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ݮƵ Wellness Mini-Grant Program

Investing in bold, student-centered ideas that promote sustainable well-being across our campuses.

Group of attendees smiling for a photo at the ݮƵ Wellness Mini Grants Event.

About the ݮƵ Wellness Mini-Grant Program

The University of Tennessee System awards approximately $50,000 in mini grants each year to support projects focused on improving student well-being and strengthening student success across all ݮƵ campuses and institutes. Each selected project demonstrates collaboration, measurable impact and alignment with the eight dimensions of wellness defined by SAMHSA. 

2026 Well-Pitched Winner and Runner Up

The inaugural Well-Pitched ݮƵ Wellness Mini-Grant Competition provided grant recipients an opportunity to showcase their projects and receive prize money. 

  • Winner

    The winning project, Dialectical Behavior Therapy Group Intervention Program for High-Risk Students at the ݮƵ Chattanooga Counseling Center, offers group therapy support for students experiencing chronic stress or suicidal thoughts.

  • Runner-up

    Runner-up honors went to Cultivating Resilience in Undergraduate Nursing Students at the ݮƵ Chattanooga School of Nursing, a train-the-trainer initiative designed to strengthen resilience and self-care skills among nursing students.

2025 Mini Grant Recipients

Creating Community for ݮƵ–ORII Graduate Students

ݮƵ–Oak Ridge Innovation Institute; PI: Allie Burns. 

This project creates a wellness and study hub for graduate students splitting time between Knoxville and Oak Ridge, with redesigned spaces and peer-led programs.

Embedding Wellness Across Campus

ݮƵ Martin Student Health and Counseling; PIs: Allison Castleman, Jennifer Ray, Brad Baumgardner.

Short wellness modules are integrated into Canvas courses for students, faculty and staff.

New and Expecting Student/Trainee Parent Support (NEST)

ݮƵ Health Science Center Department of Pediatrics; PIs: Desiree Burroughs-Ray, Trenton Judd, Misty Nichols.

Builds peer networks and resources for medical trainees navigating parenthood.

AI-Driven Wellness for Musculoskeletal Health and Recovery

ݮƵ Health Science Center Department of Orthopedic Surgery; PI: Dr. Weiken Gu.

Uses AI to analyze posture and reduce pain and fatigue among students and staff.

ݮƵCVM Peer Wellness Liaison Program: A Student-Centered, Scalable Suicide Prevention Initiative

ݮƵ Center for Veterinary Medicine; Center for Veterinary Social Work; PIs: Dr. Bethanie Poe, Alexis Clegg, Andrew Luftin.

This program trains veterinary students in peer support and suicide prevention to strengthen mental health resources.

Vol Strolls: A Wellness Podcast on the Move

ݮƵ Knoxville College of Communication and Information; PIs: Jazmine Kelley, Chris Flowers, Tim Santos.

A student-led podcast blending mindfulness, storytelling and movement to make wellness accessible anywhere.

Digital Wellness and Boundaries Bootcam

ݮƵ Chattanooga Office of Title IX Compliance; PIs: Anitra Barrett, Sara Peters, Emily Rosenquist.

Students create online modules about healthy digital boundaries, consent and communication.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy Group Intervention Program for High-Risk Students

ݮƵ Chattanooga Counseling Center; PIs: Corinne Webster, Carisha Northcutt.

Offers therapy groups for students struggling with chronic stress or suicidal thoughts.

Cultivating Resilience in Undergraduate Nursing Students

ݮƵ Chattanooga School of Nursing; PIs: Suzanne Ridge, Jason Peter.

Builds peer resilience and self-care training using a “train-the-trainer” model.

Wellness in the Wild: Firehawk Reset Retreats

ݮƵ Southern Student Engagement and Experience; PI: Madi Worden.

Nature-based retreats focused on mindfulness, reflection and connection.

Stay in Touch with ݮƵ Wellness

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