University of Tennessee System Launches Wayhaven

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MARTIN, TN – September 10, 2026 –

The University of Tennessee System has launched Wayhaven, beginning with the University of Tennessee at Martin, to enhance student wellness through the integration of a 24/7 evidence-informed AI Coach. This initiative, spearheaded by Chief Wellness Officer Dr. Jessi Gold and UTM's Director of Health Services Allison Castleman, involves collaboration with key university departments such as Housing, Student Involvement, Accessibility, Student Success, and First-Year Experience.

Faced with the challenge that most students struggling with stressors rarely reach the appropriate campus resources due to barriers like mismatch in service hours or uncertainty about where to seek help, Wayhaven offers a solution. The platform provides a low-barrier first line of support, guiding students to the existing resources available on campus. Developed in collaboration with licensed clinical psychologists, Wayhaven's AI Coach is trained to support students in coping with everyday stressors and campus concerns.

Dr. Jessi Gold, Chief Wellness Officer at University of Tennessee shared, "We've been hearing a lot about student use of AI in the wellness and mental health space across our campuses in the University of Tennessee System, in line with the national discourse, with students mentioning AI as a 'better' option than a counselor and even using it as a friend. As a psychiatrist that concerned me and I am excited to see UT Martin pilot a potential proactive solution with Wayhaven. In this pilot, UTM isn't telling students they can't use AI, because that won't work, but with Wayhaven, they are hoping that the use is safer, more integrated into campus with flags for serious mental health concerns, and helps making navigating resources easier for students on their rural campus. I am excited to see what we learn from this pilot experience that can help the rest of our campuses across the state better understand the need in this area and the impact of an intervention to address it."

Wayhaven is designed to integrate seamlessly with each campus's ecosystem, delivering tailored responses and connections to student clubs and event, as well as local resources such as counseling center hours and peer support programs. The platform's Well-Being AI is specifically trained to address student questions and facilitate connections to support systems, significantly reducing the barriers to obtaining help.

"Our partnership with UT Martin represents a significant step toward improving student access to wellness resources," said Christine Nicodemus at Wayhaven. "Wayhaven bridges the gap between students and the services they need, offering a personalized experience tailored to each campus."

With the rollout at UT Martin, students now have access to a first line of support that is both accessible and informed by psychological expertise, ensuring they have the tools to manage their academic and personal challenges effectively.

For more information about how Wayhaven is enhancing student wellness at UT Martin, visit wayhaven.com.

About Wayhaven

Wayhaven provides Campus AI designed for college students, offering 24/7 evidence-informed support for common challenges and helping students get plugged in on campus and navigate campus resources. Designed in collaboration with licensed clinical psychologists, Wayhaven's AI Coach draws on evidence-based practices to help students process emotions, build coping skills, and find timely answers to personal and academic stressors. The platform integrates with each campus's local ecosystem, surfacing relevant resources such as counseling center hours and peer support programs. Wayhaven partners with colleges and universities to give students a low-barrier first line of support and a clearer path to the human help their campus already provides. Learn more at wayhaven.com.

Media Contact:

Christine Nicodemus

Email: info@wayhaven.com

Phone: 6512451276

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wayhaven

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