CFANS creates new wellness navigator position

The College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) has developed a new position — wellness navigator — to help fill a growing demand for the wellbeing support that’s vital to student success and belonging. 

Rose Simon, she/her/hers, starts as the wellness navigator today, June 20. In this role, she will serve both undergraduate and graduate students in the College, focused on sharing resources for mental health support, emergency funds, food and housing assistance, Disability Resource Center (DRC) accommodations and more. 

This important position will also serve as a liaison between CFANS academic advising and various on- and off-campus units to provide resources for students most impacted by personal health and wellbeing factors. As wellness navigator, Rose will be a key partner for faculty and staff to consult with if they have concerns about a CFANS student and are in need of guidance. 

About Rose

Rose joins the College from the University of Minnesota Office of Undergraduate Education where she worked for four years as a program coordinator for the President’s Emerging Scholars Office (PES). Before serving in a professional capacity, she started her journey with PES as an undergraduate student and peer mentor. Throughout her time with the program, Rose worked closely with historically underserved students on campus. In her work with PES, she advocated for meeting fundamental student needs, providing mental health accessibility, and prioritizing intersectional care.

Originally from Hopkins, Minnesota, Rose attended the University of Minnesota Twin Cities where she earned a BS in family social science and a BA in French studies. Rose returned to the U of M to earn her master of social work degree and became a licensed graduate social worker (LGSW) while working full time with PES. Rose brings a passion for trauma-informed care and mental health and basic needs access, as well as an equity and inclusion lens, to her higher education work and relationships with students.

Rose is passionate about self care, and when she is not working she fills her cup by spending time with family, friends, and her puppy Margaux. She enjoys being outdoors, traveling and tackling crafty DIY projects. Rose will be housed in the CFANS Advising Center in 130 Coffey Hall on the Twin Cities campus in St. Paul. Students and faculty can email Rose at simon973@umn.edu.

Commitment to student wellbeing

As we continue to see increases in student need for mental health and wellness support, the College is working help ensure students are successful academically, socially, and emotionally. CFANS cannot envision a better tomorrow without putting students first, and the creation of a wellness navigator position is one step toward doing just that. 

President Gabel has also articulated a systemwide commitment to student success, which involves establishing a holistic approach to student wellness, and CFANS will continue to prioritize this work under the president’s leadership.