Geoff Miller and Louie can be found in their office, on the second floor of the Daniels building. (Photo by Will Albach)
A wagging tail did wonders at a Minnesota inpatient mental health unit, which he supported as a licensed social worker.
“‘Crisis’ can look different for everyone,” Miller said. But on those days, “it didn’t matter where you were with your mental health or stability. The common thing was the dog made the whole room calmer.”
When Miller arrived on the University of Denver campus last year to pursue his part-time Professional MBA and a master’s degree in social work, he saw an opportunity to do the same in the halls of the Daniels College of Business.
The timing aligned perfectly with Dean Naomi Boyd’s Elevate 2035 strategic plan, which prioritizes a supportive on-campus environment for the students who are learning to disrupt the business world.
Soon, Miller was sitting across the table from Katie Runkel, executive director at the Daniels Student Success Center, talking about balance and self-care outside the classroom.
“We really want to destigmatize the professionality of business school, that you have to stay buttoned up and professional at all points,” said Runkel, who is focused on holistically supporting every step of the student journey. “Yes we’re serious, yes we have a lot of academic rigor—and we’re people. We’re training leaders who we hope can destigmatize mental health within companies as well.”
Runkel hired Miller—and his therapy pup in training, Louie—as a graduate assistant.
Over the past couple months, Miller, Runkel and the Daniels Student Success team have developed and debuted a series of new spaces dedicated to decompression. Each offers a chance to slow down, rejuvenate and de-stress in a distinctly different way.
We really want to destigmatize the professionality of business school, that you have to stay buttoned up and professional at all points. Yes we’re serious, yes we have a lot of academic rigor—and we’re people. We’re training leaders who we hope can destigmatize mental health within companies as well.
— Katie Runkel
Recharge Space | Daniels Building Second Floor, overlooking Marcus Commons
A small oasis sits on the second floor of the Daniels building, tucked away from the bustling second-floor hallway. Two new massage chairs look toward the Campus Green. They are visible from the hallway but secluded behind a folding screen from the bustling Marcus Commons. Peaceful canvases of outdoor landscapes hang on the walls.
“It’s OK to take five minutes, sit in a massage chair and decompress,” Miller said. “You’re still going to make your deadline, you’re still going to make your assignments, you’re still going to get an A in that class.”
Lounge | DCB 302
The former Ruschmeyer Conference Room has been transformed into a comfortable, laid-back student lounge. A new refrigerator, microwave and a Keurig coffee machine await anyone who needs a place to eat, drink or simply slow down. The room will be stocked with compostable silverware, napkins and other supplies for meals. K Cups will be available as the space launches and will eventually move to a bring-your-own model. The refrigerator will be emptied weekly to ensure there is always space available.
The Student Success Team also hopes to add a video game, foosball table or other fun activity in the near future. Students can use the code 5467* to access the lounge.
Peer Support and Therapy Dog | DCB 223
When the door to room 223 is open, the Daniels dog-ter is in. Louie the therapy pup in training will be there, behind a dog gate, giving students easy access to a furry form of comfort.
“There are no barriers of reception, no barriers of check in,” Runkel said. “You can just head into [Louie and Geoff’s] space if you need to talk.”
Miller is an experienced social worker and trained case manager, eager to offer peer support and help students access wellness resources across campus. He will provide a safe space and an empathetic listening ear for students who want to open up about the things they need help with, whether it’s harm reduction, substance use or counseling services.
Louie made his debut at the end of the fall quarter, where he helped students de-stress during the end of classes and final exams. Expect to find him in the building on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m.-4p.m.
Coming Soon: Play area and more programming
The Student Success team has other wellness-focused plans in the works too. Runkel is drawing up a blueprint for a “play space,” where students can find puzzles, coloring books and other unstructured, creative activities. Just a few minutes in the space can promote balance, curiosity and self-awareness, while fostering empathy and interpersonal connection, she said. She hopes to soft launch the space in the spring.
Runkel and Alison McCarty, senior director of Daniels Career Services, received a 4D grant to help make it happen. They’re partnering with Daniels alumna Mia Sundstrom (BSBA 2021), the new CEO of the National Institute for Play, to develop character-building workshops. Beginning this spring, Daniels students will have the opportunity to beta test them for the full DU community.
The SSC also has a robust calendar of events planned for the winter quarter, designed to meet a wide range of needs. Career-focused networking events are balanced with free food, informative workshops, fitness classes and pre-hockey game tailgates. Students can keep track through the Daniels online calendar, paper calendars posted around the building, or by monitoring Instagram.