty and staff to learn how to help �鶹��ýs in distress and connect them to support resources and also build skills in self-care, resiliency and social connectedness. 

We are also considering a new wellness coaching system at no cost to �鶹��ýs that offers in-person and telehealth options. Students will work with a wellness coach to assess and build a personalized action plan around the WMU Well-being Wheel.