Updates on University Wellness

April 5, 2021

Dear campus community,

I want to share with you some important updates about the position of director of University Wellness.

That position was first introduced to our campus in 2015, with the intent of raising the profile of health and wellness on our campus in a significant way. That has happened under the strong and energetic leadership of Dominique Gummelt. In her role, she led the campus to win a range of wellness awards; faculty, staff and students engaged in increasingly intentional activities that support wellness transformation; wellness and technology paired, such as in the popular ThriveCast; and our amazing new Andreasen Center for Wellness opened. Once that opened, Dominique served as the executive director of the Center and director of University Wellness.

Wellness over the last few years has truly become central to the way we think and are as an Andrews University community. In particular, Dominique's engaging and passionate leadership has been critical to all of that, and I want to thank her profoundly for her world-changing contributions.

However, Dominique's professional journey has now led her to a new unique opportunity as a wellness expert and entrepreneur.

In January of this year she moved to a part-time contract with the University and now serves as the Wellness Expert and Media Spokesperson for Verv. Inc., a successful fitness technology company.

Additionally, she is working as a leader and team builder with the VIP team of the market-leading international group Unity Global, a company that focuses on high-quality, evidence-based wellness products that seek to help people transform their lives.

For those who wish to connect with Dominique, please feel free to contact her directly via email (dominique.gummelt@gmail.com) or WhatsApp (+491604371129).

This change and move by Dominique has also led us to make a change on campus as well. I am very pleased to let you know that effective May 1, 2021, Rachel Keele will take up the responsibility as director of University Wellness, paired with the position as director of the Andreasen Center for Wellness.

As Rachel assumes these new roles, she'll continue to be supported by our campus-wide team of Wellness Ambassadors as well as a core University Wellness advisory team.

Rachel holds a master's degree in educational psychology and various certifications including Precision Nutrition Level I and Precision Nutrition Level II (in progress), Crossfit Level 1 & 2 Trainer, STRONG Nation Instructor, ACSM Personal Trainer and Mobility training.

Rachel's previous professional experiences included roles providing guest and customer services, general leadership to the Lamson Health Club operations, supervision and mentoring of large student labor work teams as well as other work assignments in marketing and communication. Over the past decade, Rachel's passion for health and wellness was manifested in her own personal dedication to health principles and practices as well as in her extensive experience of providing inspirational health and fitness coaching and instruction.

During this past year of the global COVID-19 pandemic, Rachel provided outstanding, dedicated service to the University as the interim director of the Andreasen Center, especially as she led and guided her team as they planned and implemented a successful reopening of the Center with careful attention to customer concerns and COVID-19 mitigation protocols.

I again want to thank Dominique for her amazing passion, contributions and dedication to wellness, including the pivotal role she played in the vision, design and approach of our Andreasen Center for Wellness. We welcome Rachel as she expands in her wellness roles on campus and seeks to guide and inspire our campus community to continue and deepen our God-centered commitment to wellness.

Andrea Luxton
President