Health, Well-being & Safety Research

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Building awareness of HWS programs and services through CNAS

At UCR, supporting student success and well-being is our top priority. Through the collaborative efforts of Health, Wellbeing & Safety (HWS) and College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (CNAS), we are dedicated to increasing awareness and accessibility of vital campus resources. Our ongoing surveys and targeted programs help ensure that every student knows where to turn for support, whether for academic readiness, mental health, or basic needs, empowering them to thrive both in and out of the classroom.

PURPOSE
  • Improve students' knowledge and utilization of available HWS resources and
    services.
  • Identify levels of academic readiness of first-year CNAS students.
  • Track changes in students’ knowledge and awareness of HWS resources, student
    concerns, and academic readiness across different cohorts.
WHAT WE ARE DOING
  • Conducting regular surveys to assess student awareness, confidence, and usage of campus health and academic support services.
  • Delivering awareness workshops aimed at educating students about available HWS resources and how to access them.
  • Using data-driven insights to refine outreach strategies and improve the effectiveness of campus support programs.
WHY THIS PROJECT MATTERS
  • Addresses critical gaps in students’ knowledge and use of campus well-being and academic support services, directly impacting student success and retention.
  • Enhances first-year students' academic readiness by raising awareness and breaking barriers to resource access.
  • Helps the university tailor outreach and improve underutilized services, ensuring equitable support for diverse student needs.
 
KEY FINDINGS
  • Awareness of essential services (CARE, CAPS, SDRC) increased dramatically with significant declines in “never heard of” responses.
  • While awareness rose, utilization of some services (like Case Management) lagged, highlighting ongoing challenges in converting awareness into action.
  • The Well and SHS showed consistent growth in usage; confidence in knowing where to seek help increased significantly over the term.
METHODS
  • Data was collected via surveys at two points during the academic term: Week 1 and Week 10, for both 2023 and 2024 cohorts.
  • The survey measured student awareness, knowledge, and utilization of HWS services through three key statements: “never heard of,” “heard but not used,” and “used services".
  • Statistical analysis used proportion z-tests to compare changes in student responses between Week 1 and Week 10, determining significance at p < 0.05.
RECOMMENDATION
  • Continue and expand awareness workshops with targeted follow-ups, including personalized outreach to convert awareness into consistent service use.
  • Address barriers to accessing underutilized services through feedback and tailored interventions.
  • Integrate interactive sessions and practical demonstrations to actively engage students with HWS staff and resources, reinforcing connection and utilization.