Earlier this year, the Wellness Center welcomed a new face, Keri Carvalho, PhD. Dr. Carvalho is Groton’s Wellness Program manager, and she can typically be found across the hall from the main entrance of the Wellness Center. Although new to Groton, Dr. Carvalho is far from new to the world of wellness and is thoroughly accomplished in her field.

Before arriving at Groton, Dr. Carvalho received her master’s in clinical psychology and obtained her PhD degree in experimental psychology. Dr. Carvalho gained experience through teaching at Tufts University and later working for Meta, where she analyzed the impact of social media on bullying and harassment. It was at Meta that Dr. Carvalho became interested in analyzing data and gathering research that she could use to create change. Dr. Carvalho also worked at Harvard University, where she taught both the psychology of social media and the science of happiness. This teaching experience inspired Dr. Keri to become more invested in the impacts of wellness, both mentally and physically.

Dr. Carvalho’s focus on the importance of teaching wellness brought her to Groton to continue her work. Upon arriving at Groton, Dr. Carvalho has begun to address the Wellness Center’s goal of connecting closely with the student body. During an interview with Dr. Carvalho, she stressed the importance of students understanding the programs that are available to them, as well as making these programs easily accessible. Dr. Carvalho plans on spreading awareness of Groton’s wellness opportunities by organizing events for the student body. She explains that her goal with these activities is to advertise “the various opportunities” students have to interact with the program, and to address the “stigma surrounding mental health.”

Improving wellness spaces around campus is also a crucial part of Dr. Carvalho’s vision, as she acknowledges that areas for mindfulness and a moment of calm can be difficult to find around a bustling campus. These spaces can be extremely “beneficial to students’ health” as a source of relaxation. Dr. Carvalho explains that despite the student body’s awareness of the Wellness Center and its options, the life of a Groton student is consistently busy. In other words, making time to care for one’s emotional, physical, and mental health can be difficult with such a fast-paced schedule. To address this, Dr. Carvalho plans to increase the accessibility of the Wellness Center, such as by establishing quick check-ins that could fit into students’ schedules. Dr. Carvalho also expressed her hope of exposing students to experiences and activities they have not tried before, such as taking advantage of easy access to the natural environment around Groton through sensory walks.

Recognizing that no two students’ needs are the same, Dr. Carvalho’s goal is to find a method that resonates with each individual. She hopes that the Wellness Center can be a place of comfort to any student and assures that the Wellness Center “will take you as you are, and enhance your well-being.”