MC Wellness
Montgomery College is committed to fostering a culture of well-being that encompasses emotional, environmental, intellectual, occupational, physical, social, and spiritual wellness. Our inclusive wellness program is available to active and retired faculty, staff, and spouses.
We welcome you to:
- embrace a world of possibilities with MC Wellness designed to nurture your mind and body
- experience the thrill of in-person and virtual fitness sessions
- find inner peace through mind-body classes
- indulge in healthy cooking demonstrations that tantalize your taste buds
- engage in wellness challenges, enlightening webinars, and health screenings
- discover a wealth of transformative experiences that go beyond expectations
At Montgomery College, we go above and beyond to prioritize employee wellness. Benefit-eligible
employees may receive up to 1.5 hours a week to engage in activities (PDF, ) that enhance your well-being, ensuring a healthier work environment. Through the
MC Employee Assistance Program (EAP) , you can receive reimbursement for attending wellness classes, such as gym memberships
and Weight Watchers, with a minimum requirement of 10 sessions per month or 75% participation.
To further support your wellness journey, we have established partnerships with leading fitness and wellness companies. These collaborations offer exclusive discounted memberships, empowering you to access premium resources at a fraction of the cost.
Unlock your full potential through our dedicated wellness program. Together, let's
embark on a transformative journey towards holistic well-being, enriching every aspect
of your life.
Registration for MC Wellness is required annually, and includes access to classes,
locker rooms, and the campus open gym.
To enroll, MC employees must register for MC Wellness new windowand complete the required formnew window.
A healthy anti-inflammatory cooking demonstration with nutritionist Alana Sugar on December 7
Thursday, December 7 | noon–1 p.m | Central Services (CT) S108 BOT Gallery
Healthy cooking demonstrations, anti-inflammatory foods, and recipes. Come prepared
to learn, sample the food, or join us on Zoom.new window
Passcode: YUMMY
Enjoy a healthy anti-inflammatory food cooking demonstration on December 13
Relax and unwind as we bring the soothing sounds of a live piano player and singer directly to you via Zoomnew window. Bring your song requests and enjoy the soothing melodies from the comfort of your own space.
Get Rewarded
Benefit-Eligible Employees: Get Rewarded for Your Preventative Care!
Enter the Monthly Rafflenew window to win gift cards for your dental cleaning and physical exam!
FY24 MC Wellness Class Schedule
Prioritize your health and happiness with our wellness classes, carefully crafted
to enhance your well-being in 35-45 minute sessions. Complete and submit the Staff Request for Time Off for Wellness Activities Form (PDF, ) . For disability-related accommodations, please contact Megan Cooperman.
Please note that the fall schedule will conclude on Friday, December 15, and the last
class will end at 1 p.m.
Please contact Megan Cooperman to secure the Zoom password.
Toning, Core, and Stretch with Megan
A combination of low-impact muscular conditioning, mat Pilates core exercises on the
floor, and gentle stretches to help you with strength, stamina, and overall well-being.
What you will need: Dumbbells weighing 2-8 pounds and a yoga mat.
Noon
Join Zoomnew window Meeting
Meeting ID: 874 277 9389
15-Minute Movement Break
Includes movements and stretches from the Arthritis Foundation to increase mobility,
help your joints, and support your overall well-being.
3–3:15 p.m.
Join Zoomnew window Meeting
Meeting ID: 874 277 9389
Total Body Conditioning with Abril
An effective, comprehensive, balanced, and well-sequenced workout. It is a perfect
combination of low-impact cardio, muscular conditioning, and core-strengthening exercises.
The results...improved posture, increased stamina, mobility, and coordination. Cool
down and stretching are included.
What you will need: A bottle of water, dumbells weighing 2–8 pounds, tennis shoes, a towel, and a yoga
mat.
Noon–12:45 p.m.
Join Zoomnew window Meeting
Meeting ID: 838 6217 8824
15-Minute Desk Stretch
Includes gentle stretches to help your back, legs, hands, neck, and overall wellness.
3–3:15 p.m.
Join Zoomnew window Meeting
Meeting ID: 874 277 9389
15-Minute Movement Break
Includes movements and stretches from the Arthritis Foundation to increase mobility,
help your joints, and support your overall well-being.
3–3:15 p.m.
Join Zoomnew window Meeting
Meeting ID: 874 277 9389
Tone and strengthen your whole body. All equipment will be provided. You are welcome to bring your own mat.
12:15 p.m., PK105
Yoga with Joan
A relaxing yoga class for all levels.
12:15 p.m., PK105
Yoga with Joan
A relaxing yoga class. For all levels.
12:15 p.m., PK105
Co-Swimmers, Swim Meet-Up
Join co-workers in a swimming and aqua conditioning meet-up. Aqua buoys (weights),
belts, and more will be provided.
12:15–1:15 p.m., Pool
Cardio, Strength, and Core with Karen
A whole body workout that includes cardio, core, strength, and toning exercises. For
all levels.
12:15 p.m., Open Fitness Center/PE Lab
Pickleball
To participate and obtain the essential weekly sign-up link, please contact Megan Cooperman.
11:15 a.m.–1:30 p.m., PE137A
Zumba dance moves with light weight toning.
12:15 p.m., PE121
Yoga with Alison
A relaxing yoga class. For all levels.
12:15 p.m., PE121
Aqua Fitness with Kim
Shallow aqua fitness focusing on cardio, strength, and core. Aqua buoys (weights)
and tools will be provided.
What you will need: Swimsuit or swim top and shorts. Aqua shoes recommended, but not required. Bring
Your Own Towel (BYOT).
5:15 p.m., Pool
Happy Hour Dance Fitness with Megan
Start your weekend on a high note and join this easy-to-follow dance fitness using
various formats, such as LaBlast, Masala Bhangra, Zumba, and more.
12:15 p.m., PE137A
Please ensure you have the appropriate fitness shoes for all classes, except for yoga and Pilates.
Stay informed about schedule changes by regularly checking the MC Wellness webpage. Please note, instructors may change and/or classes could be canceled if there is low enrollment.
Open Fitness Center Hours
- A current MC ID required to participate .
- Employees must submit a completed MC Wellness Formnew window and Par-Q Formnew window in order to use the Open Fitness Centers.
- Approval in the DSERec system is also required prior to participating. To register in DSERec, employees must contact Megan Cooperman prior to attending the Open Fitness Center.
- Lockers are available to employees; please email Megan Cooperman to secure a lock.
- Central Services (CT) employees: Access the fitness center by completing the MC Wellness
forms and contacting Megan Cooperman
for registration and entry details.
Wellness Resources
At MC, we are dedicated to supporting your success. Through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP)new window we provide funding to reimburse employees who actively participate in 10 or more sessions per month or engage in 75% of the authorized wellness programs with approved partners.
The maximum reimbursement amount for all activities except Weight Watchers digital is $35.
- 24 Hour Fitness
- Active Fit & Direct for Cignanew window
- Active and Fit Direct for Kaiser (PDF,
)
- Aquatic Centers
- Barre/Pilates/Yoga Studios
- ClassPass for Kaisernew window
- CrossFit Gyms
- Golds Gym
- LA Fitness
- Life Timenew window*
- NOOM
- OneLife (PDF,
) *
- Orange Theory
- Peloton
- Weight Watchers Digitalnew window (MC Access ID: 15886609)
*Special membership rates are available to MC employees and retirees. If you are using a wellness app or participating in a wellness or fitness program that is not on this list and would like to know if it is eligible for EAPnew window reimbursement, please contact Megan Cooperman.
- A Practical Guide to Coping with Grief (PDF,
)
- CDC How Right Now Tool Kitnew window
- Cigna Behavioral Mental Health Virtual Care (PDF,
)
- Cigna Behavioral Virtual Providers (PDF,
)
- Cigna Brightline Overview (PDF,
)
- Cigna How to Find a Behavioral Well-being Provider (PDF,
)
- Critical Incident Stress Management (PDF,
)
- Faculty and Staff Assistance Programnew window
- How to Recognize and Reduce Anxietynew window
- Kaiser Self-care Apps (PDF,
)
- Alcoholics Anonymousnew window
- American Heart Associationnew window
- DEA Resources Guide (PDF,
)
- Diabetes Self Managementnew window
- National Center on Health, Physical Activity, and Disability (NCHPAD) - Burn 100 Calories and Your Workplacenew window
- National Center on Health, Physical Activity, and Disability (NCHPAD) - Desk Exercisesnew window
- NIH Commonly Abused Drugs (PDF,
)
- OMADA for Cigna (PDF,
)
- Smoking Cessation Resourcesnew window
- Support Groups for MC Employees through Holy Cross Partnership
Retirees are eligible to participate in MC Wellness. All scheduled classes are free.
- AARP Wellnessnew window
- ICAA for Active Agingnew window
- Montgomery County Senior Sitenew window
- National Institute on Agingnew window
- Rockville Senior Centernew window
FAQs
MC Employees who want to obtain access to our wellness program must complete the Wellness Enrollment Form new windowand the PAR-Q Formnew window.
Yes, all employees, spouses, and retirees are required to complete the wellness registration forms, including the PAR-Q, once a year at the beginning of the new academic calendar in late August.
Yes and no. Upon completing the registration/waiver form, your spouse may participate
in the wellness program.
Children may not participate in the wellness program.
MC allows up to 1 1/2 hours a week for wellness activities. Staff are encouraged to
participate in wellness activities a minimum of three days a week. A maximum of 1-1/2
hours of duty time per week can be approved for these activities. You must complete
a Staff Request for Wellness Activities Form (PDF, ) that must be approved by your supervisor in order to utilize “release time” for wellness
activities.
Staff who wish to request time to participate in wellness activities must match non-duty time with duty time. No more than one-half of the total wellness time may be released time; employees may use as much of their non-duty time as practical. Time for wellness activities must not exceed one hour at a time including time needed to get to and from the activity and time to change clothes.
To obtain access to the fitness centers on campus during their operating hours, employees, spouses, and retirees must complete an MC fitness center (DSE Rec) form. This form can be provided upon request after registering for MC Wellnessnew window. Prior to visiting an on-campus fitness center, please verify that your registrationnew window is complete.
Employees working at Central Services (CT) can access the fitness center at CT by completing the MC Wellness forms and reaching out to Megan Coopermannew window. Megan will provide you with the necessary information and access to the employee fitness center.
To request reimbursement, create an expense report in Workdaynew window. Attach documentation of attendance (e.g., for gym memberships, attendance must be at least ten times in a month; for studios or class packs, 75% of the offering must be utilized) along with proof of payment. For further assistance, please contact Megan Coopermannew window.
Yes, you may submit reimbursement requests for multiple wellness opportunities. Please provide proof of usage and payment for each opportunity, noting that the reimbursement limit is $35 (excluding Weight Watchers, which may be reimbursed up to $40).
Expense reports for wellness EAP reimbursements are typically approved at the beginning of the following month in which you submitted the request. For example, if you submit a request for September 2023, it will be approved in October 2023. Reimbursement will be processed within 2-4 weeks, depending on the bi-weekly payroll schedule. If you have direct deposit for your paycheck, the reimbursement will be deposited separately into your bank account on record. To check the status of your request, please search in Workday for "My Expense Reports."
No, enrollment fees are not eligible for reimbursement. However, you can receive reimbursement up to $35 per month for membership dues and class packs.
Yes, the wellness EAP reimbursement is considered part of your salary and is subject
to taxation. The amount is taxed quarterly. You can find more information on the Educational Assistance (EAP) and Professional Development Assistance Program (PDAP)
webpagenew window.
According to IRS regulations, wellness prizes totaling $25 or more per employee are
considered taxable income. This amount is taxed quarterly. You can find more information
on this topic on the Educational Assistance (EAP) and Professional Development Assistance Program (PDAP)
webpagenew window.
If you prefer lower-cost prizes, please reach out to Megan for assistance.
Yes, as long as you meet certain conditions. Yes, you can hire one of the wellness staff as your own personal trainer outside the College campus. You will be responsible for the terms and payment of this individual and you enter into this agreement at your own risk. Please note, campus facilities may not be used for your training.
Join Aqua Fitness on Thursday's at 5:15 p.m at Rockville.
If you cannot attend this session and would like an aqua fitness workout plan to do
on your own, please contact Megan Cooperman.