EducationDynamics' Health and Wellness Pilot Program Increases Engagement and Impact Among St. Edward's University Students

HOBOKEN, NJ--(Marketwire - November 10, 2009) - A pilot of a Student Health and Wellness Program developed by EducationDynamics (http://www.educationdynamics.com) and implemented at St. Edward's University, revealed strong impact and high student interest among students for online, interactive health and wellness content. Between January and May 2009, St. Edward's students were invited to take advantage of information about physical and mental health issues that impact their academic performance and quality of life, resulting in a 43 percent campus engagement rate.

Customized specifically for St. Edward's, a private, Catholic liberal arts university located in Austin, Texas, the "Hilltopper HealthQuest" health and wellness program incorporated six interactive online modules, offering information and resources in the following areas:

1. Maintaining positive relationships

2. Improving mood and self-esteem

3. Managing stress and anxiety

4. Addressing eating and body issues

5. Coping with trauma

6. Cultivating a healthy lifestyle

The content engaged students through quizzes and self-tests, providing fun and informative tips on subjects such as "Making Friends: Where to Start?" "Am I Just in a Funk or Do I Need Help?" and "Will I Ever Be Happy with My Body?" The goal was not to diagnose or offer medical advice but to provide preventative health information, resources and referrals to campus support services for further evaluation if necessary.

"Too often, students do not know where or how to seek help for physical and mental health issues," says Dr. Adam B. Troy, director of research at EducationDynamics. "Furthermore, most students experiencing distress do not seek help due to stigma or lack of awareness of campus resources. When schools recognize and proactively address these stumbling blocks as St. Edward's did, they improve both the lives of students and the overall health of the institution."

Program evaluation results indicated that students increased knowledge of relationship skills, stress and anxiety management, healthy lifestyle skills, and enhanced mood and self-esteem. Additionally, 80 percent of users reported finding the content enjoyable and helpful and more than 89 percent were likely to recommend the program to their friends.

"St. Edward's is committed to educating and cultivating the whole person," says Dr. Sarah H. Porter, staff psychologist and Wellness & Outreach Services program director. "A deliberate focus on the health and wellness of our students is part of that commitment."

The Hilltopper HealthQuest program was marketed to the school's 4,900 undergraduate and graduate students using a variety of channels, including an e-messaging campaign incorporating design elements that branded the program with the look and feel of St. Edward's; stories in student newsletters; referral cards distributed by health and counseling services staff; giveaways at all outreach programs; and monthly peer health education events showcasing each module.

EducationDynamics' Student Health and Wellness Suite offers three programs to help schools enhance the health and safety of their students, which include Student HealthQuest to promote physical and psychological health and wellness, an AlcoholFocus to educate students about the consequences of excessive drinking, and eScreening to assess overall student wellness and increase highly qualified traffic to key support services on campus. For more information about EducationDynamics' Student Health and Wellness Suite, please visit http://www.educationdynamics.com/services/enrollment-retention/student-wellness/ or contact Yancy Oshita at 201.377.3302.

About EducationDynamics

EducationDynamics, a portfolio company of Halyard Capital, is higher education's leading marketing services company dedicated to helping institutions find, enroll and retain students. Its content-rich and highly visible education websites, including EarnMyDegree.com, eLearners.com, GradSchools.com, StudyAbroad.com, and its more than 50 special interest microsites, make EducationDynamics the premier provider of qualified prospective students for colleges and universities. In addition, the company offers a full suite of Web-delivered services proven to drive enrollment growth and reduce student attrition. Through its Market Research and Advisory Services division, the company brings a decade of proprietary research, unparalleled market and student intelligence, and best practice insights to its clients. For more information, visit http://www.educationdynamics.com.