What is the Center for Cura Personalis?

By: Nicola Miller

“Helping students be their best selves”

The Center for Cura Personalis (CCP) is an innovative department within the Division of Student Development that focuses on providing individualized services and support that help students be their best selves. The CCP staff is dedicated to the mission of “cura personalis” which is a Jesuit phrase that means “care for the whole person.” In discussing the phrase cura personalis, Peter-Hans Kolvenbach SJ, Jesuit Superior, said that along each of our life journeys, we need the “help of a companion on the way.” Each of our staff aims to be this companion for our students.

The CCP serves students in many ways, including proactive outreach and educational programs about healthy choices, interventions for students who may be struggling, referrals to on and off campus resources, and designated case managers to provide support for students who may need a little extra assistance along the way. The goal of the CCP is to find numerous ways to provide healthy living and prevention education so that students never find themselves in crisis… but if they do, we are here to help. Currently, there are five functional areas within the CCP:

• Case Management, whose staff supports students experiencing academic and/or personal challenges, connects them to resources, and educates them on coping skills, resiliency, and self-advocacy.
• Collegiate Recovery Center, a supportive environment to promote healing and on-going sobriety for students in recovery or at risk for substance use and abuse.
• Gender Based Initiatives, initiatives and programming that encourage exploration of the social, physical, and psychological constructs of gender.
• Sexual Assault Response Team, a group of staff and faculty who volunteer to assist students after any reported incident of sexual misconduct, including sexual assault, harassment, stalking, and relationship violence.
• Student Wellness Resources, whose staff provides our community with a student centered harm reduction approach to living a healthy and balanced lifestyle, and empowers students to make choices in support of their personal goals.

If you know a student who may be struggling or need some extra support, the Center for Cura Personalis is a great place to start! Contact us by calling 509-313-2CCP (2227) or e-mail us at ccp@gonzaga.edu. You can also fill out a Student of Concern form on our website at www.gonzaga.edu/ccp.