St. Bonaventure University celebrated the completion of its inaugural Certified Campus Care Champion pilot program, an employee development initiative designed to strengthen wellness, preparedness and a culture of care across the university community.

Throughout August, participating employees invested more than 250 combined hours in training and professional development, completing nationally recognized courses in American Heart Association Heartsaver CPR/AED, American Heart Association First Aid, and Mental Health First Aid.

Fifteen employees completed all three training opportunities and earned the university’s Certified Campus Care Champion designation: Doraia Abdessalem, Ashley Childs, Janell Clingenpeel, Jessica Foskolos, Beth Freedman, Rebecca Hixon, Matthew Hobler, Katie Lowe, Jonathan Mascaut, Kathy Parmentier, Skyler Pierce, Natalie Pronio, Stephanie Richards, Seher Rowther and Megan Torpey.

The program was developed to provide employees with practical skills and greater confidence to recognize and respond to both physical and mental health needs.

Participation does not add emergency response or other official responsibilities to an employee’s role. Rather, the program provides employees with valuable skills they can carry with them both on and off campus. The pilot also represents an investment in the university’s values of compassion, human dignity, service and care for the whole person. By bringing physical and mental health preparedness together under one program, the initiative creates another opportunity for employees to put those values into action.

“At St. Bonaventure, caring for one another is more than an aspiration; it is part of who we are,” said University President Dr. Jeff Gingerich. “The Certified Campus Care Champion program puts that commitment into action by equipping employees with practical skills to respond when someone in our community may need help. I commend our inaugural Campus Care Champions and everyone who contributed to making this program possible.”

The inaugural cohort’s success was made possible through the collaboration and expertise of Nicholas Kicior, Monica Thomas, Nicole Henderson and Suzanne Soltysik, along with the Office of Human Resources.

The Certified Campus Care Champion pilot is part of a broader effort to expand employee wellness and professional development opportunities at St. Bonaventure. Following the success and interest generated by the inaugural cohort, the university will explore future trainings.

The university congratulates its inaugural Certified Campus Care Champions and thanks all employees who participated in the August training for investing their time in strengthening a prepared, compassionate and caring Bonaventure community.