Wellness at Whitman: Creating a Culture of Caring

It’s Thursday afternoon, and a group of Whitman College students is gathered around a table in the All Faiths Room at Reid Campus Center. Over snacks, conversation and chill music, they’re painting handmade thank-you cards for someone special in their life.

It’s a typical gathering of Art and Soul, a weekly event that provides a moment of calm for students amid the whirlwind of academic life. The program is part of a broader set of offerings from Whitman’s Office of Religious and Spiritual Life designed to promote mindfulness and creativity in a supportive, low-pressure environment.

Led by Interfaith Chaplain Adam Kirtley, who also facilitates religious life and promotes religious diversity on campus, Art and Soul invites students to engage in guided creative projects—such as shaping clay, painting or embroidery—while reflecting on their mental well-being.

Mindful Moments

Art and Soul offers an opportunity for students to take a step back from their responsibilities, with a sense of balance and intentionality. 

“Whitman can pull us in so many different directions when we’re feeling stretched,” Kirtley says. “Programs like this provide a space to pause, even briefly, and reconnect with ourselves.” 

In addition to Art & Soul, Kirtley hosts weekly grief groups on Mondays, offering consistent support for students processing loss. These spaces can provide a steady foothold during challenging times, ensuring that students have an outlet when they need it most.

Accessible, inclusive programming is at the heart of Kirtley’s approach. “You don’t need a particular spiritual or religious identity to engage with these programs,” he says. “It’s about meeting people where they are and creating spaces that feel welcoming to everyone.”

Putting Student Wellness First

In addition to creative and reflective programs like Art and Soul, Whitman recently launched the Wellnest, a quiet decompression space in the Welty Student Health Center. The Wellnest has quickly become a favorite among students, providing a tranquil retreat to relax, meditate or simply breathe. 

Assistant Vice President for Wellness Aimée Milne also highlights the broad range of resources available to Whitman students. In addition to counseling services, group therapy, and wellness workshops like Health in the Halls, the college hosts De-Stress Fest, an end-of-semester series of events where students can relax and recharge with animal meet-and-greets, movement workshops, craft stations, fidget tools and more. 

“Supporting student well-being requires a multifaceted approach,” Milne explains, emphasizing how these initiatives address the unique challenges students face today.

By combining creative outlets, structured support and dedicated spaces like the Wellnest, Whitman fosters a culture of wellness, ensuring that students feel empowered to prioritize their mental health and well-being.