Active Living Program News


Spotlight on Columbus State Community College

You might think of a college campus as a pretty active place—students walking to class, playing Frisbee on the quad, participating in a variety of organized sports—but what about the faculty and staff who work on campus? How do they stay active?

At Columbus State Community College, the sports and fitness department offers Active Living Every Day to help faculty and staff find ways to be physically active. One employee who enrolled in the course and has increased her physical activity says that this is the first time she’s felt good about herself.

Don Laubenthal, coordinator of the Human Performance Center and director of the Active Living program, says, “We’ve had a good response. A few of our coordinators and administrators are taking the course and saying good things about it. We’re excited about expanding Active Living Every Day to more groups across campus.”

Innovative Marketing

Columbus State uses several tactics to introduce employees to Active Living Every Day and help them continue to be active. Here are some ideas they shared with us:

  • Don and facilitators Angela Miller Barton and Nina Riccobono use a personal approach to publicizing the program, as well as blanketing the campus with fliers and sending out e-mails. “We talk to small groups within departments to explain the program. People delete e-mails and may not see a flier. We get a better response from face-to-face meetings.”
  • One of the current classes will wrap up in a few weeks. Participants are encouraged to bring a friend to class during sessions 19 and 20 and let them see what it’s about. They can then sign up for a class that begins next month.
  • Ongoing support is available for Active Living participants after they’ve finished the course. The Active Living Alumni program at Columbus State will provide resources to help people stick with their physical activity habits. An online blackboard classroom, walking clubs, and monthly fitness activities motivate Active Living alumni to support each other and stay active.
  • Plans for an online Active Living Every Day course target people who aren’t comfortable meeting in a group every week. “Many people express interest in the program but then never register for the course,” Don says. “We want to help these contemplators by enrolling them in the online course. We’ll meet once a month to ask about their progress, answer questions, provide encouragement, and make sure they have the tools they need for upcoming online sessions.”

Future Plans

Columbus State has applied for a grant to offer Active Living Every Day on a much broader scale at the college. Don is also working with local businesses and public health groups to reach out to sedentary adults in the community. If you would like to contact Don to learn more about his success with Active Living Every Day, he can be reached at 614-287-3627 or dlaubent@cscc.edu.

Marsha Maxwell, a participant in Active Living Every Day at Columbus State, feels like a new person since becoming more active. Read more here.



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