Welcome to the monthly Health and Wellness newsletter for UWM employees that highlights various upcoming programs and services that are available to employees. We hope you take advantage of the many opportunities detailed below. Visit the Employee Wellness Website to learn about wellbeing resources and upcoming programs.
Wellness Programs and Resources
Become a UWM Wellness Ambassador
The UWM Wellness Committee is looking for additional Wellness Ambassadors to represent and support wellbeing within the following schools, colleges and programs. The committee meets every other month, and the time commitment is approximately 1-2 hours per month. Email teo@uwm.edu if interested.
- Architecture & Urban Planning
- School of Education
- Lubar School of Business
- MarComm and University Relations
- University Advancement
- Business and Finance
- Student Services
- Community Empowerment and Institutional Inclusivity
- Student Affairs
- Children’s Learning Center
- Dining and Retail Services
- Student Union
- University Housing
- Technology Integration
- Dean of Students
- Athletics
- Advocacy and Student Engagement
- Student Learning, Assessment, and Planning
New Employees
Benefit Review Sessions
New employees are encouraged to attend a benefit review session to learn about their comprehensive benefits package and how to enroll within the 30-day enrollment window. Visit the Benefits Reviews web page to learn more and register for upcoming sessions.
Workday Notifications
New Employees will receive an email and Workday notification starting June 1, 2026 reminding them about the importance of enrolling in benefits timely. The notifications will also be sent to the employee’s manager/supervisor to encourage employees to complete their benefit enrollments.
New Employee Orientation
New Employee Orientation provides new employees with a high-level introduction and overview of UWM, including the organizational mission, culture and 2030 strategic goals, key areas of focus, and efforts that are underway to create future growth and success. New employee orientation is required for all new employees within 90 days of their start date.
Take This Summer’s Challenges!
UWM Wellness is offering two challenges this summer, and we want you to accept. Here are the details:
Million Step Team Challenge
From June 15 to July 15, 2026, teams of 4-5 are challenged to complete one million steps. Don’t have a team? Sign-up anyways and we’ll assign you to one!
A team of 5 = ~6,600 steps per person each day to reach one million steps.
A team of 4 = ~8,300 steps per person each day to reach one million steps.
All who are participating need to fill out the registration form.
Million Step Team Challenge Registration
Prizes for all teams who complete the goal plus for the team with the most steps and team who finishes the goal first!
Million Step Team Challenge Flyer
Get Outdoors Summer Challenge
This summer we encourage you to go outside, reap nature’s benefits and win a cool prize! From June 21st to September 20th, complete at least 12 activities on the list and answer the final question. Turn in your tracking sheet to Tracy Oles at teo@uwm.edu and get a prize!
Get Outdoors Summer Challenge Tracking Sheet
Get Outdoors Summer Challenge Information Sheet
Wellbeing Webinars & Workshops (*UWM Specific)
| Program | Description | Date(s) | Time | Location | Registration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yoga & Pilates | Class is Pilates until June 29. | June 1 | 4:00 P.M. | Virtual | Register |
| Rooted in WI: Seasonal Produce – Cooking class | Cooking demos for seasonal produce and simple, plant forward meals. | June 1, 8, 15 & 22 | 12:00 P.M. | Virtual | Register |
| Midday Reset | Take 15 min. to calm your mind, release tension, and regain focus. | June 2, 10, 15 & 23 | Varies | Virtual | Register |
| Chair Fitness | Build strength and improve conditioning with the support of a stable chair. | June 3-24 | 4:30 P.M. | Virtual | Register |
| Walk and Roll Wednesdays | All levels and abilities welcome for a 30-min walk/roll around campus! | June 3 | 12:00 P.M. | Meet at Panther Statue | Register |
| Brain Booster Series | Explore ways to boost brain health through physical activity (6/3), creativity (6/10), nutrition (6/17) and reducing stress (6/24). | June 3, 10, 17 & 24 | 12:30 P.M. | Eng 206 | Register |
| Parenting your Teen: Career and Life goals | Gain the tools needed to engage in meaningful conversations about career and life goals with teens. | June 10 | 12:30 P.M. | Virtual | Register |
| Understanding Burnout | Learn to identify common signs and types of burnout plus effective solutions. | June 11 | 12:00 P.M. | Virtual | Register |
| Lunchtime Boost: Mindful Moments | This session offers a calm and welcoming space to slow down. | June 12 | 12:00 P.M. | Virtual | Register |
| Positive Self-Talk – Feeding the Right Wolf | Improve mental health, resilience, and relationships by nurturing positive self-talk. | June 19 | 12:00 P.M. | Virtual | Register |
Employees can participate in additional webinars/events that are offered this month and beyond. See the Universities of Wisconsin Webinars web page for webinar information and register via the links.
Universities of Wisconsin Webinars
Employees can also access recorded videos for Well Wisconsin on the web page below.
If you are unable to attend a fitness class, visit the on-demand library of recordings for recorded classes.
Earn Your $150 Well Wisconsin Incentive and Get Entered Into Prize Drawings
Well Wisconsin is offering several opportunities to win well-being prizes in 2026. Achieve any of the milestones below to be entered into a drawing to receive a prize!
- Take the Health Assessment before one of these dates: June 30 or September 15.
- Complete at least one coaching call or biometric screening before September 30.
- Register a new Well Wisconsin account by June 30.
Well Wisconsin Prize Opportunities
Engage in Wellbeing and Become a UWM Wellness Warrior
The UWM Wellbeing Warrior program is designed to reinforce motivation and consistency needed to achieve your wellbeing goals. How it works:
- From June 1 to December 31, 2026, complete and document 9 UWM specific wellbeing programs, challenges, and/or series on the Wellness Warrior card.
- Turn your tracking card into Tracy at teo@uwm.edu.
- Receive a prize!
UWM Health Coaching
Create healthy habits, empower inner potential, and accomplish your goals. Sessions are one-on-one and will focus on specific areas of wellbeing that are important to you. Schedule in-person or virtually with Tracy Oles, UWM Employee Wellbeing and Engagement Manager and certified health coach. See the flyer for more information and fill out the interest form to get started.
Blood Pressure Monitor Program
UWM Human Resources offers a home blood pressure monitor program for eligible employees. Employees who meet the following criteria are eligible to receive a free home blood pressure monitor:
- Have documentation of an elevated blood pressure: systolic over 120 and/or a diastolic over 80
- Diagnosis of prehypertension or Stage 1 hypertension
Contact Tracy Oles at teo@uwm.edu to verify eligibility and coordinate pick up in Engelmann Hall.
Blood Pressure Monitor Program Flyer
Well Wisconsin: Elevate Management Training Series
Empower your leaders to inspire healthier, more resilient teams. This quarterly series is designed to strengthen leadership skills and foster a culture of well-being in the workplace.
- Prioritizing Time to Promote Effectiveness, June 18
- Speaking Candidly with Your Team, September 24
- Fostering Resiliency to Prevent Burnout, November 18
See the flyer for more information and recordings of missed sessions.
Well Wisconsin: Elevate Management Training Series Flyer
Kaia Health
Living with pain can slow you down, keeping you from the people and activities you love the most. Well Wisconsin through Kaia Health provides free access to personalized therapy programs for back, shoulders, hips, knees, and more. Log in to your Well Wisconsin portal and locate “Benefits” at top of the page. The Kaia Health widget is housed within the Well Wisconsin portion of the “Benefits” page.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through Acentra Health
UWM’s Employee Assistance Program offers confidential counseling and support services to all employees including both short-term counseling and referrals for additional services. Acentra Health is free, confidential, and available 24/7.
Contact Acentra Health:
- 833-539-7285
- sowi.mylifeexpert.com (password: SOWI)
EAP Webinars
- Dealing with Parenting Your Teen: Career and Life Goals.
Additional Mental Health Resources
Employees enrolled in the State of Wisconsin Group Health insurance Plan have access to the following mental health resources through the Well Wisconsin Program/WebMD Wellness portal:
- Mental Health Coaching
- Togetherall, an online mental health community
- meQuilibrium, a stress and resiliency program
Well Wisconsin Mental Health Flyer
Financial Wellness Offerings
Multiple financial webinars are offered each month on a variety of topics. Below are examples of programs offered.
- Thriving in Retirement
- How to enroll in the WDC
See the Universities of Wisconsin Webinars web page for a full listing and to register.
Universities of Wisconsin Webinars
Campus Cares Wellness Wednesday Newsletter
Here is the Campus Cares Wellness Wednesday Newsletter content including wellbeing information, tips and recipes.
- Habit Stacking for Success
- 10 Tried-and-True Methods to Stay Off Your Phone
- Free Mental Health Resources in Milwaukee
- Summer Safety: Tips to Help Keep You Safe Wherever Your Fun Takes You
- Venezuelan Arepas
- Healthy S’mores Bars