Employee Wellness at NAU

Wellness Programs

Aerobic Winter Challenge

We’re excited to have nearly 200 NAU employees across 25 teams participating in this year’s challenge!

For more information visit AWC Program website, or email ask-eaw@nau.edu.

Tri-University Challenge

Join the NAU vs. ASU vs. UA Employee Movement Challenge, November 4–17! Help NAU claim the highest average movement count while competing for up to 2,250 HIP points. Let’s show our Lumberjack spirit and endurance!

Learn more about our Health Impact Program

Kindness Rocks!

When:  Friday, November 13, noon-1:00 p.m.

Where: Cline Library MakerLab Room #180

Come and paint a word of encouragement, an uplifting picture, or something silly to share a smile on a rock. After creating your rock masterpiece, you can hide your gem of kindness in plain sight to spread a little light and love around our campus community. Bring a rock of your own or use one of ours, we’ll have plenty!

To register: ask-eaw@nau.edu

Network NAU: Self-Care for Helpers

When:  Tuesday, November 17th, noon-1:00 p.m.

Facilitator: Mike Bouck, LCSW

Join Employee Assistance & Wellness and Staff Advisory Council for a relaxed, interactive lunch hour about the barriers that hold us back from reaching out. We’ll talk about empathy vs. compassion, the fear of being a burden, imposter syndrome, and how culture shapes the way we give and receive support. Enjoy your lunch on this teams call and bring your phone for some fun live polls (yes, there will be cats). You’ll leave with practical ways to ask for support and to make it easier for others to ask you.

Join via Teams:
Network NAU Teams link

Meeting ID: 223 219 930 784 085
Passcode: yG9dC9DD

November is Diabetes Awareness Month

Diabetes is one of the fastest-growing public health concerns in the U.S. Join this wellness webinar to learn about diabetes risk factors, blood glucose levels, diagnosis and treatment, along with the latest research and information to help you better understand diabetes.

When: Wednesday, November 18, 2026, noon–1 p.m.

Register: Diabetes Webinar

Emotional Maturity: Staying Grounded Around People Who Trigger You

When:  Thursday, November 19th, noon-1:30 p.m.

Where: Teams

Facilitator: Shawnee McDowell, LCSW and Mike Bouck, LCSW, EAW Counselors

Do you find it difficult to stay centered around certain people? Some relationships can leave us feeling frustrated, anxious, defensive, or emotionally drained. Drawing on concepts from Recovering from Emotionally Immature Parents by Lindsay Gibson, this workshop explores why certain interactions have such a powerful impact and how understanding emotional maturity can help us respond more effectively.

Participants will learn to recognize common emotional triggers, develop realistic expectations of themselves and others, and practice strategies for maintaining emotional balance during challenging interactions. The workshop emphasizes self-awareness, healthy boundaries, and emotional regulation as practical tools for staying grounded, reducing reactivity, and approaching difficult relationships with a greater confidence and clarity.  All are welcome.

To register: ask-eaw@nau.edu

Grief During the Holidays

When: Tuesday, December 8, 2026, noon–1 p.m.

Facilitator: Shawnee McDowell, LCSW, Certified Advanced Grief Counseling Specialist (CAGCS)

Wondering how you will survive the upcoming winter holidays? Are you dreading these times, knowing that so many things have changed?

This workshop is for people grieving the loss of a loved one or loved ones. We will talk about how to deal with the many emotions you might face during the holidays, helpful tips for surviving social events, and discovering hope for your future.

Register: ask-eaw@nau.edu

Support and Community Groups

NAU Alliance for Neurodivergent Faculty and Staff 

When:  Wednesday, November 18, 12:30-1:30 p.m. – Autism and ADHD: Synergies and Differences

Where: Discord

Facilitators: Heather Nash, EAW Director; Shelby Rinke, Assistant Professor of Practice; and Landi Morris, Assistant Professor of Accounting (by Discord)

The Alliance is a community for NAU faculty and staff who identify as neurodivergent, including people with medical or self-diagnoses and those exploring whether they may be part of the neurodivergent community. Meetings provide space to connect, share resources, and build community.

All forms of participation are welcome. Facilitators bring lived experience but do not provide formal therapeutic advice. Participation and meeting activity will remain private.

Register: Discord Registration

Cancer Support Group for NAU Employees (Teams)

When: The second Thursday of each month, September 10-December 10, 2026, noon-1 p.m.

Facilitators: Shawnee McDowell, LCSW, EAW Counselor, and Cyndy Soto-Lopez, PhD, EAW Psychologist

A cancer diagnosis can bring medical uncertainty, emotional strain, and lasting survivorship concerns. This group is intended to offer mutual support, strengthen coping skills, and foster resilience and post-traumatic growth for employees affected by cancer.

For information: Shawnee.McDowell@nau.edu or Cyndy.Soto-Lopez@nau.edu

Caregiving Support Group (Teams)

When: 1st Wednesday of the month, September 2-December 2, noon-1:00 p.m.

Facilitator: Cyndy Soto-Lopez, PhD, EAW Psychologist

With our aging population, there has been a rise in the number of individuals who are informal family caregivers, many of whom are also caring for children and/or managing their own chronic health conditions. Approximately 1 in 3 adults in the US is a family caregiver.

Caring for a family member with an injury, illness, or disability can be one of the most important and rewarding (and very challenging) roles a person can take on in their lifetime. The financial, physical, mental, and emotional demands of caregiving tasks may overwhelm even the most resilient of people. This group aims to provide support for the challenges caregivers face in managing stress associated with caregiving and barriers to self-care in striving to enhance quality of life for themselves and the loved ones for whom they provide care.

For information: Cyndy.Soto-Lopez@nau.edu

Weekly Drop-In Groups

Registration is required. All groups are open to NAU employees, and participants may join at any point unless otherwise noted.

Conflict Without Combat: Skills for Challenging Conversations (Teams)

When: Tuesdays, September 15-December 1, 2026, 8:30-9:00 a.m.

Led by: Cyndy Soto-Lopez, PhD, EAW Psychologist

This group is based on the book “The High-Conflict Couple: A Dialectical Behavior Therapy Guide to Finding Peace, Intimacy, and Validation” by Alan E. Fruzzetti (2006). Although the book was written for romantic relationships, this group will focus on any relationships where emotions, misunderstandings, and recurring conflict occur. Many workplace conflicts follow the same pattern Fruzzetti describes in couples: one person’s emotional reaction triggers another person’s defensive response, leading to escalation rather than resolution. Every week we will address not just communication skills but the emotional processes that drive conflict in the first place. Reading the book is not required although it might be helpful.

Register: ask-eaw@nau.edu

Midweek Mindfulness Meditation (Teams)

When: Wednesdays, September 2-November 18, 2026, 8:30-9 a.m.

Led by: Mike Bouck, LCSW, EAW Counselor and Trainer

“You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.” —Jon Kabat-Zinn

Work may not be slowing down, but we can change how we respond. Mindfulness helps build focus, self-awareness, emotional balance, resilience, and communication skills to better navigate stress and change.

Join our supportive community to practice simple, evidence-informed techniques for feeling more grounded and present. Drop in whenever you can—no experience required, and everyone is welcome.

Register: ask-eaw@nau.edu

Thursday Morning Happiness Club Explores Boundaries (Teams)

When: Thursdays, October 8-November 19, 8:30-9 a.m.

Led by: Heather Nash, PhD, EAW Director

Join Heather for a weekly conversation about setting and maintaining healthy boundaries. Sessions highlight relevant research and conclude with at least one strategy to apply during the coming week.

Register: ask-eaw@nau.edu

Register for EAW Programming

Free Employee Fitness 

Registration is required. Links open 48 hours before class. See instructions below.

Zumba at the Rec Center

When: Wednesdays, September 9-November 18, 2026, 12:05-12:55 p.m.

Location: Multi-Purpose Gym, Campus Recreation Center, Health & Learning Center

Led by: Alison Mercado, M.Ed., Academic Advisor Sr., and Zumba Instructor

Enjoy easy-to-follow dances set to Latin, pop, rock, hip-hop, and more. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes, bring water, and join us for a positive, no-pressure workout. All are welcome; join anytime.

Register: Zumba registration

Pilates at the Rec Center

When: Thursdays, September 10-November 12, 2026, 12:05-12:55 p.m.

Location: Campus Recreation Center, Wellness Suite

Led by: Angela Gaston, Pilates-certified instructor

A mat-based Pilates class designed to build mobility, strength, and core stability. All levels are welcome, with modifications and light equipment provided as needed. All are welcome; join anytime.

Register: Pilates registration

*Rec Center Registration Instructions

Registration is required. Links open 48 hours before class and close one minute before class. Classes are free to NAU employees; no credit card is required.

1. Open the registration link listed in the class description, up to 48 hours before class.
2. Select the day you want to attend, then choose Sign-In.
3. Select the yellow NAU User ID login button to open the NAU CAS login page.
4. After signing in, select the class and click Select.
5. Click Register at the bottom of the screen.
6. Click the large yellow Proceed to Checkout button.
7. Click the white Check Out box.
8. Select Check Out in the lower-right corner. Confirm that the message Your Order was processed successfully appears; a confirmation email with the class schedule will be sent to you.

Questions: fitness@nau.edu

Live Well Tip

This month we focus on Intellectual Wellness.

Intellectual wellness encourages curiosity for life and the mindset of lifelong learning. The intellectually well individual seeks out opportunities for mental stimulation, whether it is learning a new skill, following creative passions, or exploring opportunities for academic growth. Finding your purpose can improve motivation, resilience, and overall life satisfaction!

Purpose may look like: Volunteerism, family and relationships, mentorship, research and innovation, supporting students, or personal growth. Consider your purpose and values to support yourself and others during stressful holidays and end of semester times.