Office of Media Relations at the University of San Diego
September 9, 2025 | View in web browser
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Here's your USD News Connect — where each week the University of San Diego media relations team offers expert voices to speak on stories impacting our community. If you're interested in the stories below, or need experts for any other topic you might be working on, don't hesitate to reach out to us at press@sandiego.edu.*
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World Suicide Prevention Day
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For World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10, USD is highlighting its mental health initiatives as part of its “Year of Wellness” campaign. The university is in the JED Campus program, which is national program that promotes emotional health and educates campuses on suicide prevention. On Wednesday, the university is hosting a free Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR) training for students to recognize the warning signs that someone may be struggling and how to connect them to support. There will also be therapy dogs on campus on Wednesday and a promotion of resources like the new Palomar Health Student Wellness Center. Chris Burden, assistant vice president of wellness, can speak to the full range of wellness services being offered, including mental health programs, peer support and campus-wide engagement efforts.
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High-Tech Classroom Provides Nurses with Flexible Education
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One of the biggest shortages in hospital staffing is among nursing specialists and leadership. A new USD program is working to address those needs while making education more accessible. It’s called HyFlex, and it’s a first-of-its-kind, high-tech classroom in the region that allows busy, working nurses to pursue advanced degrees without stepping away from patient care. HyFlex uses special cameras, microphones and screens to place virtual students inside of the classroom in real-time. Dr. Sheree Scott, director of USD’s Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) programs, is available to talk about the new program and how it will help more working nurses in our region. B-Roll and interviews about the program are available here.
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Remembering Victims of 9/11
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On Thursday, the USD community is coming together to honor the victims of the September 11th attacks. At 8:30 A.M., USD will host a remembrance and interfaith prayer for peace, featuring an NROTC unit and a variety of faith leaders. Michael Lovette-Colyer, vice president of mission integration, is available for interviews at the event. Then, throughout the day, USD’s Military and Veterans Program will be organizing a stair climb challenge at USD’s Palomar Health Student Wellness Center. The campus community will be invited to climb 110 floors to honor the courage and sacrifice of 9/11 first responders.
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* Please note that times of availability will vary according to professors' schedules.
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"At the Edge of It All" Podcast:
Providing Hope: A Conversation on Suicide Prevention
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Wednesday is World Suicide Prevention Day. And, to help raise awareness, we sat down with Chris Burden, assistant vice president of wellness and a clinical psychologist, to discuss the suicide prevention resources available to the community and how to connect loved ones to support. Burden also shared how the University of San Diego is in the JED Foundation campus program, a national program that promotes emotional health and educates campuses on suicide prevention, and what that looks like in the wellness offerings provided to students on campus. Listen here Wednesday.
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Office of Media Relations
University of San Diego
5998 Alcalá Park, San Diego, CA 92110
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