Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) Service Learning Projects
Each spring, MAPP students "give positive psychology away" by undertaking various service learning projects as a part of their coursework. Working in small groups, students study particular non-profit organizations, conduct literature reviews, then create Application Plans for how the organizations can apply positive psychology. This allows worthy non-profit organizations who might not have the funds to hire positive psychology consultants to benefit from the application of positive psychology.
If you are a MAPP student or graduate and would like to have your MAPP 702 Service Learning Project uploaded onto this site, please submit your project and make sure that each of the authors submits an Author Agreement form.
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Publication The Connection Cookbook: 3 Positive Application Recipes for Volunteers at Face to Face(2025-05-07) Mary Anderson, Landree Salazar, Taylor Siegal, Don ThiryThe Connection Cookbook is a curated set of interventions designed to generate momentum in volunteer engagement at Face to Face, a nonprofit organization serving the unhoused population in Germantown, Philadelphia. The initiative emphasizes strengthening connections through enhanced communication, interaction, structure, and recognition. From a menu of evidence-informed options, Face to Face selected three core strategies to implement: a quarterly email newsletter, structured rituals to open and close volunteer shifts, and a volunteer appreciation event. The accompanying "Cookbook" includes sample newsletter content, templates for rituals, an event agenda, evaluation guidance, and additional unselected intervention options for future consideration. These strategies are low-cost, relatively simple to execute, and can be delegated mainly to members of Face to Face's robust yet underutilized volunteer base—thereby minimizing the additional burden on the already overstretched Volunteer Manager at Face to Face.Publication Midland Area Coalition Wellbeing Leadership Training Intervention(2025-05-07) Vivien Tai, Sean Brennan, Derrek Cooper, Cameron MadillThe Midland Area Wellbeing Coalition aims to foster individual, workplace, and community wellbeing. To support this mission, we designed the Leader Wellbeing Training (LWT), a research-based intervention equipping leaders to embed wellbeing practices within their organizations. Grounded in positive psychology, the LWT integrates the PEMRAH framework, the U.S. Surgeon General’s Framework for Workplace Mental Health & Well-being, and the APA’s Psychologically Healthy Workplace model. Through a three-part workshop series, leaders engage in experiential learning, strengths-based reflection, and systems-informed approaches to drive sustainable culture change. The program emphasizes psychological safety, modeling vulnerability, and practical application, empowering leaders to cultivate environments where employees can thrive. This paper describes the Coalition’s context, relevant literature, and the intervention’s design, while addressing limitations such as time constraints, cultural resistance, and sustainability challenges. We propose the next steps for piloting and scaling the program, with a focus on continuous improvement and measurable outcomes. By educating and empowering leaders, this initiative advances the Coalition’s vision of creating a thriving, inclusive community where everyone feels good, struggles well, and functions effectively.Publication Midland Area Coalition Wellbeing Leadership Training Intervention(2025-05-06) Vivien Tai, Sean Brennan, Derrek Cooper, Cameron MadillThe Midland Area Wellbeing Coalition aims to foster individual, workplace, and community wellbeing. To support this mission, we designed the Leader Wellbeing Training (LWT), a research-based intervention equipping leaders to embed wellbeing practices within their organizations. Grounded in positive psychology, the LWT integrates the PEMRAH framework, the U.S. Surgeon General’s Framework for Workplace Mental Health & Well-being, and the APA’s Psychologically Healthy Workplace model. Through a three-part workshop series, leaders engage in experiential learning, strengths-based reflection, and systems-informed approaches to drive sustainable culture change. The program emphasizes psychological safety, modeling vulnerability, and practical application, empowering leaders to cultivate environments where employees can thrive. This paper describes the Coalition’s context, relevant literature, and the intervention’s design, while addressing limitations such as time constraints, cultural resistance, and sustainability challenges. We propose the next steps for piloting and scaling the program, with a focus on continuous improvement and measurable outcomes. By educating and empowering leaders, this initiative advances the Coalition’s vision of creating a thriving, inclusive community where everyone feels good, struggles well, and functions effectively.Publication Fostering Employee Well-Being in Nonprofits: Positive Psychology Interventions to Address Burnout and Cultivate Resilience at Building One Community(2024-05) Antonio, Christopher; Dill-Word, Antonio; Klymenko, Alla; Shahi, AvaThis paper focuses on enhancing the well-being of employees within a non-profit organization, B1C, dedicated to serving the immigrant community. Through the lens of positive psychology, our objective was to provide insights and interventions to support the well-being of B1C employees in fulfilling the organization's mission. Despite the positive impact of nonprofits, challenges such as burnout and compassion fatigue are prevalent among its workforce due to the insatiable demand for services, resource deficits, and the passionate nature of the individuals drawn to this work. The exemplary B1C organization demonstrates flexibility, compassion, and commitment yet struggles with compassion fatigue, hopelessness, and issues with self-efficacy. To address these challenges, our interventions encompassed three critical efforts. First, we designed and delivered a 60-minute workshop introducing Character Strengths to B1C employees. Second, we implemented a Character Strengths Spotting Wall to reinforce the concepts introduced in the workshop. Lastly, we initiated a six-month-long staff interaction program called the Hope Buddy Circuit to foster peer support and resilience-building. By employing a strengths-based approach and peer support model, our interventions aim to combat compassion fatigue and promote the overall well-being of B1C employees, ultimately enhancing their ability to serve the immigrant community effectively.Publication Positive Leadership at CHRIS 180: Leveraging Positive Psychology to Weather Uncertain Times(2024-05-06) Uman Borrero, Gaia; Diamond, Shea; Emambakhsh, Sahar; Gott, NielsThis project examines the integration of positive psychology into leadership development at CHRIS 180, a non-profit organization providing trauma-informed care. CHRIS 180 has undergone significant growth, necessitating a leadership approach that aligns with its core values of creativity, honor, respect, integrity, and safety. The intervention employs the PERMA model, which emphasizes positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment, to enhance the leadership capabilities within the organization. Results from the implementation suggest that positive psychology can significantly improve leadership development, leading to a more resilient and effective organizational culture. The implications of this work are profound, indicating that positive psychology interventions can be instrumental for organizations in managing rapid growth and mitigating the risks of burnout and compassion fatigue. This approach could serve as a model for similar organizations aiming to foster a supportive and thriving environment amidst challenging circumstances. Keywords: positive psychology, leadership development, trauma-informed care, PERMA, organizational growth, compassion fatigue, character strengths, communication strategies, crisis management, wraparound services, psychological safety, matteringPublication Collective Efficacy in Action: Community Growing Community at Generation Pledge(2024-06-01) Godley, Jason; Looney, Sonya; Miller, Jeff; Zaidi, SolatThe Collective Efficacy in Action: Community Growing Community (CG) at Generation Pledge (GP) program is a 12-month plan designed to support cohort members of the CGC to advance the mission of GP. GP is a not-for-profit services organization with a unique mission: to act as a trusted advisor to inheritors of material wealth who are inspired to make considerable donations of their resources toward creating a better world – in other words, GP helps inheritors navigate the complexities of making an impact. The CGC comprises a subset of GP members who are interested in further advancing the vision and mission of GP through the CGC. The 12-month program utilizes the positive psychology construct of collective efficacy as its theory of change model and the program comprises two sections that build upon each other: i) the activation planning phase and ii) the activation phase. The activation planning phase guides members through a process to prepare an individualized, written activation plan that members can leverage and execute against during the activation phase. The program comprises 12 monthly meetings, each with a specific agenda including positive interventions tailored for improving collective efficacy, a workbook to guide members in documenting the activation plan, along with related support materials to guide GP in its curation of the meetings.Publication Strengths Based Leading: Leveraging Character Strengths to Improve Staff Well-Being(2024-05) Bolaji, Jacquesline; Hover, Harry; Rice, Leneice; Wong, AnnaStrengths-Based Leading is a well-being initiative designed to enhance the well-being and engagement of staff at the Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS), part of the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitation Services (DARS). This intervention addresses professional challenges such as burnout and compassion fatigue by fostering work engagement through the implementation of VIA character strengths. Our approach includes administering the VIA Survey, conducting character strengths workshops, and encouraging strengths-spotting. We also outline strategies for sustaining this initiative long-term. By leveraging character strengths, we aim to improve job satisfaction, strengthen interpersonal relationships, and enhance both client interactions and organizational effectiveness, as measured by the Gallup Q12 Survey.Publication Character Strengths and Well-being: Advancing the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Compass Program Case Management(2024-05-06) Rindos, Justin; Howard, Joshua; Donaldson, BrianaGiven the complex challenges of living with cystic fibrosis (CF) and the intense demands it places on Compass case managers (CCMs) at the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) who support the CF community, this study explored the integration of positive psychology interventions to enhance CCM well-being. CFF’s Compass program provides crucial support to individuals battling CF, focusing on personalized assistance through insurance, financial, and legal challenges. Despite the invaluable support they provide, CCMs face significant emotional and logistical stresses that can impact their mental health and job satisfaction. This study recommends implementing positive psychology practices to develop and spot character strengths, foster high-quality connections, and support resilience to improve CCMs’ well-being and mitigate the risk of burnout. The implications of these recommendations suggest that such positive psychology interventions are essential for maintaining the health of the Compass workforce by improving CCM subjective well-being through enhanced resilience and satisfaction. This approach underscores the necessity of comprehensive strategies in highly stressful situations where emotional demands and lack of viable positive outcomes are extreme.Publication The Green Bridge: Designing a Connected Alumni Network of Climate Innovators and Leaders(2024-05-14) Adams, Noah; Choksi, Vishwas; Masters, Juad; Peterson, MollyThe Wild Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in the Adirondacks, is dedicated to fostering a sustainable relationship between humans and nature. Although its Youth Climate Program and signature annual Youth Climate Summit have successfully empowered young climate leaders, the absence of an active alumni network has hindered broader community engagement and long-term impact. This paper proposes organizing an Appreciative Inquiry (AI) Summit as a strategic, strength-based approach to establish the Youth Climate Summit Alumni Network. By employing the AI 4D cycle—Discovery, Dream, Design, Destiny—the Summit aims to gather all relevant stakeholders in a comprehensive, collaborative process to establish a robust network. The AI Summit Handbook, detailed as an appendix in this paper, provides guidance to facilitate the Summit effectively. It includes foundational theory, structured activities, and practical templates for each phase of the 4-D cycle. This comprehensive resource is a scalable tool for broader adaptation, which serves as a model for other organizations to replicate the process, thereby fostering sustainable impact across communities. The overall anticipated outcome of the AI Summit is the creation of a thriving alumni network that amplifies The Wild Center’s influence on climate advocacy. Significantly, this initiative demonstrates how strategic applications of positive psychology, such as Appreciative Inquiry, can serve as a replicable model for other organizations, enhancing their ability to mobilize and empower themselves to effectively establish their own alumni networks.Publication The Leadership Edge: Empowering Non-Profit Leaders of the Future(2024-05-14) Blyler, Abigail; Cepeda, Daniela; Kneis, Corinne; Russo, Carla Herreria; Schaffer, IleneAtlas Service Corps, Inc. (Atlas Corps) is dedicated to driving global social change by providing international nonprofit leaders, known as Fellows with exceptional educational and occupational opportunities. However, Atlas Fellows face challenges during their cultural transition and adjustment process, impacting their leadership development and sense of connection to the Atlas Corps community. Drawing upon the theory and research in positive psychology theory, this project proposes an evidence-based approach to enhance fellows' leadership competencies and foster a stronger sense of belonging within the organization. The program, delivered through psychoeducational videos and facilitated discussions, focuses on cultivating self-efficacy, resilience, and interpersonal connection. It targets key areas of growth through positive psychology interventions such as cognitive reframing techniques, character strengths exploration, and a visualization exercise to harness optimism and hope about the future to encourage optimal goal pursuit. By integrating these interventions within the Atlas Corps framework, this project aims to support fellows' personal and professional growth while strengthening the bonds within the community. As Atlas Corps continues to adapt to the needs of its diverse community, the application of evidence-based interventions and the cultivation of a culture of well-being and connection will be essential to its ongoing success in developing global leaders.