Who We Are

Growing Healthy Minds, Bodies, and Communities was founded in 2018 by a team of interdisciplinary researchers in education, nutrition, and psychology at the University of Mississippi which has expanded over the years to include our partner schools, community, and families as part of the team. As a research-based innovative Pre-K4 whole child program the GHMBC team continuously works alongside teachers, families, schools, and communities to integrate yoga/mindfulness, gardening/nutrition, social-emotional learning, and physical activity into schools and communities to support children’s well-being.

The Growing Healthy Minds, Bodies, and Communities program aims to address the opportunity gap for young children, utilizing a holistic approach that focuses on providing equitable access to high-quality educational experiences and enrichment opportunities for ALL students. By addressing the opportunity gap through a long-term and sustainable solution that ensures all children have access to enriching educational experiences, we can help level the playing field and support the success and well-being of all young learners.

GHMBC Vision

Nourishing the Well-Being of Each Child

Meet the Project Team

Alicia C. Stapp, Ed.D.

PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Assistant Department Chair, Teacher Education
Associate Professor of Health and Physical Education, University of Mississippi,
Department of Teacher Education
acstapp@olemiss.edu
Kenya Wolff, Ph.D.

PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Associate Professor of Early Childhood
Co-Director of the Graduate Center for the Study of Early Learning, University of Mississippi,
Department of Teacher Education
kewolff@olemiss.edu
Laurel Lambert, Ph.D.

PROJECT COLLABORATOR
Associate Professor of Nutrition and Hospitality Management, Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist, University of Mississippi, Department of Nutrition and Hospitality Management
lambertl@olemiss.edu
Stephanie Miller, Ph.D.

PROJECT COLLABORATOR
Associate Professor, Director of Experimental Psychology Graduate Program, and Provost Faculty Research Scholar for Institutional Transformation, University of Mississippi, Department of Psychology
semille5@olemiss.edu
Biju Rajbhandari, M.A.

GRADUATE STUDENT
Experimental Psychology, University of Mississippi
brajbhan@go.olemiss.edu
Isabella Liberto, B.A.Ed

GRADUATE STUDENT
Early Childhood Education, University of Mississippi
iflibert@go.olemiss.edu
Kelsey Partlow, B.A.Ed

GRADUATE STUDENT
Elementary Education, University of Mississippi
knpartlo@go.olemiss.edu