Wellness Ambassador of the Month
Steve Asercion, Supply Chain Management

How long have you worked at UC Davis?

I’ve been with the university for almost 30 years.

Why did you become a wellness ambassador?

I wanted to help anyway I can to promote wellness within our unit at Cousteau by making them aware of activities that the campus offers. Also, find out what activities interest our unit and help achieve that with the assistance of a wellness grant.

How long have you been a wellness ambassador?

It’s been about 1 ½ years.

What has been the most rewarding or positive about your experience thus far?

The best part is meeting other Wellness Ambassadors at Cousteau and working together. We promote each other’s activities for staff to have the best options such as Tai Chi on Mondays, group walks on Tuesdays, and Stretching on Wednesdays. Also, several units competed in the steps challenge offered by campus. We motivated each other by competing for which Cousteau unit would finish first on the leaderboard. It’s all for great fun.

What are some challenges you face as a wellness ambassador?

Staff are made aware of the activities available to them via email, flyers or through conversations. I receive positive feedback and promise of participation, but then work or other situations come up and they’re unable to join in the chosen activity. Also, it can be challenging trying to find activities that make wellness challenges enjoyable and rewarding to the participants.

What is one piece of advice you would like to share with new wellness ambassadors?

Learn and build relationships with fellow ambassadors so everyone can share ideas and implement activities that benefit all parties.

Staff and Faculty Health and Well-being aims to build an environment that makes the healthier choice the easier one, while providing staff and faculty with the required support to make UC Davis the healthiest community. How do you feel you have contributed to our mission?

I think by making the activities fun, challenging, doable, and social, it helps build a less stressful environment that improves morale in the workplace. It’s a small contribution to the goal of the University of being healthy, but well worth the time and effort.

What is your favorite thing to do in your spare time?

I like playing tennis. It’s a great way to release stress.