Presentations and Workshops
The Mindful University Project team provides educational presentations and training for students, departments, and schools at the University.
This training includes meditation instruction, personalized workshops, strategic consultations, and guest lectures. Please see the detailed descriptions of each program below. If you are interested in scheduling a presentation, you can request a session here!
Mindful University Project Workshop Request
For academic and administrative departments
Mindful 101
This introductory presentation to the practice of mindful meditation is available to all academic and administrative departments of the University. This one-hour session discusses the basics of meditation practice and reviews the latest research from the field of contemplative neuroscience. Participants will also learn why the practice of mindfulness in higher education is becoming increasingly important. Includes a short guided meditation as well as an interactive mindfulness activity.
Self-Compassion Break
We often find ourselves extending compassion and care for others when they are in distress, yet struggle to befriend and support ourselves when we need it. In this one-hour workshop, you will learn what self-compassion is, the research citing the ways in which this evidence-based practice can improve your well-being and mental health, as well as how you can practice this in many settings (even in a meeting!). In addition, you will have the opportunity to be guided through a self-compassion meditation to experience it for yourself!
The Mindful Workday
It can be difficult to find time for a brain break or a formal seated meditation practice during a busy workday. However, there are many ways to carve out moments for mindfulness in your day that ca help one to decrease stress and relax, as well as improve work quality and create more effective teams. In this one-hour workshop, you will learn several ways to infuse mindfulness into your workday and work together with your department to create an action plan for your team.
Strategic Consultations
Is your department interested in becoming more mindful? Typically scheduled after the introductory Mindful 101 presentation, this session will work with department heads and administrative leaders to learn creative ways to strategically integrate the practice of mindfulness into day-to-day work. Discussions could center around mindful leadership practices, effective communication strategies, integrating brief meditations within staff meetings, and how to work mindfully with the students you serve.
Four-week Mindfulness Class
To successfully create a culture of mindfulness within our community, it is important for individuals throughout the University to be grounded in their own personal practice. Our 4-week mindfulness class is the perfect way to learn to meditate or build consistency in an existing practice. Each week, two meditation techniques are taught, including breath awareness, body scan, visual imagery, and mindfulness of emotions. Participants commit to ten minutes of daily practice, one daily mindfulness activity, and gratitude reflections. Classes meet for one hour, typically mid-day or near the end of the workday. We require a minimum of 8 participants who can commit to the four weeks. The department is responsible for scheduling, promoting the class to their department, and making room arrangements (most any room with chairs will work).
10-15 Minute Mindfulness Sessions
Want to begin or end your student exec / chapter meeting with a brief guided meditation? We will meet with you to get to know your organization’s needs, interests, so we can provide your group with a tailored meditation to begin or end your meeting!
Supporting Student Mental Health Workshops
If you are interested in having us lead a workshop specifically for your department or team, we have several available for request:
- Identifying and Recognizing Students in Distress with Kaitlin Legg & Issha Travers
- Two-hour Suicide Prevention Training with Michael Siembor
For academic departments
Creating a Mindful Classroom
This small group or one-on-one training will help you to create a more mindful classroom. Perfect for anyone who holds space for students in an academic setting. We’ll discuss syllabus design, ideas to integrate mindfulness into the classroom environment, and offer professional resources within the field of contemplative pedagogy. Additionally, participants will increase their confidence to lead groups of students in meditation and receive a simple meditation script to help them get started.
Educator Self-Care and Self-Compassion
This unique workshop is designed to provide educators the opportunity to reflect on the various stressors in their teaching practice as well as their own self-care practices. In this session, participants will learn the research supporting self-care and self-compassion, and will walk away with easy ways to incorporate these practices into ones daily life. Lastly, participants will be guided through a self-compassion practice to help reduce self-criticism and combat compassion fatigue to aid in showing up more effectively with students.
10-15 Minute Mindfulness Sessions
Want to begin or end your meeting with a brief guided meditation? We will meet with you to get to know your department’s needs, interests, so we can provide your group with a tailored meditation to begin or end your meeting!
Guest Lectures
Don’t cancel that class! If you have an opening in your lecture schedule, we’d love to come in to teach your students about the practice of mindful meditation and the Mindful University Project. Our Relax and Unwind presentation is led by the Health Promotion Office’s Peer Health Advocate Intern team. This peer-to-peer program provides an overview of different meditation practices, breaks down common meditation myths, and reviews the benefits of meditation for academic success. Includes two guided meditations.
For student groups
Mindful 101
This introductory presentation to the practice of mindful meditation is available to all student groups of the University. This one-hour session discusses the basics of meditation practice and reviews the latest research from the field of contemplative neuroscience. Participants will also learn why the practice of mindfulness in higher education is becoming increasingly important. Includes a short guided meditation as well as an interactive mindfulness activity.
Self-Compassion Break
We often find ourselves extending compassion and care for others when they are in distress, yet struggle to befriend and support ourselves when we need it. In this one-hour workshop, you will learn what self-compassion is, the research citing the ways in which this evidence-based practice can improve your well-being and mental health, as well as how you can practice this in many settings (even in a meeting!). In addition, you will have the opportunity to be guided through a self-compassion meditation to experience it for yourself!
10-15 Minute Meditations
Want to begin or end your student exec / chapter meeting with a brief guided meditation? We will meet with you to get to know your organization’s needs, interests, so we can provide your group with a tailored meditation to begin or end your meeting!
4-week learn-to-meditate classes
To successfully create a culture of mindfulness within our community, it is important for individuals throughout the University to be grounded in their own personal practice. Our 4-week mindfulness class is the perfect way to learn to meditate or build consistency in an existing practice. Each week, two meditation techniques are taught, including breath awareness, body scan, visual imagery, and mindfulness of emotions. Participants commit to ten minutes of daily practice, one daily mindfulness activity, and gratitude reflections. Classes meet for one hour and 15 minutes, and we require a minimum of 8 participants who can commit to the four weeks. The student group is responsible for scheduling, promoting the class to their group members, and making room arrangements (most any room with chairs will work).