The Teaching Meets Wellness Conference and Teaching Meets Wellness Conversations (TMW
events) are virtual high-impact practices that arose from a series of conversations between Prof.
Stacey Cooper and Prof. J.C. Williams (BSS Dept.) during the winter of 2020. These
conversations centered around understanding the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the lives
of students, faculty and staff at Hostos, and the larger South Bronx community. They were
prompted by a need to understand the impact of a converging social events, primarily the
Covid-19 pandemic, the growth of the Black Lives Matter movement, and the impact of political
elections on the lives of Hostos students, faculty, and staff, as well as the greater South Bronx
neighborhood. Fabian Wander and Ursula Sanders of the Student Health Services Office joined
the project. This conference is noteworthy since it is the first of its kind at Hostos Community
College, focusing on the intersection of social issues, pedagogy and mental health. Also, it was
the first time the Behavioral and Social sciences department and the Student Health Services
Office collaborated on conference events (aka. The Health & Wellness Office).
Recognizing the social concerns and current events that have an impact on the lives of
students, faculty, staff, and the broader community also means acknowledging that there are a
number of issues yet to be addressed within our Hostos community. The Teaching Meets
Wellness Conference and Teaching Meets Wellness Conversations are both great opportunities
to learn more about these issues. These events also bring together community leaders, mental
health and service practitioners, scholars, and student perspectives into a continuous dialogue.