Wellness is important at any age. Graduate students face a specific set of challenges to their overall health. Getting enough sleep, exposure to sunshine and nature, making healthy food choices, setting aside time for exercise, building community, and maintaining a peaceful living environment all contribute to graduate student success. Brains perform best when these health components are prioritized. To support the Master of Biostatistics students in all facets of graduate life, Kendall Mincey, Senior Program Coordinator, applied for and was granted a training position in the selective ten-month Duke Integrative Health and Wellbeing Coach Training in 2021. After coaching students for a year under the Duke certification, she took and passed the national board exam for health and wellness coaches in 2023.
Each day, Kendall uses her experience and training to support students. Let’s hear a bit from Kendall about some activities and events that benefit the students throughout the year.
"In my experience working with graduate students, I find that a feeling of connection, inclusion, and acceptance is of utmost importance. To help foster community and build relationships, I start at orientation and continue with forming Biostat Buddy support groups, helping students find affinity groups, developing their active listening skills, and leading small group discussions. Puzzles and board games are available in the student commons area. A birthday board showcases each student’s special day. An announcement board shares information about upcoming events. A wellness board is regularly updated with tips for managing stress and anxiety. During the fall semester, I organize a group hike at a nearby state park. Also in the fall, I coordinate free admission tickets to the NC State Fair for all students.
Graduate students, who are interested, meet one-on-one with me for 15-minute sessions throughout the year to focus on any topic of their choice. This could include organizational skills, roommate concerns, motivation and accountability, sleep problems, physical activity, diet and nutrition, professional development, and other related issues. I also host small groups for lunch or coffee in my office for culture sharing and building community. One-on-one and small group meetings continue into the spring semester. Planned activities in the spring include an all-inclusive Lunar New Year lunch and celebration, as well as holiday acknowledgments, i.e., Valentine’s Day, and Grad Student Appreciation Week.
In past years, focus on mindfulness supports and resources have been featured during the Appreciation Week. I write spotlight articles for the program website, featuring current students to celebrate and showcase their accomplishments during their journey toward a Master of Biostatistics degree. Graduation meetings are held with individual graduates to finalize the program details, review the elements of the graduation celebration, and ensure future alumni connections."
- Kendall Mincey
Wellness Resources at Duke
- Students have access to a range of wellness resources and support through Duke’s Student Wellness Center.
- Additional Health and wellness resources are available through the Duke Student Affairs Resource Hub.