Enhancing Mindfulness and Well-Being in Higher Education

Area of Science:

• Higher Education
• Mindfulness Studies
• Organizational Psychology

Background:

• The establishment of dedicated centers for mindfulness and well-being in higher education is a growing trend.
• Universities are increasingly focused on enhancing the overall well-being of their campus communities.
• Existing well-being models provide a foundation but may require adaptation for specific institutional contexts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline the process and key components in establishing the Pruitt Center for Mindfulness and Well-Being at the University of Wisconsin-Superior.
• To introduce and explain the PERMANENT Model of Well-Being, including its domains, rationale, and learning process.
• To provide a comparative analysis of the PERMANENT Model with the PERMA Model and the Universidad Tecmilenio Well-being in Happiness Ecosystem.

Main Methods:

• Descriptive account of the historical steps and strategic planning involved in center establishment.
• Development and articulation of the PERMANENT Model of Well-Being, emphasizing Present Moment Awareness.
• Comparative analysis of well-being models, examining similarities and differences.

Main Results:

• Successful establishment of the Pruitt Center, including its services, programs, and achieved impacts.
• Detailed description of the PERMANENT Model's acronym, domains, community integration, and iterative learning process (learn, experience, reflect, repeat).
• Identification of commonalities and distinctions between the PERMANENT Model and other established well-being frameworks.

Conclusions:

• The experiences and lessons learned in establishing the Pruitt Center offer valuable insights for other higher education institutions.
• The PERMANENT Model provides a comprehensive framework for fostering long-lasting well-being, grounded in mindfulness and supported by research.
• The iterative learning process within the PERMANENT Model underscores the effort and practice required for sustained well-being development.