Thrive: Rooted in Resilience workshops teach valuable skills

Liberty University’s dedication to student success has reached a new milestone this year with the development of the Center for Student Thriving. Along with it comes the returning Rooted in Resilience workshop series for students to attend. 

The first workshop was held Monday, Aug. 28 in the Jerry Falwell Library’s Scholars Lounge. The goal of this first workshop was to help students prepare for the hard times they might face during their college careers, no matter what kinds of difficulties they may face. 

“We hope that our students were able to walk away from this session (understanding) that hardship is a part of life and that God has given them resources and a biblical community to help them navigate these challenges,” Leanne Gifford, director of the Center for Student Thriving, said. 

A workshop on Sept. 4 covered how students can handle difficult conversations, and on Sept. 11 the workshop will cover “making space for healthy habits.”  It will take place in the Scholars Lounge starting at 10:30 a.m. 

Although the workshop is intended for new students, all students are welcome to learn more about what it means to thrive in college. 

“When developing this program, our target audience was for our freshman students. The goal was to help them to find a space where they can learn practical skills to help them thrive at Liberty and beyond,” Gifford said.

These workshops aim to follow Liberty’s mission statement of “training Champions for Christ” by leading students through hardship in a biblical way. One of the biggest ways they do this is through community.

“It also encouraged students to find a community of believers who can help support them when things are hard. This is something that all believers need, not just students. When our students can recognize and live this out, they will be able to stand firm when they face challenges,” Gifford said. 

To learn more about the Center for Student Thriving or the Rooted in Resilience workshops, visit their website or head to the Office of Community Life at 1880 Green Hall. 

Johnson is a news reporter for the Liberty Champion. Follow her on X