JMU marks anniversary of Okanagan Charter adoption
JMU Headlines
SUMMARY: One year after adopting the Okanagan Charter, James Madison University has deepened its commitment to campus-wide health and well-being through new initiatives, policy development, community engagement, and global collaboration.
One year after adopting the Okanagan Charter, James Madison University continues to expand its commitment to health and well-being for students, faculty and staff.
In October 2024, JMU became the first university in Virginia to adopt the Okanagan Charter, joining an international movement of Health Promoting Campuses dedicated to embedding health and well-being into all aspects of campus culture. Over the past year, the President’s Council on Health and Well-being has led new initiatives, strengthened campus resources, and positioned JMU as a leader in this important work.
Highlights from the 2024–2025 academic year include:
- Renewal as a Health Promoting Campus by the U.S. Health Promoting Campuses Network for the 2025–2026 school year.
- Formation of a new council structure that organizes efforts around six dimensions of well-being and supports collaboration across the university.
- Policy and program development, including updates to student withdrawal and re-entry processes, a review of student health insurance feasibility, and exploration of initiatives like Project Connect for employees.
- Community engagement, such as hosting a Day of Remembrance on April 17, 2025, outreach at JMU’s Employee Appreciation Day, and awareness campaigns introducing the JMU dimensions of well-being.
- Global visibility, with JMU presenting employee well-being research at the International Health Promoting Campuses Conference in Ireland in July 2025.
Looking ahead, the council will begin a comprehensive mapping process to align JMU policies, services and programs with the six dimensions of well-being. The mapping, expected to be completed in spring 2026, will help identify gaps and shape future priorities.
“Adopting the Okanagan Charter was an important first step, but the real work happens in how we integrate health and well-being into the daily life of our community,” said Kristina Blyer, JMU’s associate vice president for health and well-being. “We are proud of the progress made in our first year and excited about the path ahead.”
