Women
In Higher Education

Marguerite O’Brien (she, her, hers) received a B.A. in International Studies and a master’s in social work from the University of South Carolina. Marguerite has worked in student affairs and student health for 16 years and is active in the field, serving as a Member at Large on the American College Health Association Board of Directors. She also serves on the ACHA Title IX task force, the Healthy Campus Committee, the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Accessibility Committee, the Community College Coalition, and the Faculty/Staff Coalition. She currently serves as the Manager of Well-Being Initiatives at Coastal Carolina University.

Marguerite’s research and practice interests include de-stigmatizing mental health and help-seeking behaviors, enhancing one’s capacity to self-regulate, and building a mindfulness practice. She is also interested in how mindfulness techniques can help people who deal with anxiety choose a different coping mechanism. Marguerite is also interested in researching the impact of wellness techniques on a student’s sense of belonging and retention.

Marguerite has been in the wellness and fitness industry for 35 years and is a certified personal trainer and fitness/Yoga instructor. Her areas of interest include empowering people to become the best version of themselves, promoting the well-being of body, mind, and spirit, and using a social justice lens to inform her work. Marguerite is trained in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), and True Colors™ and regularly facilitates workshops on these models.