Health & Wellbeing

At Widener, we wholeheartedly celebrate and honor what makes each person unique, whether you're a student, faculty member, or staff member. Regardless of your race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual identity, socioeconomic status, ability, religion, or political affiliation, we warmly welcome you into our community with open arms and provide a nurturing environment.

Prepare to connect with inspiring peers and dedicated faculty who will not only challenge your perspectives but also ignite your personal growth, leaving you with treasured memories that will last a lifetime. Together, we will joyfully embrace our differences and embark on an incredible voyage of exploration, enlightenment, and self-discovery.

We understand the importance of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB), not only to our students but also to our entire community. That's why we are committed to providing you with access to a wide range of resources and comprehensive support across campus, ensuring that our environment remains inclusive and welcoming for all.

Learn more about DEIB at Widener

View DEIB Resource & Support

The PRIDE Mentoring Program provides ongoing support, mentoring, and guidance to new first-year and transfer students through individual and group workshops and personal development activities. The program supports each student’s needs and aspirations.

Learn more about PRIDE Mentoring on mySuccess

 Celebrating international students on campus is important because it fosters an environment that encourages cultural exchange and understanding. International students bring unique perspectives, experiences, and traditions to campus, which can enrich the educational experience of all students and promote cross-cultural understanding. In addition, celebrating international students helps to create a more diverse and inclusive campus community, where all students feel valued and supported regardless of their background or nationality.

Learn more about International Student Support

At Widener, we highly encourage our students to engage in the diverse range of clubs and organizations available on campus. Within the supportive environment of your chosen club or organization, you will discover a strong sense of camaraderie, forming lasting friendships and establishing a close-knit community.

Engaging in extracurricular activities will enable you to explore new interests, gain valuable experiences, and shape your identity within the larger campus community. Joining clubs and organizations enhances your college experience by promoting personal growth and contributing to your overall development as a well-rounded individual.

Explore our clubs & organizations 

Spiritual wellness varies for each individual, involving a sense of purpose, values alignment, community engagement, and connection to something greater. At Widener, we embrace diverse perspectives, fostering a supportive community where everyone belongs. Explore campus involvement, traditions, and support services to enhance your college experience. While not affiliated with one religion, we value all students' faith lives and support religious and spiritual organizations, worship, and events. Our Interfaith Sacred Space provides an inclusive environment for prayer, reflection, counseling, and activities.

Visit the Spiritual Wellness page on MySuccess for more guidance and resources tailored to your needs.

We provide confidential medical services, routine and diagnostic services, and referrals when needed for wellness, illness and injury. And it’s free to see one of our highly-qualified health care providers.

We offer a range of student health support & services, including:

• Evaluation and treatment of acute/chronic illnesses and injury
• Dispensing of medication, if indicated
• Immunizations, tuberculosis screening, and flu shots (only available during flu season)
• Laboratory tests
• Routine gynecological health care examinations, STI screenings with evaluation and treatment (if indicated), birth control starts/checks, emergency contraceptive pill
• Referrals to Counseling & Psychological Services and Disabilities Services, as needed
• Athletic pre-participation physicals for returning athletes
• First aid supplies, crutches, hot/cold packs
• Wound care, staple/suture removal

Student Health Requirements & Portal Information

Access required health and immunization information required for all new freshmen, international, transfer, and PsyD students.

Student Health Insurance

Information on health insurance requirements for undergraduate and graduate students, including military veterans.

Widener University is safe as it can be due to our expert campus safety staff, who work around the clock all year long. You can often find our staff patrolling the grounds in vehicles, on bikes, or on foot. As a department that genuinely cares about the well-being of the University community, you’ll find a state-of-the-art surveillance system that covers the campus and extends into the adjacent surrounding neighborhoods.

Learn more about campus safety

Access student resources for personal safety on mySuccess

Stay fit and active while you're here through our numerous recreational opportunities. Work out in the Pride Recreation Center, go for a run around our beautiful campus, take a fitness class, join a club or intramural squad, or play for the Pride on one of our 24 varsity teams.

Learn more about Athletics & Recreation

Explore Pride Recreation Center

Incidents of alleged discrimination, harassment, including Bias Incidents, and all forms of sexual misconduct including sexual assault, sexual harassment/discrimination, dating/domestic violence, stalking, and sexual exploitation will not be tolerated at Widener. 

Students, faculty, staff, and non-community members are encouraged to report if they believe they have been impacted by, witnessed, or have information about a potential violation of Widener University's Equal Opportunity, Harassment, and Nondiscrimination Policy.
 

Report It

All are welcome to donate as you are able and take what you need. The Pride Pantries are located in:

• Freedom Hall (2nd floor, directly above Freshens)
• Kirkbride (3rd floor lobby)
• Academic Center North (central student collaboration space)
• Quick Center (1st floor near the student lounge)
• Outside at the entry of the Wolfgram Library

At Widener, our commitment lies in empowering you to make the health-conscious choices you aspire to and providing support as you strive to lead a wholesome lifestyle.

We establish dining programs that promote convenient access to nourishing meals, alongside nutrition and wellness initiatives that cultivate a community deeply invested in health and well-being.

With our team of experienced chefs and dietitians, as well as our health experts who stay up-to-date with the latest scientific research and information from reputable organizations like the American Heart Association, we ensure that our practices are guided by the most current knowledge in the field.

Explore our dietary selections

Learn more about dining on camps 

Through our on-campus Counseling and Psychological Services, our staff of licensed clinicians, and counselors, will help you address personal, emotional, or social concerns. Confidential individual counseling and psychotherapy services are provided. 

At CAPS, our primary focus is on creating individually tailored treatment plans that promote the health and well-being of the whole student. We aim to foster a strong sense of belonging and enhance academic success. Our goal is to provide personalized care that addresses the unique needs of each student, helping them thrive both academically and emotionally.

In addition to individual therapy, CAPS offers a variety of services including: 

• Supervising trainees specializing in psychology or other mental health fields
• Daily walk-in hours 
• Crisis intervention  
• Workshops and mental health trainings 
• Consultation to faculty, staff, families, and outside care providers 

Learn more about CAPS

Schedule an appointment

Through our student-led Breathe campaign, you have direct access to a variety of resources to help you navigate through these tough moments. You can go on myWidener on your phone and type in “Breathe” and have access to the contact information for the suicide hotline, Counseling and Psychological Services, Campus Emergency Services (24/7), and more. All you have to do is click ‘call’ and you'll be connected right away. 

But remember, you're not alone in this journey. Many students face similar challenges and emotions. It's important to be gentle with yourself and prioritize your well-being. When the pressure starts to build, take a moment to breathe and remind yourself that you're doing the best you can. Don't hesitate to reach out for support when you need it.

View additional resources

Check Up from the Neck Up is an initiative developed to provide mental health and well-being support to student-athletes at Widener University. This program was specifically designed to offer mental health and well-being support to student-athletes enrolled at Widener University as a response to the collective commitment to working with Division III student-athletes and the growing nationwide need for mental health resources in the realm of sports.

The program concentrates on three key areas:

1. Transitioning out of sports when athletes leave college
2. Stress management
3. Self-care.  

Learn more about Check Up from the Neck Up

Widener University's partnership with The Jed Foundation (JED) will place greater emphasis on mental health at the university and solidify Widener’s commitment to this vital component of well-being. 

JED will work with the university to develop a customized strategic plan that will guide the university in implementing tools, strategies, and techniques designed to improve student mental health and increase the sense of belonging and connection at Widener. 

Learn more about our JED campus partnership

View additional JED resources