The Certified Digitally Well UniversityTM  Program is here!

The Digital Wellness Institute is proud to announce the launch of our Certified Workplace Program. The program recognizes institutions that are on the leading edge of student wellbeing - prioritizing the digital wellness of its student population by cultivating a positive digital culture on campus that promotes focus, mental health, and more meaningful relationships.

They are amongst a select but growing group of institutions that thoughtfully consider the ways in which students can maximize the benefits of technology while mitigating its potential affiliated harms.

Virginia Tech - the First Certified Digitally Well UniversityTM   in the World. 

Learn how Virginia Tech earned this recognition.

Interested in Becoming Certified?

Digital Wellness goes beyond traditional strategies for student wellbeing... Instead, it's a strategic and institutional imperative driving higher productivity, retention, and student mental health. 
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If your institution is on the forefront of student health and wellbeing and you are interested in better understanding the role that technology overuse plays in student burnout, sentiment, and mental health, then we want to speak with you!

Submit your information below to be contacted by a member of our team. 

Understand the Standards

A “Digitally Well University” is one that prioritizes student well-being by cultivating a positive digital culture on campus that promotes focus, improves mental health, and fosters meaningful relationships. They are amongst a select but growing group of institutions that thoughtfully consider the ways in which students can maximize the benefits of technology while mitigating its potential affiliated harms. Through evidence-based interventions, awareness building, assessment, and education, the campus offers resources to equip students, faculty, and staff to digitally flourish, thereby resulting in better engagement, student retention, and long-term (academic) success.
Digital Flourishing® is the unique approach of The Digital Wellness Institute. It refers to a mindful approach to digital technology usage that supports our thriving in different areas of life. This approach empowers us to take advantage of the benefits of technology while avoiding associated harms.

Rising Digitally Well Universities™

Rising Digitally Well Universities™ are recognized as those that are on the path to Certification. To receive recognition at the Rising level, they need to…

01

Appoint a Digital Wellness Champion on Campus

The university appoints a member of faculty or staff to serve as a digital wellness champion, responsible for leading any and all digital wellness initiatives on campus. Champions may be sourced from student engagement and campus life departments, counseling centers, health education & wellness, recreational sports, departments on campus, or faculty with a research focus in the area of wellbeing.

02

Offer Digital Wellness Education to Students

The university teaches students how to align their tech use with their goals. They may:
  • Collaborate with academic partners and student organizations to teach students how to balance the demands for tech use with self-regulation goals.

  • Make learning about digital wellness available to students during first year experience, orientation week, the first six-weeks programming, or as part of a students’ residence hall programming.

03

Measure Digital Flourishing of Students

The university measures the digital health and wellness of students, leveraging the Digital Flourishing assessment or comparable tool.

04

Serve on the Coalition for Collegiate Digital Wellness

The university identifies a representative to serve on the Coalition for Collegiate Digital Wellness, organized by the Digital Wellness Institute. The Coalition provides support, shares ideas, and stays up to date on current research and best practices.  

Certified Digitally Well UniversitiesTM

Our highest level of recognition is reserved for those institutions that meet all of the standards above, as well as the ones listed below. To receive recognition, they need to:

05

Appoint a Faculty / Staff to Oversee Digital Wellness on Campus

Certified universities appoint faculty / staff whose job responsibility includes (or is solely dedicated to) improving digital wellness on campus. They may oversee the education, assessment, and awareness campaigns that are spread on campus and provide oversight for student organizations and ambassadors working on the topic.

06

Integrate Digital Wellness Awareness into the Classroom

Certified universities partner with academic departments to provide messaging about best practices for tech use in the classroom to share with their students. This may include:

  • PSA's reinforcing positive tech-usage habits in the classroom through slides, syllabi, screensavers, etc. 
  • Tech-free policies posted in course syllabi that promote focus and eliminate digital distraction during the classroom.

07

Promote Digital Wellness Throughout the Campus Environment

Certified universities partner with student affairs divisions to promote digital wellbeing in common spaces. For example, offering…

  • Signs & posters in public places throughout campus  (residence halls, dining halls, student center) that encourage digital wellbeing.
  • Events created in partnership with student affairs organizations to bring attention to the topic in ways that are meaningful to your institution.

08

Develop Positive Digital Practices for Faculty

Certified universities educate faculty in the importance of establishing positive boundaries themselves, both at work and at home. They are given permission to “disconnect” on nights and weekends from head faculty, and their administration has taken steps to reduce the impacts of their digital overwhelm in a meaningful way. Examples include…

  • Establishing a communication & mindful experience charter
  • Providing best practices for distraction free work sessions

09

Establish Public Spaces that Promote Digital Wellness

Certified universities identify tech-free play spaces for the campus community. Host totally offline experiences that encourage students to disconnect in order to reconnect. They ensure that such experiences are accessible to all students without cover charge or financial barriers of any type. 
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