Bowie State University News September 23, 2015 Scholars Studio Students Explore Mindfulness, Social Inequity Innovative Learning Communities Challenge BSU Students with Hands-on Projects (BOWIE, Md.) - Bowie State University freshman aiming to pursue careers in healthcare investigate how activities like yoga or meditation can benefit their future patients as part of Scholars Studio<http://www.scholarsstudio.com/>, the university's innovative learning community for first-time students. This semester, 100 freshmen, divided into four cohorts, will engage in transformative learning experiences by taking classes together that explore a central topic. Since 2010, Scholars Studio has provided incoming freshmen with innovative opportunities for hands-on, interdisciplinary study. The Mind Your Body scholars are learning how mindfulness practices have the potential to reduce stress, increase concentration and improve brain functioning. Through their personal exploration of these techniques, they will learn how they can teach others how to engage in these practices to facilitate their healing process. >From Sept. 29-30, the BSU community will have the opportunity to explore these themes and how the practices can be applied to a collective wellness during the Mind-Body Code Conference<http://www.bowiestate.edu/academics-research/scholars-studio/mind-body-code-conference/>, led by biocognitive science pioneer Dr. Mario Martinez. On Tuesday, Sept. 29, the campus community is encouraged to put these themes into practice through in pre-conference activities, such as yoga, tai chi and a drumming circle on the quad. The Mind Your Body students will meet with former NFL Pro-Bowler and mindfulness advocate Keith Mitchell during his campus residency from Oct. 26-31. They will also travel to The University of Rochester Medical Center to meet doctors and nurses who have introduced their patients to mindfulness practice. The other Scholars Studio community, the Business of Change, challenges students to consider how social change can be affected by the entrepreneurial spirit. As they explore how social structures can promote inequity, these students will connect with socially conscious businesses and develop ideas for their own. This month, they participated in Impact Hub DC's Social Innovation Festival 2015. At the end of the semester, they will pitch their business ideas to BSU faculty, business leader and investors. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-702-5854 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.