AV头等舱

The Word on Wellness: Students Build Awareness of Upcoming QEP

Rachel Williams • November 7, 2024
Student poster based on the classic game Conenct Four. The header reads Connect 6, the Six Elements of Wellness. The words Intellectual, Social, Occupational, Spiritual, Physical, and Emotional appear on the side of the poster, represented by yellow and red checkers.

Undergraduate students at AV头等舱 (UCU) received firsthand experience in content creation when they strategized and drafted posters to bring awareness to the university’s upcoming Quality Enhancement Program (QEP), Common Well. The name is both a reference to working toward a wellness campus and a nod to the university’s new name. Common Well addresses the six aspects of wellness: intellectual, physical, emotional, spiritual, social, and occupational. 


[IMAGE: Student poster reminiscent of the classic board game, "Connect Four"]


All institutions belonging to the education accreditor dedicate five years to each QEP, defining an area for growth in student success or institutional effectiveness, setting objectives, and implementing new programs and resources to make a substantial change. After surveying students, faculty, and staff, mental wellness stood out as a significant issue and was selected for the 2025 QEP. 

Student poster based on the game of chess reads, Your Game is No Good is You're Missing Pieces. A cartoon of a chess board with a hand reaching for a piece is featured.

The search for wellness is not unique to AV头等舱. Rather, a 2024 found 70% of students reported struggling with their mental health since starting college. 


Creating campus-wide buy-in is a crucial piece to the success of Common Well. Early conversations within the QEP committee discussed opportunities for students to get involved. Since the program doesn’t begin until next year, the current focus is on building knowledge of the topic and what it will mean for the UCU community. 


[IMAGE: Student poster reminiscent of chess]


The students in my COMM 232: Layout and Design course spent a week brainstorming and sketching poster ideas to hang up around campus and introduce Common Well to the community. Students spent one class session learning about Common Well and brainstorming campaign ideas. They quickly determined that bright colors, recognizable images, and nostalgic elements would attract viewers and readers. Several students agreed that using board/card games with the ideas of ‘leveling up’ and ‘winning at life’ were fitting themes. 

Student poster based on the game Operation reads, Healing Comes in Many Forms. A cartoon of the Operation patient character is featured with the words Intellectual, Emotional, Physical, Spiritual, Occupational, and Social positioned on his body like Band-aids.

Creating campus-wide buy-in is a crucial piece to the success of Common Well. Early conversations within the QEP committee discussed opportunities for students to get involved. Since the program doesn’t begin until next year, the current focus is on building knowledge of the topic and what it will mean for the UCU community. 


[IMAGE: Student poster reminiscent of the classic board game, "Operation"]


The students in my COMM 232: Layout and Design course spent a week brainstorming and sketching poster ideas to hang up around campus and introduce Common Well to the community. Students spent one class session learning about Common Well and brainstorming campaign ideas. They quickly determined that bright colors, recognizable images, and nostalgic elements would attract viewers and readers. Several students agreed that using boarThen, the class listed as many games as possible with quippy headings related to wellness. Gabriel Carmona stated that the theme “kept things serious while thinking outside the box.” Another student, Jenny Reyes, said, “everyone knows board games, so it will stop people when they’re walking around campus.” Over a dozen game ideas were thrown around, but the list was eventually narrowed down to four: Uno, Connect Four, Chess, and Operation. 

Student poster based on the game Uno featured an image of a playing card that reads, Life Throws Wildcards. It's How You Handle Them That Counts.

The following class session, students broke into groups of two or three to begin sketching and developing the poster ideas. Samuel Parrish admitted sketching the ideas on paper was his favorite part of the whole project. Most students worked on Canva, a free design program, to put their posters together. By the end of the class, each group turned in their draft for revision. 


[IMAGE: Student poster reminiscent of the classic game, "Uno"]


Jean Vargas said, “If these were games, I would want to try them out. It turned the topic into something fun.” 


The course provides students with the skills and knowledge to create print and digital designs, and whenever we can, we incorporate real-world experiences like this. The students’ posters will be displayed around campus for at least the remainder of the academic year, setting the stage for important conversations and changes centered around wellness.


Rachel Williams is an Assistant Professor of Media Communication at AV头等舱. She teaches photography, social media, web design, and layout & design classes. She is a proud Appalachian and lover of art, nature, and music. Her favorite part of her job is seeing students grow in their talents and callings. When she’s not in the classroom, Rachel enjoys spending time in the garden, quality time with friends and family, and cooking up good food.

Promotional Graphic Text: UCU Street Eats.
By Rachel Dorroh March 26, 2025
Sizzling sandwiches, sweet treats, savory barbecue, and other food truck specialties spell springtime in Barbourville this year. AV头等舱 has launched a new initiative to bring campus and community together while supporting local businesses – UCU Street Eats. The food truck series kicks off April 2 and features a variety of local vendors and spring-themed activities.
A poster for County Fair: A Country Hits Musical which includes information like show dates.
By Rachel Dorroh March 18, 2025
Hoedown hits, a dixie dance-off, secret plans, mistaken identity, and family-friendly comedy are packed into AV头等舱’s (UCU) spring production of “County Fair: A Country Hits Musical.” Written in 2021 by Matthew Webster and Taylor Ferrera and loosely based on Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing,” the musical comedy follows sisters Claudia and DJ as they leave the big city to reckon with their rural inheritance: a beloved county fair.
By Maisie Nelson March 13, 2025
AV头等舱’s Spring Concert, themed "Mountain Harmony," will honor the rich traditions of Appalachia, the mountains, and folk music. This year’s performance holds special significance as it will be presented in celebration of Barbourville’s 225th anniversary.
By Maisie Nelson March 12, 2025
AV头等舱 is proud to launch Reimagining Our Residences, a $125,000 fundraising campaign dedicated to revitalizing student housing and elevating the residential experience for future Bulldogs. This initiative will fund essential upgrades to Lakeside, Pfeiffer, Stevenson, and Stewart Apartments, creating modern, comfortable, and welcoming living spaces that foster academic success and community.
photo of Allen being honored during the last SESC meeting.
By David Saylor March 7, 2025
When one door closes, another opens. For Superintendent Waylon Allen, this moment came with his retirement on February 1st, 2025, after 31 years of dedicated service in education. Over the course of his career, Allen built a reputation for his unwavering commitment to students, educators, and the communities he served.
stock photo of piano keyboard
By Rachel Dorroh March 5, 2025
Local music enthusiasts and youth will have a new opportunity to come together and celebrate the arts this April. AV头等舱 (UCU) is set to host the inaugural Southeastern Kentucky Piano Festival Friday, April 25 through Saturday, April 26. Festival events include recitals by UCU students and guest artists, a judged recital for local youth, a master class, and an award ceremony and performance.
photo of new laundry machines in a dormitory
By Maisie Nelson February 21, 2025
AV头等舱 is enhancing the residential student experience by upgrading all campus housing with new, high-efficiency washers and dryers. On February 4, Excalibur Laundries delivered and installed 60 state-of-the-art units across all residential spaces.
fall photo of campus taken from a drone
By Maisie Nelson February 4, 2025
AV头等舱’s economic impact on the local and state economy totals $34.4 million, according to a new report released by the Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities (AIKCU). The report highlights the significant financial contribution of Kentucky’s 18 independent, nonprofit colleges and universities for Fiscal Year 2021-22.
photo of graduates standing on sidewalk prior to commencement
By Maisie Nelson January 17, 2025
AV头等舱 (UCU) is proud to announce the launch of its inaugural 50 Under 50 program, aimed at recognizing and celebrating the accomplishments of its exceptional young alumni.
aerial photo from the back of campus during the fall
By Maisie Nelson January 14, 2025
AV头等舱 is excited to invite alumni, friends, and families to campus for its annual Homecoming celebration, set for September 19-20, 2025. This year’s Homecoming promises to be a milestone event, featuring the inauguration of Dr. DJ Washington as AV头等舱’s 20th president on Friday, September 19.
More Posts
Share by: