Self-Care Practices and Perceptions of Holistic Health Among Selected Educational Leadership Graduate Students Attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities

The paper presentation is composed of preliminary findings from a research design developed for a holistic health intervention that was implemented during a professional development activity with participants (e.g., students and faculty) of an Educational Leadership doctoral program at a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). It is critical to develop a cadre of educational leaders with the capacity to understand the significant role self-care and holistic health play in academic achievement and student success. Future leaders of educational institutions may have the power and influence to support holistic health initiatives and implement institutional policies and procedures that assist in creating environments that promote positive health and wellness while encouraging self-care practices. The paper presentation seeks to share preliminary findings that instigated the development of a dissertation proposal design. Also, the presentation will explore the lived self-care and holistic health experiences of session attendees