Fullerton College’s Mindful Growth Makes Big Strides Across Campus
Fullerton College’s Mindful Growth Initiative has made significant progress during the 2023-24 academic year. Established in 2014 by Deidre Hughes and Miguel Powers under the California Community Colleges’ Success Network (3CSN) Habits of Mind Initiative, Mindful Growth addresses the affective domain in learning communities. To broaden its impact, Sarah Kaump became Project Coordinator in September 2023. Initially part of the Humanities Division, Mindful Growth now operates under Guided Pathways in the Library and Learning Resources, Instructional Support Programs and Services Division.
Mindful Growth promotes values of belonging, respect, accountability, and compassion to enhance learning, growth, well-being, and community. Its well-researched techniques in mindfulness, self-compassion, purpose, belonging, and academic growth mindsets have proven to improve student performance and retention, enhance well-being for faculty, staff, and students, and advance access, equity, and inclusion for the diverse student population. Regular events like Mindful Monday and Thoughtful Thursday offer stress relief and community building. Many campus departments and programs are expressing interest in incorporating the initiative.
Through the First Year Experience, instructors can request tailored Mindful Growth presentations, ranging from 10 to 60 minutes, to introduce mindfulness benefits and guided practices, often timed around essay or test preparations.
Utilizing their new position in the Guided Pathways department, Mindful Growth is expanding its collaborations across campus to integrate mindfulness into classrooms, create cohort workshops, and provide resources for faculty and staff. Recent partnerships include workshops with Re-Entry Program Coordinator Amy O’Daniel, a unique sound bath practice with Mario Fuentes in the Promise Program, and several “Rest and Relaxation into Finals” events coordinated with Health Education Coordinator Kelly Salazar.
Thanks to campus-wide collaboration, Mindful Growth looks forward to expanding its reach and fostering coping strategies and community in the upcoming academic year. For more information, visit the Mindful Growth Initiative’s website.
