Resilience 101
During these challenging times for higher ed, what are you doing to focus on the positive?
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In a world gone sideways—where the news feels surreal and civility is on life support—I’ve taken to baking bread. Not the Instagram-perfect kind with decorative flour stencils but real bread with flour, water, salt, and yeast. Sometimes sourdough. No filters, no spin. It’s therapy without the co-pay, a quiet rebellion against the noise.
Kneading dough is meditative, almost primal, a reminder that some things still follow a rhythm and make sense. While politicians shout and the culture frays, I’m watching crusts brown and steam rise. This isn’t escapism. It’s survival. Bread doesn’t lie. And in times like these, truth, even in the form of a warm loaf, is a rare and steady gift.
—Art Jipson, University of Dayton
In my office, I have a stack of unsolicited, handwritten thank-you notes from students (mostly recent graduates). When I’m feeling crummy about the state of the world or what I’m doing, I like to look at those to remind myself that I still have a meaningful impact on real people’s lives.
—Zachary del Rosario, Olin College of Engineering
I try to create space for joy, connection, and reflection in my writing classes. One of my favorite approaches is to use Ross Gay’s The Book of Delights as inspiration. I invite students to reflect on which of their favorite often-overlooked gestures—the fist pump, the peace sign, the quick ‘go ahead’ wave to another driver—they would contribute to what Gay calls the “encyclopedia of human gestures,” his tribute to small everyday acts of kindness and care.
—Kristin Robertson, Mercer University
I enjoy being part of the Oregon Tech Honors Program’s collaboration with Partners in Peace, a new affiliation between the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo and the National Collegiate Honors Council. Honors students are currently leading on-campus conversations for community members about the latest Nobel Peace Prize recipient, Nihon Hidankyo, the organization of atomic bomb survivors from Nagasaki and Hiroshima. These discussions help build empathy and promote peace.
—Christopher J. Syrnyk, Oregon Institute of Technology
At my institution, we’re embracing meditation as our compass for academic wellness. We’ve pioneered Mindful Minutes: every hour, a gentle chime reminds us to pause, breathe deeply, and briefly disconnect from digital clatter. Faculty and students can also partake in Silent Symposia, guided meditation sessions focused on themes like gratitude and resilience. We’ve also introduced Nature Narratives, in which meditation is paired with outdoor storytelling, and set up Zen Zones around campus. Featuring cozy cushions and ambient sounds, the Zen Zones offer tranquil spaces for reflection.
—Uttam Gaulee, Morgan State University
I’ve been leaning in to community, learning, and intentional rest as ways to stay grounded in the positive. Over the summer, I led a reading series for other educators in Dallas focused on the importance of rest—how rest can be a form of resistance, restoration, and reimagining. We explored how stepping away from grind culture allows us to reclaim our time, creativity, and well-being. These conversations have helped me focus on joy, reflection, and purpose during uncertain times. It’s a reminder that rest is not a luxury; it’s a necessity.
—Lance K. L. Bennett, The People’s Institute for the Common Good
I focus on the positive by turning my classroom into a launchpad for future scientists who will also be resilient, thoughtful leaders. In my cell biology and introduction to biology courses, students learn about more than mitosis or membrane transport. They practice critical thinking, collaboration, leadership, and the art of asking good questions. I intentionally build space for teamwork, problem solving, and communication—skills that extend far beyond the lab. In a time of uncertainty, empowering students with tools to thrive is my most creative act of hope.
—Rosalyn Lang, Johnson C. Smith University
Photo Collage: From top left, clockwise: Kristin Robertson with The Book of Delights, which she uses to inspire students; thank-you notes students sent to Zachary del Rosario; and loaves of bread baked by Art Jipson
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