Student Wellness Advisory Council

We are excited to announce a unique opportunity for students to play a pivotal role in shaping the wellness culture across their campus and the University of Tennessee System. Jessi Gold, M.D., M.S., chief wellness officer with the UT System, in collaboration with the UT System Student Success team, is inviting applications for the 2025–26 Student Wellness Advisory Council.

What is the Student Wellness Advisory Council?

The Student Wellness Advisory Council is designed to bring together undergraduate and graduate student voices from across the UT System to enhance our collective understanding of student wellness needs and perspectives, and work together to create systemwide educational content and opportunities around wellness. Wellness is a multifaceted concept that includes emotional, physical, social and financial well-being, among others. By focusing on these areas, we aim to foster a culture that prioritizes prevention, support and overall student success both in college and beyond. We do not want to do work and suggest ideas for wellness across the system without the help of those they impact, students, and the council will serve as that feedback mechanism and advocate for students and their lived experiences on each campus and together.

Why Should Students Consider Joining?

1. Influence and Impact: Members will have the opportunity to be a wellness ambassador for the system from their campus, generate ideas, be integrated into campus-wide events, provide feedback on systemwide wellness initiatives to campus leadership and council, and craft impactful messaging (via social media and other platforms) to promote wellness across the UT System.

2. Leadership and Advocacy: Students will have the opportunity to serve as ambassadors for wellness, helping to lead cultural change and key conversations across the UT System.

3. Professional Development: Participation will involve monthly meetings, social media content development, potential contributions to a wellness newsletter, feedback on systemwide events and initiatives, and opportunities to suggest and develop systemwide projects.

4. Network and Collaboration: Members will connect with peers from different campuses, enhancing their collaborative and leadership skills.

Commitment and Benefits

• Monthly Meetings: Regular participation in discussions and planning sessions, with flexibility around holidays and vacations. The undergraduate and graduate councils will meet together.
• Social Media Engagement: Each member will have the chance to assist in managing the UT Wellness social media channels, creating videos and coming up with ideas. There will also be a social media committee for more specific social media leadership.
• Publication Opportunities: Interested students can write columns for future wellness newsletters, and collaborate on systemwide wellness projects and initiatives and more.

How to Apply

Interested students should complete the application form, which takes approximately 8–10 minutes. Applications will be reviewed to ensure at least two undergraduate and two graduate representatives selected from each campus (UT Knoxville, UT Chattanooga, UT Southern, UT Martin and the UT Health Science Center). Alternatives may also be selected due to schedule’s changing and students needing to drop out. Selected students will be notified by our leadership team.

Applications for 2025-26 council membership must be submitted by April 11.

Student Wellness Advisory Council Application:

For any questions, please contact Dominique Harrison, student success coordinator, at dharri91@tennessee.edu.