November 15, 2024
HACKETTSTOWN, NJ, November 15, 2024 — In a turbulent presidential election year, Berkeley Heights Mayor Angie Devanney has chosen to promote happiness and wellness over discord. She is betting that instead of focusing on negativity, people are ready to join together and be happy again.
In her annual state of the township reorganization meeting last January, Devanney announced two key initiatives, one professional and one personal: First, Devanney pledged to establish a Mayor’s Wellness Committee to promote better physical and emotional well-being among residents and township organizations. Then, she mentioned that she was enrolling in Centenary University’s Master of Arts in Happiness Studies program.
“I told people that we were going to be the happiest town in Union County,” said Devanney, who was elected mayor in 2018. “At first, I was a little fearful that people would see my vision as hokey, but the Centenary master’s program, which was created by a former Harvard professor, lent it some credibility.”
It turns out that Devanney’s instinct was right. So many residents from all walks of life signed on to the committee, which is affiliated with the New Jersey Department of Health, that Devanney had to expand its membership. Recognizing that local leaders can be effective champions of community health and wellness, the committee seeks to provide outreach, education, and technical assistance to implement initiatives for youth, seniors, township employees, and others in the general community.
Centenary University made history last May, when it awarded the world’s first Master of Arts in Happiness Studies to 87 graduates from 13 countries who had enrolled in the program’s first cohort. Grounded in science and research, the virtual academic program is directed by Tal Ben-Shahar, Ph.D., an internationally recognized expert in the field. The program’s interdisciplinary approach incorporates aspects of diverse disciplines—psychology, philosophy, neuroscience, finance, business, literature, coaching, religion, music, and more—to explore the implications of happiness for individuals, the workplace, and our broader society.
Devanney’s experiences in the Centenary master’s program have informed positive changes to her personal life, as well as her role as mayor. “My courses at Centenary have elevated my life in ways I never imagined,” explained Devanney. “The concept of happiness interfaces with everything in life, and I’ve learned interventions to incorporate every day to make my life happier. For instance, I now walk—rather than drive—the mile to town hall every day.”
Almost a year into Devanney’s plan, her broader vision is taking shape. Already, the Mayor’s Wellness Committee has launched a program in local schools to provide care kits for children experiencing anxiety and stress, and Devanney is incorporating the SPIRE Model of Happiness—which focuses on spiritual, physical, intellectual, relational, and emotional wellbeing—developed by Dr. Ben-Shahar into township operations. Inspired by a class assignment on the Blue Zones lifestyle featured in a recent Netflex docuseries, Devanney is also laying the groundwork to enhance elements of healthful living locally that experts say extend lifespans in Blue Zones communities around the world. “In conjunction with the Mayor’s Wellness Committee, my vision for 2025 is to bring Berkeley Heights closer to becoming a Blue Zone,” Devanney explained. “That’s a very immediate example of how I’m implementing my happiness degree in the township.”
In class, Devanney recently examined a University of North Dakota study that found 91 percent of participants on opposite sides of the political aisle agree on more issues than they disagree on. After completing the study, an overwhelming majority responded that they’d have a cup of coffee with someone they’d formerly considered an opponent. Devanney sees this playing out in real time in Berkeley Heights: “That study underscores what’s happening in my community. I’m a Democratic mayor in a Republican town. There are three Republicans and three Democrats on the council. We may not agree on everything, but we work together. We’ve found that things like happiness and wellness transcend politics and we’re pulling together for a common goal.
“We’re living proof that this isn’t just a theory. It’s not a political agenda or my personal agenda—we all believe truly in our hearts that we are there to make a difference. I think that’s a message that could change the national tone right now.”
ABOUT CENTENARY UNIVERSITY
Centenary University offers extraordinary learning opportunities that empower students to develop intellectually, emotionally, and interculturally—keys to career and personal success. Under the leadership of President Dale Caldwell, Ed.D., the University aspires to advance its reputation as a world class institution offering innovative programs, including the world’s first Master of Arts in Happiness Studies, to lift the future for our students and local communities.
CONTACT
Kristen Volkland
Erbach Communications Group
(201) 960-3102