CATT Be Kind Bear Down Activity
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Be Kind, Bear Down
Be Kind, Bear Down is a new campus-wide initiative, created in partnership with Ben’s Bells and supported by the Office of the Provost, Human Resources, ASUA, Faculty Senate, Staff Council, and other campus partners.
This initiative engages students, staff, and faculty in creating environments where people feel safe, valued, and cared for. Kindness communicates that safety and care, and research shows it also strengthens connection, improves well-being, and boosts productivity.
Have you seen an act of kindness on campus? Click on the link below to share.
Would you like to use the 'Be Kind Bear Down' graphic? Download it using the link below.
Did you know the Be Kind Bear Down initiative is highlighted in The Chronicle of Education? View the article using the link below.
Kindness Ambassadors
Each academic and administrative unit will have the opportunity to designate one Kindness Ambassador. If your unit does not have a Kindness Ambassador yet, please contact your supervisor to volunteer and participate. If you are a supervisor of a unit and you would like to nominate a Kindness Ambassador, please contact Marilyn Taylor.
Kindness Ambassadors will lead by example and implement a series of facilitated activities provided by Ben’s Bells to foster a culture of compassion, connection, productivity, and well-being across campus. Please see below for a current list of Kindness Ambassadors by college.
Leaders play a vital role in shaping culture and climate. By supporting a Kindness Ambassador, supervisors help set the tone for their unit, showing that kindness is not an extra—it’s a powerful norm that strengthens well-being, productivity, and creates community.
Kindness Ambassadors can direct their questions to Marilyn Taylor, Division of Human Resources
Kindness Ambassador Meet-ups:
Drop-in Hour:
TBA
Be Kind Bear Down Ambassador Meeting:
TBA
Kindness Ambassador Quarterly Meeting RSVP
We are deeply thankful to the following sponsors of this initiative: Student Affairs, Human Resources, Native American Initiatives, Staff Council, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences-Faculty Affairs, Provost Investment Fund, Faculty Senate, and Faculty Affairs.
Be Kind, Bear Down Resource Hub
Access tools, activities, and research-based practices to help our community infuse kindness into everyday campus life. Become a Kindness Ambassador!
Ben’s Bells
Ben’s Bells educates communities about the benefits of kindness and the skills we need to make kindness part of our daily lives.
- Adriana Grijalva, ASUA Student Body President
- Andrea Romero, Vice Provost, Faculty Affairs
- Arlette Cordery, Coordinator, Strategic Projects, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
- Jeannine Relly, Associate Dean, Faculty Affairs and Advancement, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
- Marilyn Taylor, Special Advisor, Human Resources
- Tara Chandler, Assistant Director, Faculty Mentoring Initiatives, Faculty Affairs
- Michelle Mckelvey, Associate Dean Of Students, Belonging and Mentoring
- Laura John, Assistant Director, Fraternity and Sorority Programs
- Adrián Arroyo Pérez, Associate Director, Faculty Programs, Faculty Affairs
- Carmen Valenzuela, Executive Assistant, Student Affairs Administration
- Chad Myler, Manager, Employee Health and Wellness Promotion, Human Resources
- Chante Martin, Associate Vice President, Human Resources
- Chrissy Lieberman, Dean of Students
- Clarisa Robles-Parra, Chief of Staff, Office of the Provost
- Jeannette Maré, Assistant Research Professor, Science of Kindness Community Collective
- Lisa Elfring, Vice Provost, Assessment, Teaching and Technology
- Marie Willard, Director, International Student Services, Arizona International
- Melanie Madden, Undergraduate Program Manager, Curricular Affairs
- Mona Hymel, Professor, Law (Tenured)// Endowed Chair, Arthur W Andrews-Law, Vice Chair of the Faculty
- Natalie O'Farrell, Associate Director, Programs & Wellbeing, Campus Recreation
- Nina Bates, Director, Operations and Strategic Initiatives, Office of the Provost
- Odette Vargas, Events Planner, Office of the Provost
*Bold- founders of Be Kind Bear Down
*Italicized- members of the Be Kind Bear Down Executive Leadership team