Skip to main content

Background Image for Header:

Student Success: Using Wellness Strategies to Improve Academic Stress and Performance


Poor mental health is on the rise among college students and, for those in rigorous STEM-based programs, the expectations of high performance in academics and extracurriculars can be especially stressful. Wellness programming could be beneficial for these students and physical activity, in particular, is associated with improved mood and lower rates of anxiety and depressive related symptoms. This presentation will feature retrospective findings from wellness programs offered through the division of exercise physiology to freshman through graduate students in rigorous STEM-based programs. Programs include:

  1. A peer-supported physical activity intervention for freshman on academic probation
  2. Mental wellness trainings from campus clinicians embedded within a junior level physiology course
  3. A student-led physical activity program to promote mental wellness in graduate health sciences students
Miriam Pearman Leary photo

Miriam Pearman Leary

Assistant Professor, Assistant Chairperson, Human Performance - Exercise Physiology, School of Medicine

Dr. Miriam Leary is an assistant professor and the assistant chair in the division of exercise physiology.  She received a BS in Exercise Biology from the University of California Davis, a MS in Exercise Physiology from West Virginia University, a PhD in Exercise Science from the University of Texas at Austin, and completed a post-doctoral fellowship in the department of human nutrition and foods at West Virginia University.  Much of her focus is on student success including the first-year experience, advising at-risk students, and academic support for all undergraduates. Dr. Leary has established a productive research agenda in discipline-specific education research of exercise physiology students with a particular focus on first year retention, wellness strategies to improve academic stress and performance, and experiential learning opportunities in community-based exercise training. Dr. Leary is a Teaching and Learning Commons Faculty Associate for Student Success.