Alvina Brueggemann
Title
Coordinator, Women's Health Integrative Research Center
Faculty, MA Holistic Health Studies
Degrees and assoc. Universities:
Ph.D. University of Minnesota
What were the driving factors in your decision to join the St. Kate's faculty?
There is an enduring sense of love, respect, and mission at this University. From the beautiful grounds, to the outreach efforts, to the genuine respect between colleagues, I have found this a wonderful place to work and to teach. While I believe that education of the mind is important, I think that ethical leadership and acknowledgement of the 'whole person' is something unique to St Kate's, and this idea trickles down to many student and faculty initiatives.
What’s your teaching philosophy or your outlook on higher education?
I believe that teaching is about inspiring students to become the best version of themselves. In college, students can develop the ability to critically think and to communicate, which are important skills for management positions. Higher education can position students to become leaders and to think creatively to solve problems. The best thing that can come from a college or university experience is the mentoring relationship you may develop with faculty here at St Kate's. Faculty are uniquely interested in helping a student develop, both as a person and as a professional.
What are some of your favorite things to do when you’re not teaching?
I have a lot of hobbies! I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, reading, teaching violin, and ballroom dancing.
What do you love most about your job at St.Kate's, and your work through your particular department?
I am very humbled and happy to be working in two departments - the WHIR Center and Holistic Health Studies. As the coordinator at the WHIR Center, I get to help the co-directors carry out the vision for the center. Most recently, we have begun to develop ideas for an interprofessional research idea, and it is incredible to be a part of the team that is designing solutions to real-world problems. I am also loving my position as a co-teacher in the Master's of Holistic Health Studies program. It is an incredible journey to help students progress from fledgling research ideas to transformative, powerful pieces of writing. They are changing the world through their work, and it is humbling to be a part of this exciting journey.
What are you passionate about in life?
Much of the work that I have done pro bono, whether for college readiness programs, residence halls, or for faculty/student workshops, centers on developing a more keen mind-body awareness through experiential meditation or stress reduction. It is all too easy in the hectic pace of life to forget that we are whole people, with needs at many levels - mental, physical, emotional, spiritual. After having taught students for nine years, I am especially aware that college is a time of great stress, and that we tend to forget about nourishing our own bodies, spending time with loved ones, and taking care of our own health. I think an awareness of how our thoughts and feelings can contribute to sickness, and how important it can be to maintain positive mental health, is vital for members of any community to remain strong, healthy, and happy.
What does social justice mean to you and how do you apply it to your life?
At its root, I believe that social justice is about caring, concern, and decency. There are a number of ways to advocate for social justice, whether they are 'loud' or 'quiet'; whether they are 'big' or 'small.' I think it is most important to look at your own strengths to see what you can contribute to the community. In my work at the Women's Health Integrative Research Center, we are looking at ways to investigate disparities in health issues in our research, to see how interventions can be improved. As a faculty advisor for the Mindfulness Club, I am helping the leadership board explore the idea of hosting an event around Mindfulness and Historical/Cultural Trauma. As an instructor in Holistic Health Studies, I am working with a few student groups of students that aim to empower minority communities through practice or research. To me, an important piece of social justice is being open to learning, helping, and changing when you encounter something that is challenging or difficult, and being brave enough to follow your heart.
What has been the most memorable experience at St. Kate’s this year?
There have been so many great mind-body events this year. Last year, I very much enjoyed presenting a session on "We're More than Just Our Brains! Research on the Integration of Mind, Body, and Feelings" at the summer Chatauqua in August. There was a wonderful positive energy in the air, and the alumnae and I had loads of fun doing simple yoga exercises and discussing the latest research on mind-body interactions. During the fall semester, I helped a HHS student bring the meditation club from the Minneapolis campus to both campuses, and we became a chartered club - the Mindfulness Club. The Henrietta Schmoll School of Health also brought a wonderful mind-body expert to campus: Matt Sanford. Matt Sanford is a survivor of major spinal damage, and has such a wonderful story to tell about how 'presence' is an important part of any healthcare worker's journey. He is also a yoga teacher, for people living with disabilities and traditional yoga students. Lastly, the HSSOH is aiming to bring Joan Borysenko, a mind-body medicine expert, to campus on April 24th. It feels as if we are turning a corner where the importance of mind-body health is being recognized.
Coordinator, Women's Health Integrative Research Center
Faculty, MA Holistic Health Studies
Degrees and assoc. Universities:
Ph.D. University of Minnesota
What were the driving factors in your decision to join the St. Kate's faculty?
There is an enduring sense of love, respect, and mission at this University. From the beautiful grounds, to the outreach efforts, to the genuine respect between colleagues, I have found this a wonderful place to work and to teach. While I believe that education of the mind is important, I think that ethical leadership and acknowledgement of the 'whole person' is something unique to St Kate's, and this idea trickles down to many student and faculty initiatives.
What’s your teaching philosophy or your outlook on higher education?
I believe that teaching is about inspiring students to become the best version of themselves. In college, students can develop the ability to critically think and to communicate, which are important skills for management positions. Higher education can position students to become leaders and to think creatively to solve problems. The best thing that can come from a college or university experience is the mentoring relationship you may develop with faculty here at St Kate's. Faculty are uniquely interested in helping a student develop, both as a person and as a professional.
What are some of your favorite things to do when you’re not teaching?
I have a lot of hobbies! I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, reading, teaching violin, and ballroom dancing.
What do you love most about your job at St.Kate's, and your work through your particular department?
I am very humbled and happy to be working in two departments - the WHIR Center and Holistic Health Studies. As the coordinator at the WHIR Center, I get to help the co-directors carry out the vision for the center. Most recently, we have begun to develop ideas for an interprofessional research idea, and it is incredible to be a part of the team that is designing solutions to real-world problems. I am also loving my position as a co-teacher in the Master's of Holistic Health Studies program. It is an incredible journey to help students progress from fledgling research ideas to transformative, powerful pieces of writing. They are changing the world through their work, and it is humbling to be a part of this exciting journey.
What are you passionate about in life?
Much of the work that I have done pro bono, whether for college readiness programs, residence halls, or for faculty/student workshops, centers on developing a more keen mind-body awareness through experiential meditation or stress reduction. It is all too easy in the hectic pace of life to forget that we are whole people, with needs at many levels - mental, physical, emotional, spiritual. After having taught students for nine years, I am especially aware that college is a time of great stress, and that we tend to forget about nourishing our own bodies, spending time with loved ones, and taking care of our own health. I think an awareness of how our thoughts and feelings can contribute to sickness, and how important it can be to maintain positive mental health, is vital for members of any community to remain strong, healthy, and happy.
What does social justice mean to you and how do you apply it to your life?
At its root, I believe that social justice is about caring, concern, and decency. There are a number of ways to advocate for social justice, whether they are 'loud' or 'quiet'; whether they are 'big' or 'small.' I think it is most important to look at your own strengths to see what you can contribute to the community. In my work at the Women's Health Integrative Research Center, we are looking at ways to investigate disparities in health issues in our research, to see how interventions can be improved. As a faculty advisor for the Mindfulness Club, I am helping the leadership board explore the idea of hosting an event around Mindfulness and Historical/Cultural Trauma. As an instructor in Holistic Health Studies, I am working with a few student groups of students that aim to empower minority communities through practice or research. To me, an important piece of social justice is being open to learning, helping, and changing when you encounter something that is challenging or difficult, and being brave enough to follow your heart.
What has been the most memorable experience at St. Kate’s this year?
There have been so many great mind-body events this year. Last year, I very much enjoyed presenting a session on "We're More than Just Our Brains! Research on the Integration of Mind, Body, and Feelings" at the summer Chatauqua in August. There was a wonderful positive energy in the air, and the alumnae and I had loads of fun doing simple yoga exercises and discussing the latest research on mind-body interactions. During the fall semester, I helped a HHS student bring the meditation club from the Minneapolis campus to both campuses, and we became a chartered club - the Mindfulness Club. The Henrietta Schmoll School of Health also brought a wonderful mind-body expert to campus: Matt Sanford. Matt Sanford is a survivor of major spinal damage, and has such a wonderful story to tell about how 'presence' is an important part of any healthcare worker's journey. He is also a yoga teacher, for people living with disabilities and traditional yoga students. Lastly, the HSSOH is aiming to bring Joan Borysenko, a mind-body medicine expert, to campus on April 24th. It feels as if we are turning a corner where the importance of mind-body health is being recognized.