The Strive for Well-being (SWB) Network Team partners with MHealthy, investigates best practices in evidence-based programs, and provides feedback for new ways to engage the university community in the eight dimensions of wellness.
View the Strive for Well-being Team charge.
View the Member Profiles on this page to learn more.
Strive for Well-being projects include a storytelling initiative where supervisors share how they champion well-being and, an update to the Be Kind campaign that features a gratitude email generator. The team also is investigating Wellness Coaching for staff, similar to student efforts found in the Well-being Collective. It also led to an effort to have “Faculty & Staff Well-being” placed on the landing page of Wolverine Access as a featured tile.
To learn more about the SWB team, see their 2024 project poster.
Mike Krajcik is the Facilities Coordinator at the Life Sciences Institute. He began his career at Michigan Medicine in Inpatient Child and Adolescent Psychology where he provided clinical care for 11 years. He then moved to campus where he worked at the School of Public Health before his move to LSI. He holds a Master of Education in Positive Coaching and a Graduate Certificate in Positive Psychology. He is honored to be serving a third year as part of the Striving for Well-Being Team.
Mindy joined Michigan Medicine in 2019 and moved to the Office of the Staff Ombuds in 2023. Prior to joining the university, Mindy had more than 20 years of human resources experience where she served as a business partner focused on employee relations, recruitment, training and development, and coaching. Mindy earned a BA in Human Resources Management from Baker College. She is a first-year member of the Striving for Well-being team and excited to support others through the MHealthy philosophy of well-being.
Missy Durante (she/her) is a Senior HR Representative with LSA HR. She has worked for the university for ten years in a variety of capacities in Student Life, LSA, and ITS. Missy completed her undergraduate degree at Michigan State University and a masters degree in Human Resources and Organizational Development from Eastern Michigan University. Missy loves working for the University of Michigan and is passionate about employee well-being. This is her first year on Voices of the Staff. She loves spending time with her family, reading and bullet journaling.
Nicole Exe (she/her) is a Training Specialist Senior with the Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research (MICHR). After graduating from U-M with degrees in Biology and Masters of Public Health, she started full time work at the university in 2008. This is her first year in Voices of the Staff on the Striving for Well-Being Team after numerous related committees in her department and Michigan Medicine. Nicole loves travel, reading, dance and learning about other cultures.
Nicole Lenhart has been working in Oncology research for 8 years. She is currently a part of OCTSU where she supports oncology research and creates budgets for clinical trials. Nicole joined the voices of the staff Striving for Well being to help employees improve their overall wellness habits and health knowledge.
Patrick is a lifelong Wolverine. He represented the University playing lacrosse and graduating from UM-Dearborn with a degree in Communications. After graduation, he took a job with a private fund in New York City, working as a Program Officer for 11 years. Returning to U of M in 2019, Patrick joined the Office of Research and Sponsored Projects on the Government team, safeguarding and advancing U-M’s research enterprise by providing government entities with effective and efficient full lifecycle pre and post award management as well as negotiation and compliance of externally sponsored grants, contracts, and ancillary agreements. He enjoys spending time with his wife, his large Malinois dog, and automotive projects.
Rachel Christensen (she/her) is the Safety Representative for Michigan Dining in the division of Student Life. She completed her undergraduate and masters degrees at Michigan State University. She has been working at the University for a decade, with a passion for creating a culture of safety in the workplace. Rachel is in her first year on the Well-being network team. In her spare time, Rachel likes cooking and spending time outdoors.
Sadé Wilson is the Quality Assurance Coordinator in the Education Department at the University of Michigan-Flint. Her passion is to empower minoritized, under-represented, and first-generation students. She props up the students who struggle, she celebrates with those who succeed, and she keeps in touch with alumni offering continued encouragement.
Sarah is the Degree Audit Manager and Software Specialist in the University of Michigan-Dearborn's Office of the Registrar. She is responsible for all Degree Works Scribing and the management of the Degree Works Users Group. She also processes curriculum changes in the course management system and student information system and assists in degree awarding. She has been working for the UM-Dearborn RO since 2019 and is a proud alumna of the university. She served in various roles on campus when she was a student, including being an orientation leader for two years. Go Blue, Go Dearborn!
Shannon Gass started as the Assistant Director of Academic Success & Student Support in December 2022 at the University of Michigan School of Information (UMSI). In Shannon’s role, she supports UMSI students in areas of personal and academic support. Shannon focuses on supporting UMSI students on a holistic level and supports students in getting connected to resources at UMSI and the university. Shannon previously served as the MADS Academic Advisor where she helped support online learners in areas of advising, student support, and orientation. Shannon holds a Master of Arts in Higher Education from Madonna University and a Bachelor of Science in Business/Marketing from Wayne State University.
Sharde Brandy has been with Student Life Human Resources for 8 years, supporting the Health and Wellness portfolio. In her role, she supports the frontline staff with their operational needs and acts as a business partner with leadership as they aim to meet their mission and values. When Sharde is not at work, she hangs out with her two Yorkies, does yoga, and loves other wellbeing activities.
Sheryl Kubiak started at UM-Dearborn in May of 2016 as the Executive Assistant to the Vice Chancellor of EMSL (Enrollment Management & Student Life). She continues to support Enrollment Management, as well as the Chancellor’s office. Sheryl is very active in the Staff Senate on the Dearborn campus. She just completed her term as the 2023/2024 Staff Senate Chair and is currently serving on the Staff Senate Council as the Parliamentarian, a surprisingly satisfying position. She spends as much time as possible with family, especially with her twin grandsons who are 13 and love being “teenagers”! She enjoys hiking, reading, crochet and walking her 2 little buddies, Jack and Harrison!