Building Community Through Self-Care
By Office of Communications & Marketing | Jul 29, 2026
The School of Graduate Studies (SGS) marked International Self-Care Day, observed on July 24, with an all-day gathering designed to help students pause, recharge, and connect.
Students enjoyed Mediterranean food while choosing from a range of relaxing, hands-on activities, including coloring, bracelet-making, and building animal figurines with LEGO-style blocks. One student, Shreya Desikan Shai, Ph.D., proudly showed off the LEGO whale she created–a playful reminder that self-care can sometimes mean giving yourself permission to create, laugh, and enjoy the moment.
The gathering came at a particularly meaningful time. With changes in the federal landscape creating uncertainty and concern throughout the scientific community, the event gave students a welcoming space to step away from academic pressures, check in with themselves, and strengthen their connections with classmates and colleagues.
The SGS Student Council generously sponsored the catering, and Justine Lottermoser, Ph.D., SGS Manager of Career and Professional Development, led the event’s planning.
Magda Alliancin, Ed.D., Employee Assistance Program; Maria Deutscher, Ph.D., Student Counseling; and Evelyn Campos, LCSW, Student Counseling, also attended to support the School’s commitment to student well-being and psychological safety across the Downstate campus.
Through good food, creative activities, and meaningful conversation, the gathering reinforced that caring for ourselves and each other is essential to building a healthy, connected academic community.
