Northern Arizona University Celebrates Three Years of Partnership with the YouUplift Kindness Platform, Expands Support to K-12 Schools in Texas and Hawaii
(August 1, 2025) — Northern Arizona University (NAU) proudly marks its third year as a leading partner of the YouUplift Kindness Platform, a digital tool that empowers K-12 students to share anonymous messages of kindness and encouragement. In 2025, NAU is taking its commitment to student well-being and positive school culture to new heights by expanding its partnership beyond Arizona to include all K-12 schools in Texas and Hawaii. This expanded partnership will provide hundreds of thousands of students across three states with access to YouUplift’s proven platform—promoting kindness, reducing bullying, and fostering a culture of encouragement in schools.
Northern Arizona University’s Arizona Institute for Education and the Economy is committed to shaping the future of education by fully understanding the critical importance of a thriving education system, said Executive Director Chad Gestson. YouUplift is another way for NAU to offer support to K-12 students by building connections in schools through messages of kindness and encouragement that helps prioritize student well-being. We are proud to be a part of this effort and help aid in the expansion to more schools.
The YouUplift platform gives students a safe space to post and view uplifting messages, which are then curated and displayed on school monitors, websites, and newsletters. Research shows that positive peer-to-peer interaction increases student engagement and decreases negative behavior, making programs like YouUplift a valuable resource for schools across the country. In addition, the platform also gives teachers, administrators and parents an incredibly powerful and positive outlet to connect with their students and children in a way unlike ever before. With the YouUplift Kindness wall, adults can now use the platform as a tool to positively motivate, congratulate and speak positively about other students and amongst other adult peers. This platform has truly built a culture of positivity and kindness inside of every single school and the surrounding community that it’s a part of.
“NAU has been an incredible partner in our mission to create kinder school environments,” said Doug Reavis, Co-Founder of YouUplift. “Their continued and expanded support means that more students than ever will experience the power of uplifting words and connection.”
The partnership reflects NAU’s broader commitment to supporting youth development and educational excellence throughout the country.
ABOUT NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY
Founded in 1899, Northern Arizona University is a community-engaged, R1 university that delivers an exceptional student-centered experience to its nearly 28,000 students in Flagstaff, at 22 statewide campuses and online. Building on a 125-year history of distinctive excellence, NAU aims to be the nation’s preeminent engine of opportunity, vehicle of economic mobility and driver of social impact by delivering equitable postsecondary value in Arizona and beyond. A Hispanic-Serving Institution, NAU is committed to meeting talent with access and excellence through its impactful academic programs and enriching experiences, paving the way to a better future for the diverse students it serves and the communities they represent.
ABOUT YOUUPLIFT
YouUplift is a positive messaging platform that encourages kindness and connection among students through anonymous, moderated messages. It is currently used in schools across the country to promote emotional wellness and a supportive learning environment.