Education
- Bachelor of Integrative Studies, Oakland University
- Focus area: Personal and Public Health
- Master of Public Health, Oakland University
- Focus area: Health Education and Health Promotion
Personal and/or Professional Interests
- Janelle is interested in many public health topics, including:
- Health education, health promotion, and research
- Global health, adolescent health, and women’s health
- Diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice
- Health education, health promotion, and research
- She is also passionate about supporting student development by:
- Fostering genuine relationships with all members of the campus community
- Prioritizing the well-being of students of color, international students, immigrant/refugee students, graduate students, first-generation students, etc.
- Redefining campus culture and embedding the eight dimensions of well-being into all aspects of higher education
- In her free time, Janelle enjoys several hobbies, including:
- Traveling and learning languages
- Taking art and fitness classes
- Cooking, baking, and trying new restaurants and cafes
Background and Experience
Prior to her role as an Advocate, Janelle was a Health Educator for Student Engagement & Academic Partnerships at Wolverine Wellness and led workshops about wellness topics based on the eight dimensions of the Model of Well-Being; managed the PaWWs and Relax therapy dog program; oversaw social media engagement and campaigns; and connected students with campus resources such as CAPS, University Health Service, the International Center, and more.
Janelle values developing personable and genuine relationships with all members of our campus community and recognizes the interconnectedness between students, staff, and faculty. She served as a co-facilitator of the Student Life New Staff Cohort to provide new professional staff with opportunities to connect with peers across campus and learn ways to support student well-being in their roles, and as a Welcome to Michigan Committee representative to provide students with tailored resources to ease their transition to campus as first-year or non-traditional students.
As a two-time, first-generation graduate with an immigrant/refugee background, Janelle especially prioritizes efforts around diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice. She has led programming tailored for marginalized student populations and co-facilitated internal culture change as a member of the IDI and Culture Work Committee. Her experiences working with individuals of all backgrounds provided her with the cultural competency and empathy to recognize wellness needs and successfully implement impactful initiatives to ensure that all members of our campus community are continuously supported and can holistically thrive.
Janelle’s commitment to student well-being stems from her belief that well-being is a collective effort that requires consistent and innovative collaboration to induce change at the individual, community, and systemic levels. Her interprofessional background, personable approach to wellness, and unwavering commitment to student well-being guides her in all she does, and she looks forward to supporting mental health and well-being as your advocate!
