By Will Gilson, Currier Times Staff///

Recently, Curry’s new Wellness Coordinator Elizabeth Helmreich has joined the Division of Student Affairs with the goal of educating students about using wellness to encourage healthier, happier lives.

“When I was on campus and meeting everyone, everyone was so kind,” Helmreich said. “From the student interviewers, to the folks here, and Student Affairs, everybody was wonderful.”

Helmreich’s background in Public Health started from her interest in the broadness of it.

“I love that when you’re using a public health perspective, you’re kind of looking at things from a higher level,” Helmreich said. “Everything has a connection to Public Health.”

Helmreich, who started in August, says she enjoys the perspective Curry has on wellness.

“I liked the kind of holistic take on wellness that Curry was trying to bring in with this kind of Wellness Coordinator position,” Helmreich said. “Really kind of a broad perspective about what wellness means.”

Helmreich mentions that while her plans for wellness at Curry going forward are still up in the air, the goal is to promote student support.

“I think that’s something we’re still trying to figure out,” Helmreich said. “How can we make sure people that are having experiences that make them feel like their college is supportive?”

Some of her work so far has ranged from educating the Curry community to getting to know students.

“Professors kind of bringing me into their classrooms to present on Health and Wellness topics,” Helmreich said. “Doing kind of one-on-one chats with students to talk about health and wellness goals and ways that we can work together to try to achieve some of those really tangible health behavior changes.”

In addition to education, Helmreich has many events planned during this upcoming year. One she recently hosted happened on October 17th, called the “Pleasure Series,” which focused on sexual health.

“We’re starting with an introduction to pleasure, so what is pleasure holistically but also what is sexual pleasure,” Helmreich said. “How can learning about these things enable us to have safer, healthier, and more enjoyable sexual and interpersonal experiences.”

Students can reach her at her office on the first floor of the 1016 building, book an appointment through her email elizabeth.helmreich@curry.edu, or call 617-333-2902.