Employee Well-being Spotlights
Embodying Well-Being at Work: Featured Stories
Christina Alston, PhD
Director, Office of Graduate Access and Retention
Graduate School
Since joining CU nearly three years ago, Christina Alston has centered her leadership on clarity, integrity and care. In her role within the Graduate School, she works to ensure graduate students feel supported and seen鈥攚hile also modeling what it means to lead with intention and balance.
For Christina, workplace well-being is rooted in reciprocity. 鈥淚 want to know what the organization truly needs from me to be successful, and I want the organization to know what I need to be successful,鈥 she explains. 鈥淲hen we鈥檙e both clear and invested, work feels healthy.鈥 She describes well-being as finding balance without reaching burnout, and having the autonomy to make thoughtful, values-aligned decisions about how she works and uses her energy. Being able to set boundaries or choose initiatives that align with her goals is not about avoiding responsibility鈥攊t鈥檚 about sustaining high standards over time. Drawing on the words of bell hooks, Christina reflects that freedom is not simply having choices, but having the knowledge and clarity to understand how those choices affect us. For her, peace of mind at work comes from having space to think critically, offer her perspective and move forward with integrity. That clarity is foundational to her happiness and sense of well-being in the workplace.
Christina begins each day with intention. Every morning, she opens Badass Affirmations to a random page, writes the date and reflects on the message she finds. She connects the affirmation to her own life and affirms it aloud: 鈥淐hristina, this is you.鈥 If a negative thought surfaces, she challenges it immediately. 鈥淭hat daily mantra helps me move with confidence and positivity,鈥 she shares. 鈥淚t keeps me grounded before inviting anyone else鈥檚 energy into my day.鈥 With her colleagues and staff, Christina fosters a culture of honesty and care. When someone expresses feeling overwhelmed, her response is not to simply push through. Instead, she encourages them to take the time they need. 鈥淭he work will still be there,鈥 she says. 鈥淲e are not guaranteed tomorrow in the same way. Investing in ourselves is necessary for productivity.鈥 For the broader community, she believes well-being is built through both rigor and connection. Academic excellence matters, but so do opportunities to build trust and joy together. Events like the annual 抖阴传媒在线 Black Blossom retreat create space for learning, laughter and restoration. 鈥淲e work hard,鈥 she notes, 鈥渁nd we also make space to celebrate and restore.鈥
Christina encourages individuals to first define what health and wellness truly mean to them. 鈥淭hat looks different for everyone,鈥 she says. For some, it may be physical strength; for others, mental clarity, strong relationships, spiritual grounding or alignment with personal values. She recommends asking: Where do I feel strong? Where do I feel depleted? Where do I want to grow? Where do I want to pour back into others? She also urges thoughtful reflection when something feels off. Rather than immediately internalizing stress as personal failure, she suggests discerning whether the strain stems from personal habits or boundaries鈥攐r from external forces such as leadership, culture or workload. 鈥淭oo often we internalize systemic issues and call them personal failures,鈥 she explains. 鈥淪ometimes growth is personal. Sometimes the environment needs to shift. Discern the difference.鈥 Finally, she emphasizes that wellness requires action. Whether through small, consistent steps鈥攍ike setting one new boundary each week鈥攐r larger changes such as advocating for structural improvements, movement matters. 鈥淲ellness is not passive,鈥 Christina says. 鈥淥nce you identify the root cause, take action.鈥
Leia Atas
Senior Program Manager, Volunteer Engagement
Alumni Association
Since joining CU nearly three years ago, Leia Atas has brought both energy and intentionality to her role in Volunteer Engagement. She believes that creating meaningful connections鈥攚hether with alumni, colleagues or the broader campus community鈥攂egins with taking care of yourself and modeling well-being in everyday actions.
For Leia, workplace well-being is about productivity and balance coexisting. She describes it as the ability to accomplish your work while also caring for your mental and physical health.
鈥淚t is creating a healthy balance for yourself where you can get your work done, but also feel good holistically while you do it,鈥 she shares. 鈥淚 think this is determined by your environment, co-workers, and self-determination to do what is best for your body and mind.鈥
Leia approaches well-being through small, consistent practices that add up over time. She follows the 鈥30-30-30 rule鈥濃攅very 30 minutes, taking 30 seconds to look at something 30 feet away鈥攖o reduce screen fatigue and reset her focus. She also intentionally blocks time on her calendar for walks around campus, even during colder months, recognizing the value of movement and fresh air in sustaining energy and clarity. In meetings, Leia is intentional about showing up prepared, open-minded and positive. It鈥檚 鈥渁lways fun to show up with a smile,鈥 she notes, emphasizing the importance of creating a safe, supportive and upbeat space for colleagues. Her commitment to well-being extends beyond the office. During her campus walks, she makes it a habit to pick up at least three pieces of litter. 鈥淲e all deserve to appreciate a clean and beautiful space,鈥 she says, reinforcing her belief that community care is part of personal wellness.
Leia encourages colleagues to release the guilt that can come with taking time for themselves. Whether it鈥檚 taking short breaks during the workday, scheduling vacation time or using mental health days. She recognizes that many professionals feel pressure to constantly be 鈥渙n,鈥 but emphasizes that rest and renewal are essential to sustaining performance and well-being. Taking time to recharge, she believes, ultimately allows us to show up more fully鈥攆or our work, our colleagues and ourselves.
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Michele D. Simpson
Associate Teaching Professor, Creative Minds, Environment & Natural Science, and Honors Residential Academic Programs
Faculty Affiliate & Research Associate, Ren茅e Crown Wellness Institute
Faculty Affiliate, Center for African & African American Studies
Michele D. Simpson has a long and meaningful history with CU. After first working on campus in the 1980s and later returning, she has spent the past 30 years shaping student experiences through teaching, mentorship and community-building. Her work centers on the idea that education and well-being are inseparable.
As a teaching professor, Michele sees her well-being as deeply connected to that of her students. Through her affiliation with the Ren茅e Crown Wellness Institute, she grounds her teaching in mindfulness, compassion and love. Students know she cares about their academic success, but equally important, they understand she cares about them as people and as members of the campus community. Her assignments and class discussions are intentionally designed to meet students wherever they are and to foster belonging. 鈥淓very student who enters my classroom knows they are welcome,鈥 she explains. When her classroom becomes a safe place to land, grow and simply be, she believes both her well-being and her students鈥 well-being can flourish together.
Michele nurtures her own well-being through a blend of movement and connection: strength training, yoga, reading, time with friends and family, and鈥攊mportantly鈥攍aughter.
Her commitment to community care extends across campus. Each Wednesday she helps organize and host a 30-minute, facilitator-led Community of Practice at the Ren茅e Crown Wellness Institute that welcomes students, staff, faculty and community members. She also co-created a monthly 鈥淧AUSE,鈥 a contemplative practice session open to teaching faculty and staff, offering a structured opportunity to slow down and reset. Michele regularly facilitates mindfulness workshops for faculty and staff across CU campuses, including Colorado Springs. Beyond the university, she hosts a monthly radio program, Talking Black, which highlights Black voices, ideas and vision. Preparing for and engaging in these conversations, she says, brings a deep sense of gratitude and personal well-being.
Michele encourages people to seek out connection. On a campus of more than 38,000 people, she believes everyone can find a community鈥攂ut sometimes it requires initiative. 鈥淚f the search is taking too long, create your own group,鈥 she suggests, whether centered around books, writing, outdoor time or shared interests. In fact, she and several colleagues started their own book group as a way to build connection. She also recommends taking advantage of campus life鈥攁ttending films, plays and music performances, exploring the beauty of campus and striking up conversations with fellow curious wanderers. For Michele, well-being grows from belonging, shared experiences and the willingness to reach out.
Past Spotlights
Theresa Hernandez
Director, Crawford Family WHOLE Student-Athlete鈩 Program听
Professor, Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, CU 抖阴传媒在线
As someone who has dedicated her career to advancing health, wellness and human performance,鈥疶heresa Hernandez鈥痚mbodies well-being at work and at home. Since arriving on campus in 1990 as an Assistant Professor, she shapes a culture in which wellness is woven into the everyday experiences of her students and colleagues through her leadership, research and mentorship.
For Theresa, workplace well-being means being part of a community with shared values where people feel a sense of belonging, connectedness and shared purpose. Hernandez says it鈥檚 an environment where 鈥渋ndividuals can grow, feel supported and work on their own health and wellness. It鈥檚 also a place where health and wellness tools are accessible and utilized鈥攍ike the many offerings we have here at CU 抖阴传媒在线.鈥
Hernandez approaches well-being as both a personal commitment and a professional responsibility.
鈥淏y keeping my sights on my own health and wellness, as well as supporting, mentoring, and creating opportunities for our Student-Athletes and Students,鈥 she explains how she works to build community among those she collaborates with, making sure health and wellness are part of the conversation and part of our actions.
Her contributions extend into research and innovation. She studies how to create and sustain health and wellness, identifying barriers and solutions, and then disseminates these evidence-based practices broadly to increase accessibility and utilization at CU and within the broader community.
Some of the programs and services she has helped create and lead on campus include:
- ITEAplus.com鈥 an evidence-based self-care website offering individualized training and education in acupressure that is free for all users
- Be Well in the College of Arts & Sciences鈥 a comprehensive initiative promoting well-being among students, faculty, and staff
- The Crawford Family WHOLE Student-Athlete鈩 Program鈥痠n Athletics 鈥 a holistic model designed to support and optimize the health, wellness and performance of CU 抖阴传媒在线 Student-Athletes throughout their college experience and beyond
Hernandez tries to 鈥渆mbody well-being as a core value, imbuing her actions on a daily basis.鈥
鈥淟ook for and take advantage of the many health and wellness offerings available to us at CU,鈥 Hernandez encourages. 鈥淎nd remember to go outside and walk on our beautiful campus. Being in nature and among our students is a great reminder of why we are here and how we contribute.鈥听
Joshua Galloway
Bookstore Distribution Center Manager听
Business, Finance & Infrastructure (BFI), CU 抖阴传媒在线
As a leader who prioritizes people, connection and community,鈥疛oshua Galloway鈥痟as brought warmth and intention to his work at CU 抖阴传媒在线 since arriving on campus two and half years ago. Through cross-campus collaboration and a deep belief in supporting others, Galloway helps foster a workplace where employees feel valued and empowered.
鈥淔or me, workplace well-being means taking care of the people around me,鈥 he says. It鈥檚 鈥済iving others the opportunity to shape their work environment to reflect their own ideals and making everyone feel like family.鈥 Galloway feels it means ensuring each day is uplifting and that coming to CU is already being where you want to be.
Galloway believes well-being thrives through strong partnerships and shared effort.
鈥淚 promote well-being for myself, my colleagues and my community by building collaborative groups across campus to promote what CU has to offer,鈥 he explains. Galloway credits bookstore director鈥疛essica Carlsen鈥痜or allowing him to champion health for the BFI team through a monthly wellness-focused newsletter, and he highlights how鈥疛ess Morris, program director of WorkWell, plays a crucial role in creating programs he encourages his team to engage in.
Relationships with鈥疢olly Berry鈥痑nd鈥疊ecca Crosby鈥痠n HR help him spread these wellness initiatives even further.
鈥淥ur communal health affects everyone, and it takes a village to support a village,鈥 he says.
鈥淪low down, step back, dig into and utilize your benefits,鈥 Galloway advises. 鈥淲e work for a company that truly cares for its employees. Coming from the public sector, I know what it feels like to fight for a sick day without feeling like I committed a crime for not coming to work. (At CU) the benefits are already yours, just reach out and grab them.鈥听