Student Health Takes Center Stage at Penn Wellness Week 2025
From April 14 to 18, the University of Pennsylvania hosted its annual Wellness Week, a series of events aimed at promoting student health and well-being. The initiative was co-hosted by Wellness at Penn and the Penn Wellness Student Coalition (PWSC), marking the second year since the program resumed following the pandemic.
‘Wellness Week’ comprised various activities, including movie screenings, resource fairs, and keynote speakers to create an engaging atmosphere focused on holistic health.
Goals of Wellness Week
Mayokun Omitogun, the Events Chair for PWSC, expressed the intention behind the week’s planning. ‘Our main goal was to foster an environment on campus where students could engage in different events, whether it’s social activities, panels, or other events hosted by various clubs,’ she said. Omitogun highlighted that the programming was especially vital as students approach finals week.
Collaboration and Planning Efforts
The events for Wellness Week were facilitated through collaboration among multiple campus organizations, reinforcing the importance of community-driven health initiatives. Elizabeth Wang, PWSC Co-Chair, emphasized that the student-led nature of these initiatives plays a critical role in recognizing and celebrating wellness.
‘Wellness is completely student-driven — the PWSC acts as an umbrella organization for all wellness-related student groups on campus,’ stated Ashlee Halbritter, Executive Director of Student Health and Wellbeing.
Diverse Events for Comprehensive Wellness
Omitogun elaborated on the breadth of activities designed to appeal to a wide audience of students. ‘We included everything from financial wellness to mental health discussions, yoga sessions, coloring, and journaling,’ she shared. Popular events like tote bag screen printing received enthusiastic attendance, drawing students to take part.
Wang noted, ‘Our main events happen outside, allowing us to engage passersby,’ making it easier to attract students to participate during their busy schedules.
Looking Ahead
In the Fall 2025 semester, PWSC plans to arrange a Wellness Summit in collaboration with Wellness at Penn, alongside a poster sale on campus. Omitogun discussed the addition of new events in future Wellness Weeks, aiming to feature interviews with faculty about their engagement with wellness and mental health, adding a personal touch to the conversations. ‘Hopefully, we will be able to hear more from our professors and their perspectives,’ she concluded.
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