RISE Institute Partners with Malibu Moves to Support Student Well-Being
From October 25 to 26, 2025, more than 100 Pepperdine University students laced up their running shoes to be part of Malibu Moves at Zuma Beach. Welcoming participants of all fitness levels to join a 5k race, Pepperdine’s RISE (Resilience-Informed Skills Education) Institute jointly sponsored the event to encourage students’ wellness through exercise while getting involved in the local community.
Identifying six key dimensions of resilience—physical, social, cognitive, spiritual, service, and life skills—the RISE Institute seeks to provide Pepperdine students, as well as academic and corporate partners beyond Pepperdine, with resources and opportunities such as Malibu Moves to cultivate skills in each of these avenues alongside their peers and mentors.
Pepperdine students
“The RISE-sponsored Malibu Moves race was the perfect opportunity to practice resilience skills,” says Connie Horton (’82), vice chancellor of the RISE Institute. “While students’ lives are filled with engaging academics and fun experiences, students also experience a range of challenges and stressors. Partaking in opportunities for exercise and social connections among their peers helps them be resilient through it all.”
Representatives of each of Pepperdine’s six schools attended, including Angel Coaston, founding dean of the School of Nursing at the Pepperdine College of Health Science. The physical dimension of resilience, Coaston explained, is remarkably important for incoming medical professionals to be mindful of, as nurses must care for their own health to perform at their best. Coaston encouraged her students to take advantage of opportunities such as Malibu Moves where they can create treasured memories in a fun environment while forging healthy habits.
Many Pepperdine families ran together
“Malibu Moves allows us to live out our commitment to building resilience in community,” Coaston said. “Nursing is a sacred calling and sometimes difficult, so from the start, we teach students to strengthen their spiritual, physical, financial, and emotional well-being. When we move together, we strengthen our whole selves and learn how to remain healthy throughout our careers.”
Students wore special RISE T-shirts as they raced alongside alumni, faculty, staff, and their families. Erica Segel, founder and race director of Malibu Moves, shares that the Pepperdine community's enthusiastic participation was “an example of what resilience looks like in action” where students can learn about strength, mindfulness, and service not just in the classroom, but by living it out through movement and community.
Seaver College alumna Emily Luong (’25), who now serves as the RISE program specialist, expressed her excitement to return to the event for a second time, having first taken part as a student.
A few furry friends joined the race
“Malibu Moves is one of my favorite events the RISE program sponsors,” said Luong. “I hope to continue a tradition of returning. The event incorporates many of the RISE wellness dimensions, making it a healthy and engaging event for all.”
A current Seaver student shared that she was encouraged to participate in Malibu Moves after being involved with the RISE program for two months. As a runner, she said that participating in a community run along the coastline with both new and familiar faces was an offer she couldn’t forgo.
“Opportunites such as RISE’s sponsorship of Malibu Moves urge students to get involved in the local community in a comfortable setting together with friends,” she said. “I believe events such as this support balanced lives.”
First-time Malibu Moves participant and a current student at the Pepperdine Graduate School of Education and Psychology relates that events like this race support long-term holistic well-being.
“Moments such as this bring people together, and I think that when in community, people are in healthier mind spaces,” he said. “Coupled with that dynamic, the physical health aspect of the race offers an integrated approach to wellness that equips Pepperdine students to become well-rounded and healthy individuals.”
Visit the RISE Institute website to learn more about available resources and upcoming events.