The Center for Buddhist Studies is pleased to recognize Ryan Daily, M.A., LPC, and Adriana Rice as recipients of the Integrative Well-Being Prize.
Ryan Daily serves as Director of Student Wellness Initiatives at the University of Arizona’s College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences (CALES). A Licensed Professional Counselor with a background in psychology and community counseling, he leads innovative, integrative approaches to student mental health, including Elevate Evenings and the Mind-Body Skills Program. His work focuses on stress reduction, social connection, resilience, and reducing barriers to care in higher education.
Adriana Rice is a senior majoring in Human Development and Family Science with a minor in Nutrition. She serves as a Wellness Leader for Elevate Evenings, a CALES Wellness and Mental Health intern, president of the UA Meditation Cats club, and a Group Fitness Instructor with Campus Recreation. She is deeply committed to movement, mindfulness, and community building, and aspires to become a Naturopathic Doctor dedicated to holistic and preventative healthcare.
Awarded Project:
Elevate Evenings – Cultivating Belonging, Resilience, and Integrative Student Wellness
Elevate Evenings is a weekly, student-led wellness initiative housed within CALES, designed to strengthen student retention, graduation rates, and overall flourishing. In response to rising stress, loneliness, and disconnection in college life, the program intentionally centers courageous and meaningful human connection as the foundation of well-being.
Each week, students gather in an inclusive community where they select small wellness groups, share meals, build friendships, and participate in integrative activities grounded in the Eight Dimensions of Wellness model. Rooted in kindness and compassion, the program creates conditions where students feel seen, supported, and valued.
Student feedback consistently demonstrates reduced stress and increased connection and belonging. Elevate Evenings exemplifies how integrative well-being—when embedded in community and relational care—can transform campus culture and support sustainable student success.
Congratulations to Ryan and Adriana on this well-deserved recognition.