Zen Den

The Zen Den was created by Donna Scro Samori, New Jersey Licensed Social Worker and dance faculty member as a mental health retreat and resource for the Department of Theatre and Dance. The Zen Den is an inviting space where students come daily to restore themselves from the high demands of their performing arts. One can find students napping, resting, and meditating in the Zen Den as they enjoy relaxing aromatherapy and calming music. Students can also sign up for one on one consulting sessions with Donna who provides mental health resources one and off campus. Last year there were anywhere between 12-20 students visiting the Zen Den on a daily basis and approximately 100 students who used the one on one consulting service. The Department of Theatre and Dance Faculty have expressed their gratitude for the Zen Den and have reported seeing a positive effect in student’s mental health as a result of these services. Donna looks forward to welcoming students back to the Zen Den in the fall semester and plans to continue to support student’s well-being and mental health.

Donna Scro Samori, the creator and director of the Zen Den, is a New Jersey Licensed Social Work who graduated with honors from Rutgers University with a Masters in Social Work and with a Certificate of Violence Against Women and Children. Donna holds the position as the Mental Health Consultant for the Department of Theatre and Dance and is a member of the dance adjunct faculty. In addition to her roles at MSU, Donna is a yoga/meditation teacher, Artistic Director of Freespace Dance, and therapist at Light Street Psychotherapy. Donna feels that her experience as a professional dancer has helped her understand the unique challenges in the performing arts, and is now committed to help artists achieve better mental health.