What’s Happening in Wellbeing
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Announcing the 2025 Wellbeing Innovation Seed Grant Recipients
This fall, Boston University students submitted proposals for how BU could address wellbeing challenges across campus—from financial stress and social isolation to physical health and academic pressure. Through the Wellbeing Innovation Seed Grant, a partnership between BU Student Wellbeing and Innovate@BU, 14 students receive $500 and mentorship to launch their projects and create real change in how we support student wellbeing at BU.
“We are beyond excited to partner with Innovate@BU through this new format,” says Pedro Falci, Managing Director of BU Student Wellbeing. “It’s been wonderful to tap into students’ unique and novel ideas for growing a culture of wellbeing at BU.”
These student-led initiatives span all seven dimensions of the Wellbeing Framework and reflect the creativity, empathy, and problem-solving skills of the BU community.
Here are this year’s recipients:
Benjamin Brosnahan (CAS’27) | Automated Financial Wellness App
An automated financial-wellness app that uses AI to handle budgeting, bill payments, and savings for students while providing culturally responsive financial education. The mobile platform aims to reduce financial stress and close the wealth gap by automating money management rather than requiring students to prioritize it over their studies and other commitments.
Sophia Chen (SPH’27) | Social Prescribing AI Platform
An AI platform that matches BU students with peers, mentors, and groups based on shared interests and wellbeing needs to combat loneliness. She has a working prototype and plans to partner with the Student Activities Office to implement the “campus compass” system.
Tanya Chhabra (Questrom’26) | Chakra Sync
A program that teaches BU students to use ancient Indian chakra science—including breathwork, meditation, and visualization—to manage stress and enhance focus through energy alignment. The initiative offers workshops and micro-activation tools that address emotional, physical, spiritual, and intellectual wellbeing dimensions.
Emma Chuo (Questrom’29) | Maker Space Using Recycled Materials
A program to gather BU’s recycled materials and reprocess them into supplies, tools, games and crafts that better students’ holistic wellbeing, creating a more environmentally & emotionally sustainable college maker space.
Armon Farahani (CAS’28) | Write It Down BU
A journaling program that uses weekly prompts to help students connect personal wellbeing experiences to social justice and advocacy. Student reflections will be compiled into a report to identify barriers and inform campus-wide improvements in wellbeing access.
Leon Han (CAS’29) | Fitness for Students App
A student fitness tracking app that creates realistic workout plans tailored to individual goals, factoring in student schedules.
Siddhi Iyer (Questrom’28) | Letters of Light
A rotating pop-up wall where students can anonymously write and take uplifting notes to spread kindness and connection across campus. The initiative will be installed in locations like the GSU and Mugar Library to provide accessible emotional support through peer-to-peer encouragement.
Josh Jana (Questrom’27) | Midnight Mode
A system of visual prompts and QR-linked resources placed in dorm study areas to help students adopt healthier habits during late-night study sessions and exam periods. The project addresses gaps in awareness of existing wellbeing resources by delivering condensed guidance on sleep, nutrition, caffeine use, and stress management directly in the spaces where students study.
Mya Kelly (CAS’27) | Financial Wellness Hub Course
A Hub course focused on financial wellness that will teach students practical money management skills through case studies, games, and workshops. The psychology major aims to address the financial strain and mental health impacts that college students face due to education costs and student loans.
Sophia Lorenz (CAS’28) | Redefining Wellness
Campus-wide educational materials featuring interviews with disabled and chronically ill BU students about their personalized approaches to staying healthy. The project will distribute pamphlets and graphics through Student Health Services, BU Buses, and campus buildings, with plans to expand to Boston Medical Center and potentially Boston Children’s Hospital.
Sathvika Mallavarapu (Questrom’26) | $5 Meal Lab
A weekly peer-led cooking circle where students learn to make healthy meals using BU Food Pantry ingredients. The program addresses food insecurity by teaching students to transform available pantry staples into nutritious meals while building cooking confidence and community connections.
Thao Nguyen (Questrom’26) | Room Sync
RoomSync helps BU students manage shared households while building real community through a neighbor-to-neighbor food sharing network. Less waste, less stress, more connection.
Sophia Parma (CAS’28) | Wellbeing Circles: Unplug to Reconnect
A program offering weekly peer circles, kindness challenges, and creative activities to help BU students combat loneliness and build authentic friendships. The initiative addresses the gap between online connection and meaningful social bonds through low-pressure, action-oriented gatherings.
Parastoo Shafiei (CFA’29) | Active Meditation Through Music
A 10-minute musical ear training “game” that requires focused listening to displace anxious thoughts and prepare students for sleep. The program will be available as audio tracks, a potential mobile app, or through physical listening stations on campus.
Yurou Wang (CAS’29) | MoveMinute @ BU
MoveMinute @ BU is a QR code-based initiative that delivers 1-2 minute desk exercises to students in study spaces across campus. The project uses posters and digital guides to help students combat stiffness and fatigue during long study sessions with quick, accessible movement breaks
You’re Invited: Thanksgiving Meal for All Students
Don't have a meal plan or plans for Thanksgiving? Join our community for a traditional Thanksgiving meal with plenty of sweet goods, delicious side dishes, and oven-roasted delights, including great vegan options!
Thursday, November 27
11am - 3pm or 5pm - 8 pm
Marciano Commons.
You must register to attend by midnight 11/24.
You are welcome to bring a guest who is not a BU student; however, their cost will be $22 per person, payable at the door. If you have a meal plan and guest passes available, you can use those for your guest.
Executive Director of Student Wellbeing, Carrie Landa, notes, "It’s our hope that all BU students who remain in Boston for the Thanksgiving Break will join us at this all-university community meal. This event is a unique and wonderful opportunity to come together, relax around a table with friends, and pause to express gratitude. Plus, Dining Services does such an incredible job with the food - this meal is not to be missed!"
What’s Your Big Idea to Promote Students’ Social Wellbeing?
It all starts with an idea.
Do you have an innovative idea about how to support students' social wellbeing at BU?
In the spirit of Experience Innovation, Boston University School of Hospitality Administration is calling all innovators to submit ideas for the $50k Hospitality Innovation Competition or $20k Student Wellbeing Competition.
The Student Wellbeing Competition focuses on innovative ideas or initiatives that promote the social wellbeing of students at Boston University. The success of these ventures is assessed based on creativity, novelty, reach, and feasibility to implement.
1st prize – $10,000
2nd prize – $6,000
3rd prize – $4,000
Applications open December 5 and are due January 30, 2026. Learn more about deadlines and the application process.
Upcoming Info Sessions: November 6 and November 20. Register here.
The Student Wellbeing Competition has grown each year thanks to partnerships across campus, including funding provided by BU Student Wellbeing, College of Communication, Sargent College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences, School of Hospitality Administration, School of Social Work, and Wheelock College of Education & Human Development.
National BU-Led Study Finds College Student Mental Health Continues to Improve
BU public health researcher Sarah K. Lipson on decrease in students experiencing depression—and what you can do to support your own well-being
Student Wellbeing To Offer Two Hub Cocurriculars in Spring 2026
Student Wellbeing is excited to continue to partner with Undergraduate Affairs and the BU Hub to offer cocurricular experiences to undergraduate students. In Spring '26, Student Wellbeing will offer two Hub Cocurriculars. Registration starts October 31 for both:
Thriving Together
Need to fill a Hub Teamwork/ Collaboration unit? This exciting cocurricular examines what wellbeing looks like in your own life, as well as at BU. Explore wellbeing concepts through teamwork activities that culminate in a proposal to engage your peers. HUB CC 107: Thriving Together meets Wednesdays 2:30-4 pm.
Wellbeing for Leaders
Leaders have a unique role in their organizations and community. It’s critical that they know how to care for themselves as individuals in addition to caring for their organizations. This Hub cocurricular invites students to explore how to manage the demands of being a leader by learning skills and strategies they can use to promote their own wellbeing and simultaneously cultivate a culture of wellness within their organizations. Wellbeing for Leaders satisfies 1 Hub unit in “Teamwork/Collaboration” within the “Intellectual Toolkit” capacity. HUB CC 108: Wellbeing for Leaders meets Tuesdays, 3:30-4:45 pm.
“Check Hunger” to Support the BU Food Pantry – November 2025
Bring shelf stable food items to any BU women's or men's hockey home game in November and be entered to win an 8-person suite to the 2/14/26 men's home game against New Hampshire!
It is estimated that 30-50% of college students experience food insecurity. Last year at BU, we distributed over 18,000 pounds of food to our student community. Let's continue to work together this month to address food insecurity on campus.
We have the unique opportunity to provide assistance to those within our own community. Help BU Student Wellbeing “Check Hunger” by bringing non-perishable food items to any Terriers' home hockey games in November. Donations will be collected in the Agganis Arena lobby, then delivered to the BU Food Pantry, which is open to all BU students.
Bring your items to any of the following games:
- Friday 11/7 BU Men vs Merrimack (7 pm)
- Friday 11/14 BU Women vs BC (7 pm)
- Friday 11/21 BU Women vs Providence at Walter Brown Arena (6 pm)
- Saturday 11/22 BU Men vs Northeastern (7 pm)
Your donation will enter you to win a suite for 8 at the 2/14/26 men’s home game against New Hampshire. Parking and food included!
Learn more about the BU Food Pantry.
Items accepted at the Food Pantry are:
- Canned beans
- Canned soups
- Canned vegetables
- Pasta
- Mac and cheese
- Granola bars
- Oatmeal
- Boxed Cereal
- Dry Beans
- White or brown rice (1-2 pound bags)
- Canned tuna or chicken
- Peanut butter
- Jam/jelly
Thanks to partners BU Women's Hockey, BU Men's Hockey, BU Athletics and the Agganis Arena.
Warm Coat Drive Fall 2025
Have an extra coat that you can donate to a student-in-need? The annual Warm Coat Drive is an opportunity for all members of the BU community to donate gently worn or new coats that will be distributed to BU students in need. Any remaining coats will be donated to Goodwill Industries.
Coat Collection October 10-17.
Collection bin locations:
- BUMC (next to Chequers Café)
- Center for Career Development (6th floor of Yawkey Center for Student Services)
- FitRec Lobby
- George Sherman Union Lobby, next to piano
- GSDM, First Floor near elevators
- One Silber Way
- Questrom Lobby
If you are a student worried about affording a coat this winter and would like to inquire about receiving a free coat, please fill out the Coat Drive Interest Form below.
The Warm Coat Drive is part of a larger effort to ensure students’ most basic needs are met. Explore resources available to support core needs both on campus and in the local community including meals, clothing, and emergency needs.
This drive is a partnership between Center for Career Development, Newbury Center, Student Wellbeing, and Sustainability.
Coat Drive Interest Form
Thank you for your interest in receiving a warm coat this winter. We will email you an invitation to our coat pick up once details are available.
Student Wellbeing Partnering with Innovate@BU to Offer New Wellbeing Innovation Seed Grants
Are you ready to make an impact with funding from Student Wellbeing?
With funding and resources offered by BU Student Wellbeing and Innovate@BU, Wellbeing Innovation Seed Grants provide BU students with the necessary funding to kick-start a project or develop an intervention aimed at overcoming student wellbeing challenges.
The Wellbeing Innovation Seed Grant focuses on innovative ideas or initiatives that promote the holistic wellbeing of students at Boston University (BU). Student Wellbeing uses a framework of seven interconnected dimensions that supports holistic wellbeing, describing it as an active, lifelong process of learning what makes you feel balanced and well in all areas of your life.
Ideas are assessed based on innovation, reach, need and feasibility to implement.
Innovations from all fields of study and experience are welcome. Scalable projects for both BU and other institutions of higher learning are highly encouraged.
Applications available Wednesday, September 17.
Deadline for submissions is Sunday, November 2
Click here for more details such as selection criteria, project requirements and eligibility.
Colors + Connection – Bringing Students Together
Campus Colors & Connection is a one-hour workshop that brings people together with “connecting through colors” activities. We provide you with thought-provoking exercises that stimulate rich conversations and authentic engagement. Participants enjoy and grow their “creative intelligence” while exploring ways that color can express moods and emotions. The workshop promotes self-awareness, nurtures peer-to-peer communication and fosters a sense of belonging and connection.
Campus partners include Student Wellbeing, College of Fine Arts, FY101 and Newbury Center.
Workshops will be offered in a variety of FY101 sections as well as at the Newbury Center and CFA.
Background
To address the growing epidemic of loneliness and social isolation on college campuses across the country, the Foundation for Art & Healing (FAH), through our Campus UnLonely project, offers programs that harness the power of creative expression to engage, inspire, empower, and connect a diverse array of students and other communities within the campus environment.
Your Path to Financial Wellbeing & Independence
A collaboration between the Newbury Center, Student Wellbeing and Kindros, this workshop will focus specifically on habits and actions students can take to support their long term financial goals and wellbeing, such as managing credit scores, loans, financing and budgeting.
Join Stephen Martiros, the founder of Kindros, as we discuss financial literacy and how to build a financial picture that is in alignment with your goals and values.
Did you know all BU students have free access to Kindros, a secure money-management learning platform that provides people a safe place to learn how to make good financial decisions and take control of their financial lives?
Workshops offered:
- Thursday, September 25 | 5-6 pm | Hybrid - Newbury Center and online
- Tuesday, October 14 | 5-6 pm | Hybrid - Newbury Center and online