NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University is launching an initiative to help students, faculty and staff stay connected and feel encouraged during challenging circumstances. The Center of Positivity, Well-being and Hope at www.nsula.edu/positivity, is an online forum where the NSU community can share uplifting performance art, visual art, photographs and inspirational writing, according to Neeru Deep, an instructor in the Department of Psychology who is spearheading the initiative, along with a steering committee of administrators, faculty from different departments, staff and students.

“The mission of the Center for Positivity, Wellbeing and Hope is to promote positive thinking, enhance well-being and instill resilience and hope to the NSU family so they can enhance their lives, transform communities and positively impact the world,” Deep said.

Deep proposed the idea to university and departmental administrators with positive feedback.  She credited Anna Jennings, NSU IT application developer, with designing the web page; Beth Mann, former director of publications, with designing the logo and Dr. Carmella Parker, coordinator of outreach and special projects and associate professor in the School of Business, for creating a submission form to ensure that content offered for submission is original and meets guidelines for publication. Deep is working closely with Counseling and Career Services staff Rebecca Boone, director, and Maggie Welch, assistant director, to share content that positively impacts the NSU family.  Many faculty members, staff and students provided the material for the website.

The initiative dovetails with the university’s efforts to address the mental health of the campus community as individuals cope with hardships created by the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing and uncertainties about the future.

Immediate response to launch was positive with praise from faculty who shared the link with students.

“Looks great, Neeru! So exciting to see your vision come to fruition, what a collaborative process,” wrote Dr. Kim McAlister, Dean of the Gallaspy College of Education and Human Development.

“Very inspiring,” wrote Dr. Jim Mischler, head of the Department of English, Foreign Languages and Cultural Studies.  “Thanks for your vision and your hard work on this project, Neeru. It will help all of us now—and in the future.”

“This is a wonderful site. I will post the Center’s website address in my Moodle course shells for students to explore and enjoy,” wrote Dr. Marcia Hardy, a professor in NSU’s School of Business.”

Deep expressed thanks to everyone who helped her to bring her vision of Center for Positivity, Well-being, and Hope to reality.

Neeru Deep

To submit items to be placed on the site, email positivity@nsula.edu.