Balance and Belonging Agenda
September 5, 2025 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. College of Southern Idaho
Registration and Welcome: 8 - 8:45 a.m.
Fine Arts Lobby
Check-In
Keynote Session: 9 - 9:50 a.m.
Keynote Session: Healthy Communities: Flourishing from the Inside Out
Fine Arts Auditorium
Keynote Speaker: Tyler Norris, MDiv
Description: As we each navigate our roles in building healthier communities, what feels important in your personal and professional journey right now? In this timely conversation, Tyler Norris explores how we can stay grounded and care for our well-being while living with purpose. Reflecting on both the personal and collective journey, he invites us to consider what it takes to truly flourish—for ourselves, our families, and our communities.
Concurrent Sessions: 10 – 10:50 a.m.
Session 1: Move to Improve: The Power of Physical Activity to Support Mental Well-Being
Taylor 277
Speaker: Monique Middlekauff, PhD
Description: This interactive session explores the powerful role of physical activity as both a protective and therapeutic tool to support mental health. Grounded in current evidence and practical application, this presentation will highlight the important role of movement to enhance well-being. We will examine key research on the benefits of physical activity in managing symptoms of depression, anxiety, as well as its impact on self-efficacy and total health. Participants will gain practical strategies for integrating movement-based practices into the practical rhythm of life. This session offers valuable insights into how to improve the mind by purposefully moving the body.
Session 2: Smart Meal Prep: Maximizing Nutrition with Limited Resources
Taylor 276
Speaker: Misty Roberts, RDN, LD
Description: Eating healthy while on a budget and without the convenience of kitchen tools tools or equipment, is not only possible, but can also be nourishing and rewarding. Learn basic nutrition and budget friendly food preparation tips with an interactive demons demonstration and taste testing.
Session 3: Belonging as Medicine: The Role of Connection in Mental Health
Fine Arts 87
Speaker: Dr Devin Merritt, PhD, Licensed Psychologist
Description: Explore how a sense of belonging and meaningful social connections act as powerful protective factors in mental health. This session will highlight the immediate benefits of healthy relationships, offer practical strategies for cultivating connection, and examine the long-term impact of social bonds on emotional and physical well-being.
Concurrent Sessions: 11 - 11:50 a.m.
Session 4: Yoga with a Purpose
GYM 231A
Speaker: Amy Toft
Description: Experience a rejuvenating flow as you’ll be guided through a series of gentle and restorative movements that will be kind to everybody. More attention will be placed on the facilitation of stillness for deep relaxation, muscular release, increased breath capacity, and the quieting of the mind.
Session 5: Make and Take: Whole Foods Meal Prep
Desert Kitchen
Speaker: Melissa Sleight, MSN, RDN, LD
Description: In this plant focused meal prep class, you will discover how easy it is to make multiple meals in record time, while nourishing your whole body. Cook, prep, and store your meals even if you have never done meal prep before. You don’t need fancy equipment or expensive ingredients. We’ll get back to the basics of whole foods. In this make and take class, we will finish cooking various items and assemble several fresh meals for the coming week. We’ll provide menus, shopping lists, and recipes as well as time-saving techniques and tips to equip you will the skills to be able to do this again and again at home.
Session 6: Trauma-Informed Communication to Strengthen Communities
Taylor 277
Speaker: Bridgette Stumpf and Lindsey Silverberg
Description: This training offers participants the opportunity to explore empathetic and effective communication strategies that recognize and respond to the effects of trauma in both personal and professional settings. Attendees will gain insight into the neurobiology of trauma and its influence on behavior and relationships. The session will also provide practical tools for engaging in sensitive, trauma-responsive communication and offer strategies to foster healing environments and supportive communities rooted in an understanding of trauma and its impacts
12- 12:50 p.m.: Lunch Break
Lunch will be on your own; please explore nearby dining options.
Concurrent Sessions: 1 - 1:50 p.m.
Session 7: [REPEAT] Make and Take: Whole Foods Meal Prep
Desert Kitchen
Speaker: Melissa Sleight, MSN, RDN, LD
Description: In this plant focused meal prep class, you will discover how easy it is to make multiple meals in record time, while nourishing your whole body. Cook, prep, and store your meals even if you have never done meal prep before. You don’t need fancy equipment or expensive ingredients. We’ll get back to the basics of whole foods. In this make and take class, we will finish cooking various items and assemble several fresh meals for the coming week. We’ll provide menus, shopping lists, and recipes as well as time-saving techniques and tips to equip you will the skills to be able to do this again and again at home.
Session 8: [REPEAT]: Belonging as Medicine: The Role of Connection in Mental Health
Taylor 277
Speaker: Dr. Devin Merritt, PhD, Licensed Psychologist
Description: Explore how a sense of belonging and meaningful social connections act as powerful protective factors in mental health. This session will highlight the immediate benefits of healthy relationships, offer practical strategies for cultivating connection, and examine the long-term impact of social bonds on emotional and physical well-being.
Session 9: Honoring Resilience: Understanding Trauma Honestly
Fine Arts 87
Speaker: Regan Spanbauer, MSW student
Description: This session explores what true resilience looks like in the aftermath of trauma. Participants will learn to distinguish authentic resilience from performative strength, understand that healing and effectiveness can coexist, and recognize resilience as the ongoing ability to feel, connect, and love—even when it's uncomfortable.
Concurrent Sessions: 2 - 2:50 p.m.
Session 10: Breathwork and Mindfulness
GYM 231A
Speaker: Ranie Evans
Description: Breathwork and meditation are powerful practices that can significantly benefit mental health by promoting relaxation, reducing stress, and enhancing overall well-being. Join us in this session of total relaxation as Ranie guides you through a transformational journey of exploring meditation and breathwork.
Session 11: [REPEAT] Smart Meal Prep: Maximizing Nutrition with Limited Resources
Taylor 276
Speaker: Misty Roberts, RDN, LD
Description: Eating healthy while on a budget and without the convenience of kitchen tools equipment, is not only possible, but can also be nourishing and rewarding. Learn basic nutrition and budget friendly food preparation tips with an interactive demonstration and taste testing.
Session 12: [REPEAT] Trauma-Informed Communication to Strengthen Communities
Fine Arts 87
Speaker: Bridgette Stumpf and Lindsey Silverberg
Description: This training offers participants the opportunity to explore empathetic and effective communication strategies that recognize and respond to the effects of trauma in both personal and professional settings. Attendees will gain insight into the neurobiology of trauma and its influence on behavior and relationships. The session will also provide practical tools for engaging in sensitive, trauma-responsive communication and offer strategies to foster healing environments and supportive communities rooted in an understanding of trauma and its impacts.
Session 13: [REPEAT] Honoring Resilience: Understanding Trauma Honestly
Taylor 277
Speaker: Regan Spanbauer, MSW Student
Description: This session explores what true resilience looks like in the aftermath of trauma. Participants will learn to distinguish authentic resilience from performative strength, understand that healing and effectiveness can coexist, and recognize resilience as the ongoing ability to feel, connect, and love—even when it's uncomfortable.
Closing Ceremony 3 – 3:30 p.m.
Speaker: Tyler Norris, MDiv
Fine Arts Auditorium
Description: In this final conversation, Tyler invites us to pause and consider how we can remain grounded in purpose while tending to our own mental and emotional health. Together we will reflect on what it truly means to flourish – not just as individuals, but as families, organizations, and communities. Leave renewed, connected, and ready to continue your work with intention and balance.