Honors College Graduate First to Complete the

Mindfulness-Based Emotional and Social Intelligence (MESI) Certificate

By Linda Infranco
January 2021

 

Last month, the Honors College at Washington State University celebrated the academic achievements of the fall graduating class at its virtual commencement ceremony. Among the students honored was Jordyn Brounstein, who in addition to her degree, had another achievement to celebrate: She is the first student to complete the requirements of Honors’ MESI Certificate.

MESI, or Mindfulness-Based Emotional and Social Intelligence, is a certificate offered by Honors that focuses on the value of engagement and provides students with the tools to address overall wellbeing through self-awareness, self-management, empathy, and compassion. Established in 2018 by a gift from Jon and Gretchen Jones, the MESI Certificate is an approved university certificate that requires students to fulfill 15-credited MESI courses in the humanities and social and natural sciences, attend workshops, and engage in local and/or global service-learning activities.

Both trained in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) from the University of Massachusetts Center for Mindfulness, Robin Bond, assistant dean, and Lydia Gerber, director of MESI, established collaborative partnerships with academic and central units across campus including the Department of Human Development and WSU’s Center for Civic Engagement. Through these relationships, Honors will broaden the menu of diverse MESI offerings to enrich students’ personal and professional growth while at the same time making MESI a well-recognized name across the WSU system.

“There has been a lot of enthusiasm from many areas of the university for promoting the core ideas and benefits of MESI,” said Bond. “As a result, we are discovering new opportunities for collaboration between the Honors College and other units.”

Brounstein, who received her degree with majors in Psychology and Human Development, will apply her skills and MESI training to her career as a clinical assistant at a residential treatment facility for teens in her home state of California. Brounstein shared that MESI not only helped her in the interview process but contributed to a higher starting salary.

“MESI courses have taught me how to better take care of my mental health and inspired me to pursue the career path that I hope to build for myself,” she says.

The MESI Certificate in Honors teaches the academic principles of self-care which was not only important to Brounstein personally who, as an Honors student, “was always on the go and trying to achieve more,” but will help in her role working with young people in treatment.

“Self-care is a really important part of MESI. It has given me the space to work on myself through mindfulness training, journaling, and creating boundaries. I introduced MESI to my friends and now they are benefitting from it as well.”

“Jordyn’s enthusiasm for MESI has been infectious,” said Gerber. “As our first graduate, she literally embodies the qualities emphasized in our certificate.”

Brounstein sees the value of MESI for students of all majors.

“The MESI framework not only helps students care for themselves and others, but through training in emotional competence, also improves their relationships at work.” The MESI Certificate gives students a unique toolbox to seek a growth mindset in how we approach our daily lives – ultimately impacting a much wider community.

Additional courses in conflict resolution and relationships will be offered as part of the MESI Certificate in Honors beginning spring semester 2021