Ethos of Care

This project advances a campus-wide “Ethos of Care” initiative designed to embed connection, wellbeing, and collaboration into the fabric of the university experience. Building on research-backed frameworks, the project introduces a reimagined engagement model that includes a 2-day immersive convening supported by 8 weeks of guided pre-work for staff, faculty, and institutional leaders.

The experience is designed to be both reflective and actionable to create space for participants to engage deeply with care-centered practices while building shared language and strategies for institutional change. A complementary series of short-form, progressive videos extends the reach of the program, offering accessible “Tidbits of Care” that introduce concepts such as Art Care, Community Care, Structural Care, and Curriculum Care. Together, these elements create a scalable, human-centered approach that promotes calm, connection, and sustainable practices to prevent burnout while strengthening institutional culture.

The Problem: Higher education systems often prioritize outcomes over people, leading to fragmented support, limited collaboration, and missed opportunities to fully engage students and professionals. Without intentional structures that center care, institutions struggle to create environments where individuals can thrive and contribute meaningfully.

The Innovation: This project reimagines institutional culture by embedding an “Ethos of Care” into the academic experience. By adapting existing research-backed frameworks into scalable training, workshops, and collaborative models, it creates actionable pathways for individuals and institutions to prioritize care as a driver of innovation and success.