Poster Presentation 6th World Congress on Positive Psychology 2019

GateWay Community College in Phoenix, AZ, has launched an initiative to become the first Well-Being Community College in the world. Positive education is additive and contributes to academic achievement, lowers stress levels and increases well-being all areas of life. GateWay’s comprehensive effort creates a whole-school system that promotes well-being in an integrated program targeted to staff, faculty, students, employers and community members. Our Five C’s model brings GateWay’s efforts together under one overarching commitment to positively impact the college and its broader community:

• Character: Developing strengths of character that enable us to be and do our best
• Connection: Fostering and maintaining close, positive relationships; a sense of belonging
• Care: Taking care of emotional, physical and environmental needs to cultivate conditions for flourishing
• Career: Making decisions that contribute both to career and life success
• Contribution: Being a part of something bigger than ourselves; finding a purpose for learning and for life

Anticipated outcomes of GateWay’s increased well-being include improving student achievement, increasing retention and graduation rates, elevated levels of effort and engagement for both students and employees, and a culture where all community members feel they matter.