A view of a Rowan water tower from the West Campus Farm. - Photo via Rowan University
Rowan University is proposing a first-of-its-kind, groundbreaking “wellness village” on the southern end of its West Campus, aiming to create a walkable, intergenerational community designed to promote healthy living, research and hands-on student training.
Dubbed the “RU Zone,” the project brings together Rowan’s academic mission with wellness principles by Blue Zones, regions where people commonly live past 100 and lead healthier lives than the global average.
The proposed development, championed by Rowan’s President Ali A. Houshmand, is still in the planning stages and hinges on approvals from local governments in Glassboro and Harrison Township. If given the green light, the university expects construction to begin in approximately 18 months.
Thomas Cavalieri, Ph.D, a geriatrician and chair on the project’s steering committee, says the village aims to improve public health, offer immersive learning for students and serve as a replicable national model for aging well.
“This isn’t just about housing. It’s about building a community where people move, eat well, feel a sense of belonging, and reduce stress, all things that have been proven to help people live longer, better lives,” said Dr. Cavalieri.
The proposed RU Zone would feature biking and walking trails, community gardens, plant-based food options, pet-friendly spaces, and programs like music and art therapy, yoga, and counseling. The village would also include townhouses, apartments, single-family homes, assisted living, and a hotel, all designed to support wellness across all stages of life.
A major anchor of the community would be the Rowan Wellness Community Center, which is being discussed amongst university officials. It is being envisioned as a main hub for nutrition education, art and music therapy, and community connection. Additionally, Rowan Medicine, Inspira Health and Fairmount Properties are key partners in the initiative, providing healthcare services and development expertise.
Another important factor being considered is diversity and inclusion. Dr. Kha’ Sadler, the Associate Provost for Wellness and Inclusivity at Rowan, emphasized that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) values are not an afterthought but central to the project.
“Diversity, equity, and inclusion isn’t something that’s being fitted into the proposed Wellness Village. It continues to be part of our identity and a core value of our institution,” said Dr. Sadler.
Dr. Sadler is one of the members serving on the project’s steering committees, as one of the four subcommittees shaping the village’s development. These include Clinical Wellness, Education & Training, Research, and Community & Alumni Outreach & Development. Recommendations from these subcommittees will be shared with senior administrators between July and August of this year.
The Clinical Wellness subcommittee, she explained, is currently looking into how to link residents to health and educational resources from both Rowan and Inspira Health Network. Other initiatives being considered include affordable housing options for low-income residents and subsidized public transit access to support equitable mobility.
“In our subcommittee, we’ve talked about helping families get to doctors’ appointments through things like NJ Transit or PATCO passes. We’re thinking about this community holistically,” said Dr. Sadler.
Dr. Sadler also added that the vision is intentionally intergenerational, with plans for students to engage with aging adults in a reciprocal learning environment.
“Diversity also includes age. Our students can improve the health outcomes of older adults, and vice versa,” said Dr. Sadler. “You can’t talk about health without considering the social determinants. Things like homelessness, transportation, and healthcare access. Cultural competence is not just important. It’s essential.”
Dr. Cavalieri also stressed that Rowan students from various programs, including social work, psychology, nursing, and medicine, will be directly involved through internships, clinical rotations, and research opportunities. The village is expected to create strong links between residents and Rowan’s mission to improve the human condition through education.
“This community will be unique in blending blue zone values with the holistic philosophy of osteopathic medicine, treating mind, body, and spirit,” said Dr. Cavalieri. “That’s what makes the RU Zone not just another development, but something new altogether.”
While university leaders stress that the wellness village is still a proposal, they are optimistic. A steering committee consisting of about 30 people, including faculty, administrators, alumni representatives, and developers, has already been formed to shape the village’s four core pillars, which include wellness programming, education, research, and community outreach.
“People will buy homes, businesses will pay rent, and the Wellness Institute may offer membership services,” said Dr. Cavalieri. “This isn’t meant to be a financial drain on the university. In fact, it may become a revenue-neutral or even revenue-positive initiative.”
Officials say the RU Zone represents a new frontier in the campus-community integration, one that could redefine how universities can contribute to public health. And for Rowan, it’s an opportunity to lead by example.
“We want to show the nation how to live better, age better, and build healthier communities,” said Dr. Cavalieri. “This is about shaping a future where education, healthcare, and community all thrive together.”
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