Mia Liadis, the assistant director for health promotion at Recreation and Well-Being in the Division of Student Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University, has seamlessly integrated her student experiences into a fulfilling career dedicated to student well-being.
Reflecting on her time at VCU, Liadis, a first-generation college student, expressed her gratitude for the opportunities the university has provided her. She holds three degrees from VCU and was recently honored with the VCU Staff Senate’s 2024 Professional Integrity Award. Liadis stated, “I feel like VCU has brought me a lot of opportunities to feel fulfilled. I can only hope that in working with our students, they have a similar opportunity as well.”
With a background in health education and counseling, Liadis brings compassion and empathy to her role at RecWell, focusing on outreach and education on various topics such as mental, sexual, and relationship health, as well as alcohol and drug education, nutrition, and physical health.
Liadis credits her mentors at VCU for inspiring her to pursue a career in higher education, particularly in the field of health advocacy and equity. She emphasized the importance of addressing mental health in universities and highlighted the significance of building community and fostering support among students.
At RecWell, Liadis and her team offer peer-to-peer support, workshops, and presentations to promote healthy experiences on campus. They also collaborate with Student Health Services to connect students with resources that support their well-being, such as STI testing events and flu prevention programs.
Looking ahead, Liadis mentioned upcoming initiatives at VCU, including a national alcohol screening day event and a Research to Recovery conference. As the new school year approaches, the focus will be on mental health for students, with programs aimed at reducing risks related to sexual assault and substance abuse during the critical first six weeks of the fall semester.
When asked about her favorite spot on campus, Liadis shared her appreciation for a quiet courtyard near Oliver Hall and the Life Sciences building, describing it as an ideal space for reading and studying.
In closing, Liadis reflected on the valuable advice she received from a professor about the importance of continuous learning and growth in diversity, equity, and inclusion. She stated, “If you think you know it all, you’re no longer doing the work,” a message that resonates with her in her roles as an instructor, supervisor, and colleague.
