The programming options below were developed by staff members in Cornell Health's Skorton Center for Health Initiatives.
Faculty and Staff Trainings
As a Health Promoting Campus, we aim to foster a diverse, inclusive, and supportive environment where everyone can flourish. Skorton Center for Health Initiatives staff supports this vision by offering the following learning opportunities for staff and faculty.
To request a program or training from the Skorton Center, please complete this program request form.
Please note:
- We require a minimum of 2 weeks’ notice to accommodate requests.
- Programs are available to groups of 20 or more.
- Programs are available in-person or online, as noted. Hybrid training, where some participants are remote while others attend in person, is not available at this time.
Notice and Respond: Assisting Students in Distress
In-person workshop | 90 minutes
Two versions: (1) Staff and (2) Instructional Staff (for faculty, academic instructors, and graduate teaching assistants)
This interactive training helps Cornell faculty and staff recognize, respond to, and support students who are experiencing distress more effectively. Participants will watch a brief, realistic film scenario and engage in facilitated discussion to learn how to recognize and respond to signs of student distress at varying levels (concern, elevated, and emergency). We’ll also review key campus, local, and national mental health resources along with strategies for encouraging help-seeking behaviors. The training also covers when and how to ask directly about suicide and reinforces that doing so does not increase the risk of someone acting on suicidal thoughts.
Request a departmental or team training via the form above. Individuals and small groups are also welcome to join one of our regularly open scheduled sessions.
WISE: Teaching Practices that Support Well-being
In-person workshop | 60 minutes
Audience: Instructional Staff (faculty, academic instructors, and graduate teaching assistants)
This Well-being in Scholarly Environments (WISE) training provides faculty with an overview of concepts, approaches, and strategies that support student well-being in Cornell classrooms.
This program covers a brief snapshot of student mental health, explores the link between academic performance and wellbeing, and reviews concrete and research-based strategies that promote student well-being through teaching and advising practices. In this interactive training, participants will discover ways to promote a sense of belonging, cultivate a growth mindset, and boost interactivity in order to create a more positive learning environment for your diverse students. Learn how small shifts can have big impacts for student well-being and take away ideas that will help you support your students while streamlining your classroom logistics.
Intro to WISE: Well-Being in Scholarly Environments
In-person workshop | 20 minutes
Audience: Instructional Staff (faculty, academic instructors, and graduate teaching assistants)
This brief presentation introduces the WISE (Well-being in Scholarly Environments) program and highlights opportunities to support student well-being in Cornell classrooms. Designed with faculty and instructors in mind, this 20-minute session is a perfect addition to a department meeting.
Participants will gain an overview of WISE goals, available resources, and how the program can enhance the academic experience by fostering a healthier and more supportive scholarly environment.
Supporting Survivors
In-person workshop | 60 minutes
Audience: Instructional Staff (faculty, academic instructors, and graduate teaching assistants)
As faculty and instructors, you may be among the people that a student turns to after experiencing sexual or relationship violence or other harms. This workshop provides practical tools and guidance to help you navigate these important conversations with care and confidence.
In this workshop, you will learn how to recognize signs that a student may be impacted by sexual assault, dating/domestic violence, or stalking, and how to respond supportively when a student discloses an experience. The session emphasizes three core principles: listening with compassion, responding with empathy, and empowering the survivor to decide what feels right for them. We’ll also cover your role in connecting students to confidential support resources and creating a learning environment that contributes to a culture of care and respect. This training is designed to support your work in fostering student well-being while clarifying your responsibilities and boundaries in these sensitive situations.
Trauma-Informed Teaching
In-person workshop | 60 minutes
Audience: Instructional Staff (faculty, academic instructors, and graduate teaching assistants)
This training introduces trauma-informed teaching as a key component of fostering an equitable and supportive classroom. You’ll learn how trauma can impact learning and classroom dynamics, and explore practical strategies to create a safer and more equitable learning environment. The session covers general guidelines for trauma-informed teaching and provides flexible and compassionate teaching strategies. You’ll also learn about the SHARE Office and Victim Advocacy Program services available at Cornell and how to connect students to these confidential supports.
Recognizing and Responding to Hazing
In-person training | 60-90 minutes OR Online Canvas course | estimated time: 45 minutes
Audience: Staff and Faculty
Hazing is a form of interpersonal violence that can cause lasting harm to individuals and communities. This training will help staff and faculty advisors of student groups, teams, or organizations understand what hazing is, how to recognize signs of hazing, and what to do if they know or suspect a student is experiencing hazing. The training will also discuss ways to support student leaders in developing healthy group bonding activities without hazing.
Through real-world examples and guidance, participants will learn to identify various forms of hazing, understand its emotional and physical impact, how to recognize signs of hazing, and explore ways to support someone who has been hazed. The training also includes information about campus resources available to help, including reporting options.
Visit our WISE webpage for:
- Faculty training opportunities
- Our WISE Canvas course
- WISE strategies to support student well-being
Academic partnerships
The Skorton Center for Health Initiatives has partnered with Cornell faculty in the following ways. Please reach out to us to discuss your ideas for partnership sending us a message through our Contact Form.
- Delivering guest lectures in academic classes including:
- FGSS 3320: Gender and Psychopathology
- HADM 4300: Introduction to Wines
- ILROB 3730: Culture, Leadership, and Change
- NS 2060: Preparation for Engaged Learning in Global & Public Health Sciences
- Facilitating health workshops for students and Teaching Assistants:
- Examples include facilitating "Let's CU Flourish," "Notice & Respond: Friend 2 Friend," and "Intervene" in first-year college seminar courses including ENGRG 1050, ILR Colloquium, and all new first-year and transfer students in the Brooks School of Public Policy (see Student Engagement for program descriptions)
- Supporting academic class projects and/or co-teaching courses to serve the Cornell community, including partnering with:
- Dr. Mardelle Shepley and her class DEA 5304: Design Accountability to evaluate the new health center building
- Dr. Jeff Niederdeppe and his class COMM 3760: Planning Communication Campaigns to help students develop health campaign materials
- Dr. Amelia Safi and her class VTPEH 6184: Health Communication to help students develop audience analysis, health communication campaign products, and dissemination plans
- Dr. Gen Meredith and her class VTPEH 6182: Public Health Planning, serving as a community partner to a group of students as they design a public health response to address a defined need related to prevention, treatment, and/or care
- Dr. Sonja Skelly and her "Nature and Your Well-Being" Learning Where you Live course to teach about how connection with nature can nurture holistic well-being
- Dr. Sharon Sassler and her "Sexual Citizenship" Learning Where you Live course to explore the social ecosystem that makes sexual assault on college campuses a common experience