The Okanagan Wellbeing Collective hosted its third annual wellbeing retreat on Jan. 23, at Old Chapel, bringing together campus leaders, staff and community members to advance a shared commitment to health and wellbeing for people, place and planet.
The Okanagan Wellbeing Collective represents UMass’s ongoing work to implement the principles of the Okanagan Charter, an international framework that calls on universities to embed health and wellbeing into all aspects of campus culture, operations, and community engagement. Guided by this university-wide commitment, the retreat created space for learning, reflection and collaboration across departments.
This year’s retreat featured a keynote presentation from UMass Dining, recognized as the number one campus dining program in the country. The presentation highlighted how UMass Dining promotes wellbeing through inclusive meal planning, intentional nutrition, partnerships with local agriculture and a strong commitment to sustainability. These efforts exemplify how institutional systems can actively support physical health, social belonging and environmental stewardship.
Participants explored how food systems can serve as a powerful driver of wellbeing, fostering connection while supporting diverse dietary needs and responsible environmental practices. In addition to the keynote, the retreat encouraged meaningful dialogue around how wellbeing can be embedded into daily decision-making and long-term strategy across the university.
Through shared learning and collective reflection, the Okanagan Wellbeing Collective retreat continues to strengthen a culture of care at UMass, translating the Okanagan Charter’s vision into actionable, values-driven practice.
For more information about the Okanagan Wellbeing Collective and future events, visit umass.edu/wellbeing.