Podcast 142 – Beth McCuskey
SUMMARY
“This Is Purdue,” the official podcast for Purdue University, highlights stories about Boilermakers from across all disciplines, who through research, innovation and determination, have persistently pursued their next giant leap.
Hosted by Purdue University alum, Brian Lamb School of Communication graduate, and Indiana native Kate Young, “This Is Purdue” aims to examine all of the incredible accomplishments of Boilermakers and their contributions to the world.
Below, you’ll find helpful information, stories, and social media content regarding this episode of “This Is Purdue.”
STRATEGY
In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Beth McCuskey, Purdue’s vice provost for student life.
Beth is a national thought leader on student mental health and has worked in higher education for over 30 years. She co-authored the upcoming book titled “The Oxford Handbook of Well-Being in Higher Education,” which explores why wellness is critical in higher education. During her time at Purdue, she’s prioritized advocating for Boilermakers’ well-being journeys with key university investment and participation from faculty and staff.
In this episode, you will:
- Learn more about the state of well-being for younger generations and why it’s important to meet students where they are to help them flourish inside and outside of the classroom.
- Discover how adults — like parents, coaches and mentors — can normalize failure and nurture well-being for Gen Z and Gen Alpha students and why that can help build vital life skills, like resilience, and prepare students to be successful in college.
- Hear more about how well-being and mental health have evolved from millennials to Gen Z to Gen Alpha and how technology, like smartphones and now AI, is playing a vital role in shaping student needs.
- Find out more about learning loss during the pandemic and Purdue Student Life’s innovative Steps to Leaps framework, which increased access to campus mental health resources and institutionalized well-being and was recognized by Forbes in 2025.
You don’t want to miss this episode with a campus leader who’s transforming student mental health and well-being advocacy at Purdue and beyond.
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Link to the podcast: https://stories.purdue.edu/podcast/beth-mccuskey
General podcast page: https://stories.purdue.edu/podcast/
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-is-purdue/id1496040232
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1npQBIaTzFnCvDlzeiNV7j?si=h0K1NkdwTMeu-MlzckGaHw
AVAILABLE ASSETS
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SUGGESTED SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS
Facebook:
- With social media being ever present and now with the rise of AI, mental health and well-being look different for Gen Z and Gen Alpha students. 📲 🌱 On the latest episode of #ThisIsPurdue, Beth McCuskey, Purdue’s vice provost for student life, offers her expert tips for parents, mentors and coaches looking to foster well-being for their students and prepare them to flourish in college. She also discussed what younger generations need right now, from increased access to mental health resources to resilience-building skills, and how Purdue has implemented these on an institutional level. Listen today 🎧: <link>
- Normalizing failure can help younger generations thrive in college. And it all starts with having a strong support network. 🔒 🤗 Beth McCuskey, Purdue’s vice provost for student life, shares her research-based thoughts on #ThisIsPurdue. Listen to her full episode to learn more: <link>
LinkedIn:
- In 2025, @forbes-magazine recognized Purdue for its success in institutionalizing student well-being and mental health. 🚀 On the new episode of #ThisIsPurdue, @beth-mccuskey-8a490822, Purdue’s vice provost for student life, student wellness expert and author, breaks down how AI and social media are transforming the way Gen Z and Gen Alpha approach mental health and well-being compared to previous generations. She also unpacks how the pandemic shaped college students’ conflict-resolution skills and why the feeling of belongingness has become critical. You don’t want to miss this insightful interview. 🔍 Listen to the full episode now: <link>
X:
- Purdue is putting student well-being at the forefront. 🧠 🤝 Beth McCuskey, vice provost for student life, shares what Gen Z and Gen Alpha need now when it comes to wellness on #ThisIsPurdue. Listen: <link>
- Resilience is crucial for college students. But how can you flex that muscle? 💪 On the new episode of #ThisIsPurdue, Beth McCuskey, vice provost for student life, addresses how Purdue is helping cultivate this skill. 🎧: <link>
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