Members of university human resources and ISU Dining attended an April 16 ceremony to accept the 2025 Healthiest State Annual Award. ISU Dining works closely with ISU WellBeing to provide healthy options for employees. Front row (l-r): Sue Tew-Warming, Heather Burke, Stephanie Downs. Back row (l-r): Ed Holland, Karen Rodekamp, Paige Ermer, Terrasa Mouw-Grewell, Keri Guy, Cris Broshar and Kristi Darr. Submitted photo.
When ISU WellBeing first launched the Adventure2 program in 2017, the variety of activities and resources it offered immediately appealed to Keith Kutz.
"It provided a number of things that I needed at that time and still do," said Kutz, senior award administrator with the office of sponsored programs administration. "There are things that let people who are participating lead healthier, less stressful lives."
Creating a culture where faculty and staff can lead healthy lifestyles is the mission of ISU WellBeing and a big reason Iowa State University was recognized as a 2025 Healthiest State Annual Award winner for a large workplace (video submitted with award application). The Healthiest State Initiative announced the winners during an April 16 ceremony in Ankeny.
"This award really recognizes the comprehensive approach we provide for employee wellness at Iowa State," said Stephanie Downs, ISU WellBeing coordinator. "We offer a variety of in-person and virtual classes to give faculty and staff flexibility and options for how they want to engage and participate."
In addition to Adventure2, ISU WellBeing provides programs for parenting success, financial well-being as well as the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which provides comprehensive support for employees and their families to help employees reach their full potential. Here are just a few examples of how employees use ISU WellBeing:
- Employees responding to President Wendy Wintersteen's "2 Million Steps Challenge" tracked 239,258,865 total steps.
- More than 300 staff members have taken mental health first aid classes, offered in partnership with ISU Extension and Outreach, EAP and Student Counseling.
- Of the employees participating in Mindful@Work, 100% believe it impacts their well-being.
One participant of ISU's mindfulness programs shared, "The expanded focus on health, well-being and mental resilience at ISU has changed my life. This has been a huge benefit to me."
University human resources vice president Kristi Darr said employees who participate in the wellness programming report improvements in work-life balance, managing stress/anxiety and self-care.
"ISU WellBeing continues to grow and evolve to help meet the needs of Iowa State employees," Darr said. "We know that prioritizing employee well-being improves overall job satisfaction and retention and contributes to a more positive and productive workplace."
The 2025 Healthiest State Annual Award also recognized Iowa State's efforts to promote:
- Healthy eating and nutrition through free nutrition education classes from ISU Extension and Outreach, nutrition counseling sessions conducted by a senior dietetic student in food science and human nutrition as well as mindful eating activities in Adventure2.
- Social and mental health with Therapy Assistance Online (TAO), an online library focused on life skills to overcome challenges.
- Financial wellness through the Enrich program, which is tailored to individual needs to help employees make informed decisions regarding personal finance.
Iowa State received a $1,000 prize to continue its work to improve employee well-being.
