Seattle University Hosts Annual 'Project Positive' Mental Health Campaign

UREC's weeklong event promotes wellness, self-acceptance and inclusivity through outdoor activities and mindfulness sessions.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Seattle University Recreation (UREC) recently hosted its annual 'Project Positive' mental health campaign, this year with the theme 'Chart Your Own Path.' The weeklong event featured a variety of activities and events aimed at encouraging students to have positive outlooks on life, practice mindfulness, and explore the outdoors. The program has evolved over the years to be more inclusive, focusing on both body positivity and body neutrality based on student feedback.

Why it matters

Project Positive is an important initiative that provides Seattle University students with resources and opportunities to prioritize their mental health and overall wellbeing. By expanding the program to be more inclusive of the Cornish student community and highlighting diverse voices in outdoor recreation, UREC is working to make the events and facilities accessible and welcoming to all.

The details

Project Positive featured a range of events throughout the week, including sound baths, e-sports gaming sessions, chaos board crafting, cycling classes, and hikes. One standout event was a screening of the 5Point Film Festival, which showcased impactful stories from diverse storytellers focused on themes of commitment, respect, humility, purpose, and balance. UREC aimed to give a platform to individuals who are typically underrepresented in outdoor recreation.

  • Project Positive took place during the week of February 20-26, 2026.

The players

Henry March

A third-year finance major and outdoor leader at UREC who appreciates the inclusivity of the Project Positive event.

Kevin Sutton

The assistant director of UREC Outdoors, who said the focus of Project Positive shifted to be more inclusive after receiving student feedback.

Ricardo Bernabe Francisco

A second-year accounting major who was attending his first Project Positive event, intrigued by the 5Point Film Festival.

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What they’re saying

“Whether you want to just show up and watch a film festival or you want to play Battleship in the pool, there really is a wide range.”

— Henry March, third-year finance major and outdoor leader at UREC (Seattle Spectator)

“Some of the feedback that we got was that not everyone loves their body. We wanted to change it to be more inclusive. So it's now both body positivity, but also body neutrality, because we recognize that not everyone's happy with their body.”

— Kevin Sutton, assistant director of UREC Outdoors (Seattle Spectator)

“For those of you who don't know me, I am a six-foot-tall, white-bearded guy, cisgender male. I recognize that I have all of the privileges in the world. So, trying to branch out and give space and time and voice to the people who have been marginalized, both intentionally and unintentionally.”

— Kevin Sutton, assistant director of UREC Outdoors (Seattle Spectator)

What’s next

UREC plans to continue expanding Project Positive to be more inclusive of the Cornish student community and further highlight diverse voices in outdoor recreation.

The takeaway

Project Positive demonstrates Seattle University's commitment to supporting student mental health and wellness through inclusive programming that encourages mindfulness, self-acceptance, and exploration of the outdoors.