Building on its commitment to providing a supportive and inclusive campus environment, Brock University celebrated the first graduates of its Ambassador of Campus Well-being program on Thursday, Jan. 22.
The new professional development program equips employees with the evidence-based knowledge, practical tools and confidence to holistically support student mental health and wellness.
Launched in October 2025, the 12-week micro-credential is supported by the McCall MacBain Foundation.
Renata Faber, Project Manager of Special Programs in Brock's Student Wellness and Accessibility Centre (SWAC), said the program was years in the making.
"It was a real team effort, and I'm so pleased with how it came together," she said.
Julie Fennell, Health Promotion Educator in SWAC, helped support the development of the program. She was also a member of the first graduating class.
"We have a shared responsibility as a campus community to support student well-being," she said. "Building capacity for employees to gain an in-depth understanding of mental health contributes to a more compassionate campus environment where students feel safe and confident in reaching out for support whenever they need it."
The free program includes 15 hours of training delivered through a mix of and in-person sessions and Brightspace learning, including modules focusing on emerging adults and mental health, health equity, cultivating campus well-being and supporting a student in distress.
Participants then put their learning into action by completing a capstone project.
Faber said the material covered in the program provides employees with a foundation of mental health literacy through the lens of the social determinants of health. These are non-medical factors influencing health that are shaped by the distribution of power and resources. Participants are challenged to think beyond the individual student and consider systems and structures impacting students' well-being.
Faber is heartened by the enthusiastic response to the program so far, including the cross-departmental collaborations that have also emerged.
"Like most professional development programs, participants get out what they put into the program, and our graduates have exceeded our expectations through their insights into discussions and thoughtful capstone projects," she said.
Carolyn Villella, International Student Life Specialist at Brock International, was eagerly waiting for a program like this one and is grateful to have participated in the first cohort.
"This program has deepened and strengthened my commitment to advancing well-being for international students and expanded my understanding of the current, emerging and future resources available to support students across the Brock community," she said.
In her capstone project, Villella is focusing on strengthening mental health and wellness resources for international students and supporting their transition to Brock. She said understanding the unique experiences of international students and offering guidance across the dimensions of well-being allows her team to better tailor and evolve supports over time.
"I am deeply supportive of this program and encouraged by the campus-wide commitment to a holistic approach to wellness that recognizes the diverse experiences, values and backgrounds of our students," she said. "Participating in this initiative has meaningfully enriched my daily work with international students and strengthened how I support their well-being."
More than 75 employees have enrolled in the program so far.
Faber said she and the team look forward to "expanding the network of passionate staff across campus that are invested in supporting student mental health and well-being," with the goal of seeing 100 employees complete the program.
The Ambassador of Campus Well-Being program is open to all Brock employees. New cohorts open on a monthly basis.
For more information or to register, contact Faber at rfaber@brocku.ca or SWAC Executive Director Bill Helmeczi at whelmeczi@brocku.ca
