The College of Arts and Letters strives to be at the forefront of education in every aspect, and part of that is recognizing that there is much more to education than academics. In fall 2020, CAL proudly recognized Dr. Ritz as the first Director of Student Wellness. With this new role, CAL positions itself to better serve its students and actually implements the wellness aspect of academic success that so many other schools only preach.
Dr. Jon Ritz has long been involved with a CAL, working in the past as an instructor and advisor for the professional writing major. That familiarity with the program means that he understands the kind of work students are doing and the challenges that many face. Working as an advisor, Ritz said, is where he first realized the connection between emotions and academics.
Ritz is a certified counselor within MSU’s Counseling and Psychiatric Program. Half of his role is spent like many of the other counselors within CAPS, doing pre-screenings, individual sessions, and group counseling. However, Ritz works exclusively with students in CAL. Beyond his counseling work, he works more directly in the college to meet with faculty to promote standards of wellness and engages with students.
Working with an advisory committee composed of faculty with an interest in student wellness, Ritz’s proposal for a wellness program has been met with great support from Dean Christopher Long and the college as a whole. The program, whose main goal is to teach students sustainable practices for having a good life, sets CAL apart from every college and makes it a leader in this department.
“This role is so fulfilling,” Ritz said. “CAL has been supportive throughout the entire process, and we’re optimistic for the future as we grow and learn and engage more students.
One other aspect of the new program is hosting information sessions that center around skill-development for a variety of wellness-related topics. Most recently, Ritz hosted an event in partnership with CAPS about staying motivated during stressful times (a topic that couldn’t be anymore relevant!). The sessions are designed to be flexible based on who attends and what their needs are. The next session takes place on March 1 and will focus on self-care for caregivers. More details can be found at the bottom of this page.
For students who want to learn more about taking good care of themselves, Ritz will be teaching a 2-credit course through CAL beginning in fall 2021. The class will draw on positive psychology, focusing on relating to one’s own inner experience and cultivating one’s self-relationship. Anyone interested in living a happier, more fulfilling life can benefit from this.
“At the heart of these disciplines,” Ritz said, “is the question, how do we help others get the most out of life?” The majors housed in CAL require students to use their emotions and feelings to succeed, and not only does that require one to understand their emotions, but it also can at times be emotionally laborious. Having additional support to learn how to balance self-care and wellness with the taxing act of being culturally engaged is essential.
If you’re interested in counseling services, complete this form to schedule an initial interview. To schedule this interview with Jon Ritz, check the box for “Connect with the embedded therapist for the College of Arts & Letters” on the form.
If you have other questions related to mental health and wellness, feel free to contact Jon Ritz at ritz@msu.edu. You can also visit the CAL Director of Student Wellness website for more info.
Interested in attending the information session regarding self-care for caregivers? The event will be held over Zoom from 2-3 p.m. on Monday, March 1st. Find the link and additional information here.
