Take 5 to Focus returns to promote daily mindfulness
Feeling less stress, having more focus, and generally being in a better mood are the key benefits of the Take 5 to Focus program. Available on the MHealthy Portal, the program encourages participants to take short breaks and engage in a mindfulness or relaxation practice each day. “Making regular space for rest and calm, even for a few minutes, is a way to practice self-compassion and attend to your well-being,” said Kelcey Stratton, chief behavioral health strategist, University Human Resources. “This program offers simple yet structured reminders to help you pause, restore and refocus.” Take 5 to Focus offers an easy and sustainable way for individuals to try out and practice a variety of mindfulness and meditation skills. To take part, individuals are asked to view a short video, about five minutes, each day for four weeks. Progress is tracked by the MHealthy portal automatically, so a participant’s effort is simply focused on the practice of mindfulness and relaxation. Registration for Take 5 to Focus is open through April 29. Participants are encouraged to watch 20 mindfulness recordings for four weeks beginning April 22. The program concludes in May, which is Mental Health Awareness Month. Learn more about Take 5 to Focus.
Nominations being sought for Harold R. Johnson Diversity Service Award
Nominations are being sought for the annual Harold R. Johnson Diversity Service Award, which recognizes faculty members whose service goes above and beyond their regular duties and contributes to the development of a culturally and ethnically diverse campus community. The award is named after Johnson, dean emeritus of the School of Social Work. The nominating deadline is April 26. Up to five awards are made annually and include a $5,000 stipend for each honoree. Nominations will be accepted for all full-time tenured, tenure-track, research track, and clinical faculty on the Ann Arbor campus, including librarians, curators and archivists. Nominations can be made by faculty, staff and students, and must include a nomination letter, which should not exceed 2,000 words and should explain the distinction that makes the nominee exceptionally qualified for this honor. The online nomination form can be found here. Learn more about the award.
Ford School to host Stacey Abrams, other policymakers and scholars
The Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy’s Dean Symposium, titled “Policy Innovation for Our Times,” will take place April 11-12 at Weill Hall. It will include several speakers and a series of panel discussions exploring social policy, racial equity, climate change and the state of democracy. The event will feature keynote appearances by voting rights advocate Stacey Abrams, technology visionary Alondra Nelson and domestic policy veteran Cecilia Muñoz, along with a series of panel discussions among scholars and policymakers examining social policy, racial equity, climate change and the state of democracy. Sessions are open to the public, though some may be available by ticket lottery. In-person attendance for Abrams’ keynote is limited by lottery to Ford School students, faculty and staff. All sessions will be livestreamed. Learn more at fordschool.umich.edu/deans-symposium, and register to attend individual sessions.
Research masterclasses available at no cost for faculty, staff, students
A new three-year pilot program will provide Nature Masterclasses professional development training for researchers of all experience levels by drawing on the expertise of Nature Portfolio journal editors and experts. These masterclasses are now available to faculty, staff and students on all three campuses thanks to the sponsorship of the Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research, the Medical School Office of Faculty Development and the Office of the Vice President for Research. U-M faculty, staff and students can access a variety of courses at no cost to them on topics including research design, experiments and analysis, writing and publishing, sharing and disseminating, and career development. Nature Masterclasses are self-paced, online instruction on the research lifecycle designed to equip researchers with the techniques and strategies to develop their skills, confidence and careers. Courses include online videos, learning activities and workshops. Learn more at research.umich.edu/workshops-and-resources/.
UM-Flint offers classes, group sports in upgraded Rec Center
With a new functional fitness room, new group fitness classes and a refreshed yoga studio, the UM-Flint Department of Recreational Services is updating the Rec Center for a better experience. The Rec Center offers a variety of programs, teams, classes and facilities that are free to registered students. New this summer, Recreational Services is offering all continuing students a free membership. Faculty, staff and family members of enrolled students can purchase memberships at a discounted rate. “We’re excited about the updates to a few of our spaces this semester and hope students will stop in for a tour if they are unfamiliar with our building,” said Julia Stulock, Recreational Services associate director of programs and marketing. Learn more about the updated UM-Flint Rec Center offerings.
— Compiled by James Iseler, The University Record
