By Dr. Tina DeNeen, Associate Executive Director, Education and Member Development, AACRAO
In recent years, “wellness” and “well-being” have become ubiquitous in higher education conversations. They appear in strategic plans, student success initiatives, and professional development offerings. Yet, despite their frequent use, these terms are often treated as interchangeable when, in fact, they represent distinct but deeply interconnected concepts.
Understanding the difference is more than semantics. It shapes how institutions design policies, support their communities, and measure success. It also informs how associations like AACRAO contribute to a broader movement toward healthier, more sustainable higher education environments.
Defining the Difference: Wellness vs. Well-Being
Wellness is often understood as the active pursuit of healthy behaviors. It is individual-centered and action-oriented…what we do to improve or maintain our health. This includes choices like exercising, managing stress, eating well, or engaging in mindfulness practices.
Well-being, on the other hand, is broader and more holistic. It reflects the overall state of thriving, which encompasses physical, emotional, social, financial, and professional dimensions. Well-being is influenced not only by individual behaviors but also by the environments, systems, and structures in which people live and work.
In short:
Wellness is what we do.
Well-being is what we experience.
This distinction is especially important in higher education, where professionals often operate in high-pressure environments shaped by enrollment challenges, regulatory demands, evolving technologies, and shifting student needs. Focusing solely on wellness risks, placing responsibility on individuals without addressing the systemic factors that impact their well-being.
Why This Matters for AACRAO Professionals
AACRAO members are deeply embedded in the operational and strategic core of their institutions. Their work is essential, complex, and often invisible. While encouraging wellness practices (e.g., taking breaks, setting boundaries) is valuable, it is not sufficient. True well-being requires:
Workload and staffing models that are sustainable.
Clear policies and ethical frameworks that reduce ambiguity and stress.
Technology and systems that support, rather than hinder, efficiency.
Leadership cultures that prioritize transparency, inclusion, and trust.
Recognizing the distinction between wellness and well-being allows institutions to move from individual coping strategies to structural change.
AACRAO’s Role in the Interassociation Wellbeing Collaborative
AACRAO is proud to participate in the Interassociation Wellbeing Collaborative as a Tier Two participant, joining a growing coalition of higher education associations committed to advancing well-being across the profession.
The IWC represents a collective effort to align associations around a shared vision, one that prioritizes both individual experiences and the broader systems that shape them. Rather than working in isolation, participating organizations are collaborating to elevate well-being as a central component of higher education practice and leadership.
“At AACRAO, we understand that supporting our members means looking beyond individual resilience and examining the systems in which they operate. Our involvement in the Interassociation Wellbeing Collaborative allows us to partner across the higher education landscape to advance meaningful, sustainable change…ensuring that well-being is embedded into the fabric of our profession, not treated as an afterthought.” —Melanie Gottlieb, Executive Director, AACRAO
As part of this collaborative, AACRAO contributes to and benefits from a shared framework grounded in three primary areas of focus:
The IWC’s Calls to Action
1. Literacy
Build a common language and understanding of well-being that reflects both personal experiences and institutional contexts. This includes helping campus communities recognize that well-being is not peripheral, but essential to every role and function.
2. Research
Advance shared learning through coordinated data collection, benchmarking, and analysis. By strengthening the evidence base, institutions and associations can make more informed decisions and identify effective strategies for improving well-being.
3. A Shared Commitment
Participating associations agree to work collectively by:
Demonstrating cross-organizational collaboration that reduces silos.
Expanding the network by inviting additional associations into the work.
Contributing insights that reflect the experiences of their members.
Sharing resources and updates to support broader progress across the field.
What It Means to Be a Tier Two Participant
As a Tier Two participant, AACRAO plays an active and engaged role in the Collaborative while continuing to integrate well-being into our existing programs and priorities. This includes:
Amplifying insights and resources from the IWC to our members.
Incorporating well-being concepts into AACRAO’s professional development offerings.
Providing feedback grounded in the experiences of enrollment and academic services professionals.
Identifying opportunities to align well-being with AACRAO’s strategic priorities.
This level of participation ensures that AACRAO is both contributing to and learning from a broader movement while tailoring insights to the unique needs of our community.
Opportunities to Engage
AACRAO members are encouraged to explore and participate in several ongoing well-being initiatives connected to the Collaborative:
A dedicated YouTube channel, curated with support from ACUHO-I staff, features select sessions from Well-being Week as well as the webinars hosted so far this year. These resources offer practical insights and strategies that can be applied across institutional roles.
The U.S. Health Promoting Campuses Network Virtual Summit will take place on April 22 from 1–4 p.m. ET. All IWC member organizations, including AACRAO, are invited to attend at no cost. Register today.
These opportunities reflect the Collaborative’s commitment to making well-being resources accessible, actionable, and relevant to professionals across higher education.
Moving Forward: From Awareness to Action
Distinguishing between wellness and well-being is a critical first step—but it must lead to action.
- For individuals, this may mean continuing to prioritize wellness practices that support resilience and balance.
- For institutions, it requires examining policies, systems, and cultures that shape daily experiences.
- For associations like AACRAO, it means leveraging our platforms to educate, convene, and advocate for meaningful change.
The work of the Interassociation Wellbeing Collaborative reminds us that well-being is not a side initiative; it is foundational to the future of higher education. When professionals are supported, institutions are stronger. When systems are aligned, students are better served.
AACRAO is proud to be part of this effort and looks forward to continuing the conversation and the work with our members and partners.
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