Now Open: Center for Student Well-Being and Revamped Food Pantry Creates Foundation for Students to Thrive

University-News

Now Open: Center for Student Well-Being and Revamped Food Pantry Creates Foundation for Students to Thrive

SWAG视频 leaders are celebrating a one-stop-shop that provides essential needs to the campus community

January 30, 2025 | written by Sydney Kern

On the first floor of the University Center, University of Northern Colorado (SWAG视频) leaders celebrated the completion of two new resource spaces geared toward supporting students beyond their education. On Monday, Jan. 27, a grand opening for the Center for Student Well-Being (CSW) and expanded Bear Pantry took place, giving the campus community a first look at the site.

Now holding the title of director of the Center for Student Well-Being, Taylor Schiestel, 鈥�20, describes this next chapter as a university investment in hope and opportunity.

鈥淭his is more than just a building or even a program, it鈥檚 believing that every student deserves the chance to succeed no matter their circumstances,鈥� Schiestel said.

SWAG视频鈥檚 Division of Student Affairs created the CSW to provide students with individualized support to connect them with resources related to housing, food, utility assistance, medical and mental health care, health insurance, childcare, transportation, access to course materials, clothing and emergency financial support. It鈥檚 now located next to the expanded Bear Pantry, which provides food and essential hygiene items to students and employees facing insecurity.

Video snapshot of the grand opening:

鈥�We鈥檙e not just here to provide food, housing assistance or financial support; we鈥檙e here to rewrite the narrative. Seeking help isn鈥檛 a sign of weakness鈥攊t鈥檚 a sign of wisdom and strength,鈥� Schiestel said. "We鈥檙e here to normalize asking for support.鈥�

RELATED: Addressing Food Insecurity on Campus with Expanded Resources

Along with Schiestel, Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs Jenna Finley and President Andy Feinstein spoke about the program's success at the grand opening.

鈥�I cannot think of a better demonstration of our 鈥淪tudents First鈥� commitment than ensuring students receive individualized support in meeting their essential needs,鈥� Feinstein said. 鈥淲hether it is receiving assistance navigating financial challenges or having access to nutritious food, the resources available here mean students can maintain a focus on their educational experience.鈥�

Scroll through a photo gallery of the grand opening:

A worker inside the Bear Pantry giving a tour

Jenna Finley standing at a podium talking to a crowd

A crowd of people standing in front a Bear Pantry sign

Two people embracing in a hug

Taylor Schiestel talking into a microphone behind a podium

A crowd behind a giant ribbon

A student talking behind a podium with a big blue ribbon sitting in front of it

Three cookie sheets filled with cup cakes

A student talking to another student pointing at a clipboard

A line of people cutting a large blue ribbon

The outside sign of the Center for Student Well-Being

A navy apron that is signed by a bunch of people

An employee talking and pointing with her hands showing a tour

The hallway area of the Bear Pantry

Looking inside the glass of the Bear Pantry

Two men shaking hands with a third standing nearby

Fresh fruit on the shelves

Canned foods sitting on a shelf

A tour of the new facilities followed the speeches and ribbon cutting. Construction and launch of the new programs were made possible in part by a $310,000 grant from The Weld Trust, ongoing support from the Weld Food Bank and by donations from individual and corporate donors, along with a sizable investment into the project from SWAG视频.

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Ending her speech, Schiestel said, 鈥淟et鈥檚 continue to work together to ensure that no student at SWAG视频 has to choose between their education and their basic needs. Let鈥檚 eliminate stigma, inspire courage and show our students that it鈥檚 okay to lean on others. Because let鈥檚 face it 鈥� together, we are stronger."