A NABITA Tip of the Week by Bridget Yuhas, Ed.D., Butler University
During my opening keynote at NABITA’s 5th Annual Case Management Summit on June 10, 2025, in Portland, Oregon, I’ll shed light on a critical truth: Student well-being isn’t just a component of success; it’s the foundation. As Dean of Student Health and Well-being at Butler University, I spearheaded the development of the Student Well-being Institutional Support Survey (SWISS), a first-of-its-kind tool crafted to measure how students perceive institutional support for their health and wellness.
Since its launch in 2020, SWISS has been deployed across more than 30 campuses nationwide to uncover actionable insights about student needs. My keynote will equip you with data-driven strategies, real-world examples, and proven interventions that not only improve outcomes but also transform lives.
The Research Case for Well-Being
Empirical evidence indicates that interventions along various dimensions of wellness have a positive impact on key student outcomes, including grade point average (GPA), retention, resilience, and sense of belonging. These benefits not only enhance students’ success but also yield significant advantages for institutions.
When we prioritize student well-being, students thrive, and universities achieve stronger outcomes, including a measurable return on investment (ROI). Investing in well-being initiatives is a smart business choice for universities, as it supports both students and the institution. By prioritizing well-being and encouraging staff and faculty to adopt it, everyone benefits.
Butler University’s Well-Being Framework
At Butler, we have developed eight research-based, measurable dimensions of well-being. Our BU|BeWell framework features Mind and Body, Social, Diversity and Inclusion, Service and Community, Career and Life Skills, Meaning and Purpose, Intellectual, and Sustainability. We bring together all campus stakeholders—students, Career Services, Faith and Vocation, Student Activities, Recreation, and more—to discuss how our work aligns. Not everyone has to do everything, but we can all contribute something to support the well-being of students. Through this type of collaboration, we create a seamless experience for students who don’t experience the silos we as staff sometimes see.
We work to embed BU|BeWell into the fabric of the undergraduate student experience by reaching out to the families and caregivers of incoming students to introduce them to our framework. Through the student experience, we aim to integrate well-being into both academic and co-curricular activities as much as possible. Our operational costs are minimal and primarily support marketing efforts. We don’t ask for more staff, programming, or resources; instead, we invite others to share their expertise and help us create a better, more seamless student experience.
This approach has helped us streamline efforts, save money, reduce the number of programs, and collaborate more effectively. It also eases pressure on students so they don’t feel overwhelmed by too many programs or events.
Addressing Basic Needs and Financial Literacy
SWISS focuses on how institutions support students across different areas of well-being rather than just assessing individual success. It provides actionable insights into where we excel and where students require additional support. By focusing on what we can control and improving accessibility and effectiveness, we can better support students.
If students lack consistent access to basic needs, they can’t fully engage in their educational experience or succeed, which in turn impacts institutional success. In my keynote, I will address this issue by drawing on my findings and external research to illustrate how many institutions are unaware of the basic needs that some students lack. Getting upstream of the problem and making sure basic needs are met is step one.
Results from SWISS showed that students feel that their institutions aren’t providing adequate financial literacy tools, and this is information they want. Research shows that the financial decisions students make during their college years can impact the rest of their lives. Making good decisions can positively shape their financial futures, while poor decisions can have lasting adverse effects. This highlights an important area where institutions can address student needs and prepare them for a more stable financial future.
SWISS also revealed that financial concerns are the third-highest stressor for undergrads. These two insights are connected: if students worry about paying for food, housing, tuition, or student loans but don’t know how to navigate those challenges—like negotiating a salary, saving, or investing—we’ve done them a disservice. This information is readily available, critical to student success after college, and can help reduce their day-to-day stress and anxiety.
Implementing Initiatives at Your Institution
Join me for my keynote address and explore how to take a proactive, transformative approach to enhancing student success. With a comprehensive and collaborative framework complemented by actionable strategies, institutions can address fundamental needs, foster well-being, and prioritize comprehensive student support. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain powerful insights that can drive meaningful change at your institution.