Employee Well-being Spotlights
Embodying Well-Being at Work: Featured Stories
Theresa Hernandez
Director, Crawford Family WHOLE Student-Athlete™ Program
Professor, Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, CU Boulder
As someone who has dedicated her career to advancing health, wellness and human performance, Theresa Hernandez embodies well-being at work and at home. Since arriving on campus in 1990 as an Assistant Professor, she shapes a culture in which wellness is woven into the everyday experiences of her students and colleagues through her leadership, research and mentorship.
For Theresa, workplace well-being means being part of a community with shared values where people feel a sense of belonging, connectedness and shared purpose. Hernandez says it’s an environment where “individuals can grow, feel supported and work on their own health and wellness. It’s also a place where health and wellness tools are accessible and utilized—like the many offerings we have here at CU Boulder.”
Hernandez approaches well-being as both a personal commitment and a professional responsibility.
“By keeping my sights on my own health and wellness, as well as supporting, mentoring, and creating opportunities for our Student-Athletes and Students,” she explains how she works to build community among those she collaborates with, making sure health and wellness are part of the conversation and part of our actions.
Her contributions extend into research and innovation. She studies how to create and sustain health and wellness, identifying barriers and solutions, and then disseminates these evidence-based practices broadly to increase accessibility and utilization at CU and within the broader community.
Some of the programs and services she has helped create and lead on campus include:
- ITEAplus.com – an evidence-based self-care website offering individualized training and education in acupressure that is free for all users
- Be Well in the College of Arts & Sciences – a comprehensive initiative promoting well-being among students, faculty, and staff
- The Crawford Family WHOLE Student-Athlete™ Program in Athletics – a holistic model designed to support and optimize the health, wellness and performance of CU Boulder Student-Athletes throughout their college experience and beyond
Hernandez tries to “embody well-being as a core value, imbuing her actions on a daily basis.”
“Look for and take advantage of the many health and wellness offerings available to us at CU,” Hernandez encourages. “And remember to go outside and walk on our beautiful campus. Being in nature and among our students is a great reminder of why we are here and how we contribute.”
Joshua Galloway
Bookstore Distribution Center Manager
Business, Finance & Infrastructure (BFI), CU Boulder
As a leader who prioritizes people, connection and community, Joshua Galloway has brought warmth and intention to his work at CU Boulder since arriving on campus two and half years ago. Through cross-campus collaboration and a deep belief in supporting others, Galloway helps foster a workplace where employees feel valued and empowered.
“For me, workplace well-being means taking care of the people around me,” he says. It’s “giving others the opportunity to shape their work environment to reflect their own ideals and making everyone feel like family.” Galloway feels it means ensuring each day is uplifting and that coming to CU is already being where you want to be.
Galloway believes well-being thrives through strong partnerships and shared effort.
“I promote well-being for myself, my colleagues and my community by building collaborative groups across campus to promote what CU has to offer,” he explains. Galloway credits bookstore director Jessica Carlsen for allowing him to champion health for the BFI team through a monthly wellness-focused newsletter, and he highlights how Jess Morris, program director of WorkWell, plays a crucial role in creating programs he encourages his team to engage in.
Relationships with Molly Berry and Becca Crosby in HR help him spread these wellness initiatives even further.
“Our communal health affects everyone, and it takes a village to support a village,” he says.
“Slow down, step back, dig into and utilize your benefits,” Galloway advises. “We work for a company that truly cares for its employees. Coming from the public sector, I know what it feels like to fight for a sick day without feeling like I committed a crime for not coming to work. (At CU) the benefits are already yours, just reach out and grab them.”