The Pruitt Center for Mindfulness and Well-Being at the University of Wisconsin–Superior is dedicated to advancing the science and practice of mindfulness and well-being. Through events, classes and workshops, the center offers resources to both the campus and the wider community. Its mission is to make mindfulness and well-being accessible by providing practical research-based tools to help individuals manage stress, relationships and daily life. A key focus is fostering a sense of community through partnerships across campus and the region.

Doug and Becky Pruitt first proposed the idea of a mindfulness and well-being center to Chancellor Renée Wachter and Vice Chancellor for Advancement Jeanne Thompson in 2014. Becky, a 1965 UW–Superior alumna, has long been involved in mindfulness and well-being initiatives. She serves on the advisory board of the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley and is affiliated with Arizona State University’s Center for Mindfulness, Compassion and Resilience.

In 2018, the Pruitts made the center a reality through a generous founding gift. “We see UW–Superior as a gem in the Northland and believe the center has unlimited potential to benefit students, faculty, staff and the wider community,” said Becky Pruitt. “We’ve been very impressed with the center’s leadership and fully support its vision of becoming a hub for the entire university system and beyond.”

Since its opening, the Pruitt Center has supported the mental health and well-being of thousands of students, employees and community members through workshops, trainings, mindfulness courses, guest speakers, yoga sessions and more.

“The field is growing so rapidly that we’re constantly considering where to go next and what to prioritize,” said Randy Barker, director of counseling services and well-being at UW–Superior.

Livewell Initiative Expands Under Pruitt Center

This spring, the Pruitt Center joined forces with LiveWell Northern WI to better serve community needs. Now known simply as LiveWell, the initiative is expanding its reach and impact under the Pruitt Center’s leadership.

“This partnership significantly increases our capacity to organize and participate in meaningful activities for both students and the community,” said Lynn Goerdt, social work professor and LiveWell coordinator. “While most events will still take place in the Superior area or on campus, we’re also growing our presence in Minnesota, where many of our students and staff live. Our missions align naturally – both focus on improving well-being.”

Since its launch in fall 2022, LiveWell has hosted more than 1,100 participants with 141 events such as yoga, pickleball, walks, art classes, beach sauna and cold plunge, upcycling workshops and many more. Led by UW–Superior faculty and staff and supported by partners such as the Miller-Dwan Foundation, Essentia Health St. Mary’s–Superior Hospital, the Superior Rotary and others, the program fosters community connection, joy and wellness.

LiveWell’s integration into the Pruitt Center opens new opportunities to promote well-being throughout the region. Key programs include #BetterTogether events that encourage connection, and Gatekeeper Trainings, which equip participants with suicide prevention and mental health awareness skills.

“I’m excited to work more closely with the Pruitt Center team and students on this important initiative,” Goerdt said. “Supporting well-being and building community feels more vital than ever. Our campus is a perfect incubator for innovation in this space.”

She added, “We’re deeply grateful to funders like the Miller-Dwan Foundation and to UW–Superior leadership for supporting this work. It’s a beautiful way to serve the region.”

National Recognition

This fall, the Pruitt Center was nationally recognized in “A Consensus Study Report” by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine.

“It was truly humbling to be recognized among other leading institutions,” said Barker. “It was a proud moment for our entire team and a meaningful validation of our work.”

In 2020, several UW–Superior faculty and staff co-authored “Enhancing Mindfulness and Well-Being in Higher Education,” an article detailing the development of the Pruitt Center. The article has been viewed more than 5,800 times – an impressive milestone for an academic publication.

“One of the highlights of my career was co-authoring that piece,” Barker said. “To see it being read, cited and used by others in higher education is incredibly rewarding. Often, you wonder if anyone beyond your family will read these kinds of articles. Knowing it’s making a real impact is a great feeling.”

Statewide Outreach and Collaboration

Throughout the fall and spring semesters, Barker and Harry Anderson, UW–Superior’s associate vice chancellor and dean of students, have traveled across the state to share well-being practices with other Universities of Wisconsin campuses.

“We’ve been visiting campuses to emphasize the importance of well-being in higher education, particularly for student affairs professionals and others who provide essential support to students,” said Barker. “Our goal is to offer them tools to care for themselves so they can better support others.”

Barker and Anderson hope that by sharing the Pruitt Center’s journey and successes, they can inspire similar initiatives across the university system.

They’ve also presented their work at national conferences, further spreading the center’s message.

“When we first opened the Pruitt Center, the terms ‘mindfulness’ and ‘well-being’ were still new in higher education,” said Barker. “Now, more and more universities across the U.S. are recognizing the value of this work for students, faculty and staff. It’s exciting to see the field continue to grow.”