Raul’s Report: Be well

Photo courtesy of University Communications

Advice for students at CU Denver

I don’t know about you, but the first few weeks of school are always a whirlwind for me. Incoming students, returning students, the Block Party—my head’s still spinning.

Quick introduction for those of you who haven’t met me yet: My name’s Raul. I’m a Vice Chancellor and my team includes dozens of student affairs professionals. They lead areas dedicated to student development including Student Life, the Dean of Students Office, Veteran and Military Student Services, Disability Resources & Services, Campus Village Residence Hall, and Wellness & Recreation Services.

Wellness & Recreation Services is housed in the brand new Lola & Rob Salazar Student Wellness Center. Have you been in yet? It’s amazing. Just what our student leaders had in mind when they dreamed up the project several years ago. The center goes far beyond fitness. Its services are built on Seven Dimensions of Wellness: physical, spiritual, emotional, social, environmental, financial, and creative.

Believe me, our new wellness center has something for everyone—even me! Next time you’re in, look for me and come up and introduce yourself. I’ll be the “mature” guy getting after it, and I may even ask to join your pickup basketball game. Believe it or not, I actually used to have a pretty good jump shot back in the day.

You won’t see me on the rock wall nor in the pool. But, you will see me regularly. The wellness piece of my life is one I’d neglected for a quite a while, and now’s the perfect time for me to renew my focus and make a commitment.

I think you’ll find, as I did, that the center is much more than a building. It’s a place that fosters community. It’s a place where friendships grow and all of us, especially students, can feel connected and explore every facet of what wellness means.

I can’t wait to see you at the Lola & Rob Salazar Student Wellness Center!

Vice Chancellor Raul Cardenas, PhD, is devoted to student success, enjoys sharing a good laugh, loves commencement and leads a staff committed to providing the best student experience possible. Raul invites students to schedule a conversation with him. Email Bonnie.Hixson@ucdenver.edu for an appointment.