indicates that link will open in a new window.Your Well-Being Matters
Okanagan Charter
The U.S. Health Promoting Campuses Network is guided by the Okanagan Charter: An International Charter for Health Promoting Universities and Colleges to embed health into all aspects of campus culture; and to lead health promotion action and collaboration, locally and globally. The Charter provides institutions with a common language, principles, and a vision for wellbeing in person, place and planet.
The Purpose of the Charter
- Guide and inspire action by providing a framework that reflects the latest concepts, processes, and principles relevant to the Health Promoting Universities and Colleges movement, building upon advances since the 2005 Edmonton Charter
- Generate dialogue and research that expands local, regional, national, and international networks and accelerates action on, off, and between campuses
- Mobilize international, cross-sector action for the integration of health in all policies and practices, thus advancing the continued development of health-promoting universities and colleges.
Calls to Action
- Embed health into all aspects of campus culture, across the administration, operations, and academic mandates
- Lead health promotion action and collaboration locally and globally
Terminology
In creating a culture of a Health Promoting Campus, we want to ensure we are building from a shared understanding and foundation. Understanding the difference between health, wellness, and well-being can be a stepping stone to systemic change at Illinois.
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign adopted the Okanagan Charter as part of Health Promoting Campus on February 13, 2025.
As an institution, we have a unique opportunity and responsibility to provide transformative learning opportunities, engage the voices of diverse stakeholders in an effort to realize collective impact, develop new knowledge and understanding, lead by example, and advocate to decision-makers for the benefit of society. In the emergent knowledge society, we are positioned to generate, share, and implement knowledge and research findings to enhance the health of citizens and communities both now and in the future.
Illinois Commitments:
- Commit to include well-being in the institution’s strategic, master, and budget planning.
- Commit to ensure that all members of the campus community have equitable access to resources and opportunities for well-being.
- Commit to sustainable campus design and practices that promote physical and mental health.
- Commit to invest dedicated resources in health promotion initiatives and outcomes.
- Commit to regularly publishing comprehensive reports on health promotion systems and settings work, the outcomes, and future planning.
- Commit to actively collaborate across the USHPCN and international campuses.
- Commit to integrate well-being into our core policies, practices, and decision-making.
Wellbeing Collective Steering Committee
- Angela Ajeesh, Graduate Student, Master of Public Health
- Randy Ballard, Senior Associate Director of Athletics, Sports Medicine, Division of Intercollegiate Athletics
- Charlotte Davidson, Director, Native American House
- Alana Harris, Associate Director, Assessment and Student Wellness, Campus Recreation
- Janet Jokela, Senior Associate Dean for Engagement, Carle Illinois College of Medicine
- Melissa Kisubika, Student Success Initiative Manager, Office of the Provost
- Brianna Marcelo, Assistant Chancellor for Culture, Learning and Engagement, Illinois Human Resources
- Kathy Martensen, Associate Provost for Educational Programs and Success Initiatives, Office of the Provost
- Bridget Melton, Director of Strategic Planning & Communications, Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Institute
- Emerson Sebastiao, Assistant Professor, Health and Kinesiology
- Awais Vaid, Executive Director, McKinley Health Center
- Morgan White, Associate Director of Facilities and Services and Director of Sustainability
Faculty and Staff Wellbeing Council
- Sara Maxwell, Assistant Director, Well-Being Services, Illinois Human Resources
- Sandraluz Lara-Cinisomo, Associate Professor, Health and Kinesiology (AHS)
- Emily Harmon, Family Life Educator, Illinois Extension (ACES)
- Will Sander, Associate Professor, Director DVM/MPH Program, Vet Medicine Administration
- Kandace Turner, Director of Public Engagement, Office of Public Engagement
- Ian Brooks, Director, Center for Health Informatics, Information Science
- Krystal Hodge, Assistant Professor, Food Science & Human Nutrition
- Sarthak Prasad, Project Coordinator for Sustainable Transportation, F&S Transportation Demand Management
- Jamie Singson, Director of Parking, Office of the VC for Administration and Operations
- Heather Wright, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, Carle Illinois College of Medicine
- Colleen Crawford, Employee Engagement and Wellness Coordinator, System Human Resources Services
Student Wellbeing Council
- Jen Carson, Associate Director- Marketing, Student Affairs
- Talisha Brown, Clinical Counselor, Student Affairs
- Nichole Summers, Director of Counselling and Wellbeing, Vet Med
- Lauren Boucek, Director of Student Wellness, College of Medicine
- Andrea Bridges, Wellbeing and Community Coordinator, Graduate College
- Abisola Smith, Assistant Director-Basic Needs, Student Affairs
- Cory Ohms, Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Academic Programs, Gies College of Business
- Rummana Alam, Teaching Professor, Chair Senate Committee on University Student Life, College of Law
- Alexia Hammonds, First year PhD student, Health and Kinesiology
- Etienne Sirois, Landscape Architecture - Undergraduate Student, Fine and Applied Arts
- Andrew Kuchem, Asst. Dir of Competitive Sports & Community, Campus Recreation
- Flora Mendoza, Asst. Director – Dietitian of Dining Services, University Housing
Illinois has many active systems and settings that fit within the Okanagan Charter framework. Some Health Promoting Campus initiatives include:
As a Health Promoting Campus, we work collectively with the faculty, staff, and student population at the University of Illinois. We welcome any questions, suggestions, and feedback.
