Thriving at St. Lawrence
Thriving at St. Lawrence
Walk across the St. Lawrence campus, and you’ll feel it immediately—the hum of conversations in the Student Center, the beauty of tree-lined pathways, the familiar warmth of favorite buildings that have welcomed generations of Laurentians. But this year, something new is woven into the campus landscape: banners and bright icons announcing SLU Thrives, an initiative that is reshaping the student experience.
More than a campaign or a collection of programs, SLU Thrives represents a bold reimagining of what it means to support students in the 21st century. It begins with a simple but powerful premise: students cannot succeed academically, socially, or professionally unless they first know how to be well.
“SLU Thrives equips every student to be their best self—whether that’s in the classroom, as they make friends, or as they prepare for a life of impact,” says Vice President for Student Life Jon Duraj, who leads the initiative. “We guide students across holistic dimensions of well-being that, when strengthened, help them live more meaningful and satisfying lives.”
SLU Thrives is the evolution of earlier well-being initiatives launched by President Kate Morris upon her arrival at St. Lawrence. It is grounded not only in national trends, but also in data from the University’s partnership with the JED Foundation and the Healthy Minds Study, one of the nation’s leading assessments of collegiate mental health and well-being.
The findings are striking:
- 84% of St. Lawrence students say the University takes well-being seriously and prioritizes it.
- 56% of students reported that a mental health or well-being challenge impacted their ability to do well academically in the preceding month.
- Students identified career concerns, finances, making friends, and interpersonal relationships as top stressors affecting their academic and personal success.
These realities mirror national patterns—but they also affirm something uniquely St. Lawrence: students already view the University as a place that takes their well-being seriously. SLU Thrives meets this moment by intentionally organizing the entire student experience around well-being.
“We know this generation has been shaped by the pandemic, rapid technological change, and social polarization,” Duraj says. “Students come to us without the same opportunities to practice interpersonal skills and build community. Our job is to meet them where they are and lift them up.”
Much hard work by faculty and staff across campus over many years led to the creation of SLU Thrives. “I am excited for the work of the cross-campus steering committee and the soon-to-form student steering committee for championing well-being in these ways,” Duraj adds.
Seven Dimensions for a New Generation
At the heart of SLU Thrives are seven dimensions of well-being:
- Intellectual and career exploration
- Environmental and community engagement
- Mind and body
- Financial literacy
- Social belonging and inclusion
- Meaning-making, purpose, and spirituality
- Digital wellness
These dimensions recognize that well-being isn’t just about exercising or managing stress. It also means understanding your finances, developing purpose, building community, navigating digital life with intention, and learning how to care for your mind, body, relationships, and future.
SLU Thrives does not replace St. Lawrence’s longstanding support systems—it strengthens and integrates them. The University is already ranked #5 in the nation for student support and counseling services by The Princeton Review, and is home to a nationally recognized Center for Career Excellence powered by the #1 alumni network for career support.
Fitness and recreation facilities, the First-Year Program, and active student organizations all contribute to a deeply student-centered experience. What’s new is the intentionality: creating a shared language and campus-wide structure that helps students see how these elements connect—and how they connect to their own well-being.
“SLU Thrives lets us tailor the student experience to the unique needs of each individual,” Duraj explains. “It’s not just about services or programs; it’s about helping students connect the dots and see how each part of campus life supports their well-being.”
A New Kind of First-Year Support
Nowhere is that intentionality more visible than in the first-year residence halls. This fall, the University introduced Thrive Mentors—upperclass students trained in holistic well-being who live in every first-year residence hall.
“My role is to be a guiding light,” says Charlotte Doellefeld ’28, a Thrive Mentor in Whitman North. “I’m there for emotional and social support, more as a built-in friend.”
Each week, Thrive Mentors hold open-door hours where first-year students can talk about everything from homesickness to social stress. They also accompany residents to at least one event from each well-being dimension every semester, helping them explore, experiment, and connect.
“It’s not uncommon to hear upperclass students say they wish they’d had a Thrive Mentor when they were moving in,” says Maverick Cummings, director of Residence Life.
Cummings believes the impact goes beyond simple support. “Well-being is central to everything we do. Students can’t be successful if they don’t know how to be well, and SLU Thrives helps them think about well-being beyond stereotypical ideas. It goes far beyond mental health or the gym.”
A Vision for the Future
Over the next five years, St. Lawrence plans to expand SLU Thrives with:
- A well-being assessment tool for incoming students
- Signature experiences in each dimension
- Increased faculty collaboration
- Deeper integration across departments and student leadership roles
The long-term vision is clear: for well-being to become not just something St. Lawrence supports, but something it teaches—a foundational part of what it means to be a well-educated person.
“We’re teaching students a systemic way of thinking about their lives,” Duraj says. “That’s a powerful part of a St. Lawrence education.”
