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.
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, Associate Vice President, Finance and Administration
Kindness Ambassador Meet-ups:
Drop-in Hour:
Kindness Ambassadors- you are welcome to drop in and ask questions or provide feedback on how implementation of the strategies is going for your unit. The next one is scheduled for Tuesday, January 13, 2026, from 12-1 pm.
Be Kind Bear Down Ambassador Meeting:
Kindness Ambassadors- we ask that you attend this quarterly meeting to discuss upcoming Be Kind, Bear Down events and activities. The next one is scheduled for Tuesday, December 9, 2025, from 12-1 pm.
Kindness Ambassador Quarterly Meeting Link
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
- Adrián Arroyo Pérez, Associate Director, Faculty Programs, Faculty Affairs
- Arlette Cordery, Coordinator, Strategic Projects, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
- 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
- Greg Heileman, Vice Provost, Academic Affairs
- Jeannette Maré, Assistant Research Professor, Science of Kindness Community Collective
- Jeannine Relly, Associate Dean, Faculty Affairs and Advancement, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
- Lisa Elfring, Vice Provost, Assessment, Teaching and Technology
- Marie Willard, Director, International Student Services, Arizona International
- Marilyn Taylor, Associate Vice President, Finance and Administration, Office of the Provost
- 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
- Tara Chandler, Assistant Director, Faculty Mentoring Initiatives, Faculty Affairs