UA Life and Work Connections is in the midst of the third annual walk series, Walks with Campus Leaders.
A small crowd of UA students, faculty and Tucson community members gathered in front of Old Main for a nice afternoon stroll through the university’s grounds with President Ann Weaver Hart, the featured leader who led Wednesday’s Walks with Campus Leaders.
“Through the walks, I get a chance to talk to the students and faculty on a more personal level,” Hart said. “I think this program is a great way to get the community together; I plan on making it out again for next year.”
The third spring semester walk series began earlier this semester in February. Walks with Campus Leaders is organized by Nancy Rogers, coordinator for Employee Wellness and Health Promotion at UA Life and Work Connections. While Rogers started the series to promote the wellbeing of UA faculty and students, in three years, it has stemmed into a way that university leaders can better integrate themselves into the community.
“It started out getting leaders on board and having their employees get out and get a breath of fresh air during the day,” Rogers said. “The walks [give] people from various departments a chance to connect and [show] the diversity that UA has in its leadership and body.”
While some came to catch a glimpse of Hart, others came for the sense of community and health benefits of the twenty minute walk. Melissa Wyatt, a nutritional sciences graduate student, explained the impression of camaraderie she felt along with the medical advantage of taking a short walk in the middle of the day.
“I really enjoy the idea of everyone coming together,” Wyatt said. “I am able to meet people that I would have never spoken to. Also, the walk provides me with a good, healthy break from work.”
From the east side of Old Main, Hart led the group past the green arches of the Forbes building to the water feature in the Women’s Plaza of Honor. While on the walk, Hart answered questions from Tucson residents and members of the UA.
Through out the excursion, walkers were able to introduce themselves to others who came to see Hart. Walkers came from a variety of departments including University Information Technology Services, UA police aids and the nutrition department.
Concluding the walk, Hart lead the crowd back to Old Main. Pleasantly surprised by the turnout, Hart explained how the walks with leaders better improve campus relations.
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