Center for Health and Wellness

The center’s medical, counseling, sports medicine, and health education staff are available free of charge to help students with physical, emotional, or interpersonal issues. Collectively these teams engaged in more than 3,000 student interactions in AY 25/26, serving more than 80% of students in the process. 

Academic Year 25/26 Highlights

Culturally Competent and Equity-Focused Care

For the third year in a row, the Center for Health and Wellness was recognized for our culturally competent and equity-focused care by our professional development partner Violet. Violet provides the Center for Health and Wellness with insight into our team’s readiness to deliver person-centered care along with the tools to support ongoing improvement to ensure that our care fits every patient. By using a combination of data sources including lived and clinical experiences, Violet benchmarks Center staff against others in their fields/licensure types and awards badges on a spectrum from awareness to excellence. In 2024, the Center for Health and Wellness at Middlebury first earned the Violet Verified Inclusive Organization distinction. Violet awards the Verified Inclusive Organization designation to organizations that exceed industry standards for cultural competence and inclusivity.  

Battell Park Project

Phase I of the new Battell Park was completed this year. The park is the first intentionally designed student-led park space on campus, conceived by Mica Bodkins ’26, and created to support play, relaxation, and connection. Funded through the Mental Health Programming Endowment, the project has been stewarded collaboratively by the Center for Health and Wellness, Facilities Services, and students.

Planning is now underway for Phase II. In partnership with the Makerspace, members of the Class of 2026 designed a covered pavilion that will provide a flexible space for informal gatherings, performances, and small classes. Construction drawings are being finalized this summer, enabling the permitting process to begin in FY27.

CHW and the Strategic Plan

President Baucom identifies excellence and joy as guiding principles of Middlebury’s recently completed strategic plan, and the CHW highlights exemplify these principles.

Excellence in health care requires that care be accessible, culturally responsive, and inclusive of all members of the community. CHW’s recognition by Violet reflects our ongoing commitment to meeting that standard.

Joy, too, plays an important role in student well-being. As President Baucom notes, “…is not a word that shows up in most higher education strategic plans. But it should. For our students, college happens once, in the height of their youth. It should be a joy-filled time.” Battell Park was envisioned and designed as a space that fosters moments of connection, rest, and simple joy. CHW is proud to have contributed to bringing this community asset to life.