University of Miami: Alumna shares journey to happiness through adversity.

Karen Guggenheim has taken an unexpected combination of psychology and communication to reshape the way we approach happiness. Guggenheim began her studies at the University of Miami, and the U quickly became a foundation of true happiness for her. After facing life-altering challenges, Guggenheim looked to her education and dual degrees to create a force for change, and shares that both were instrumental in helping her understand how to spread a new approach to psychology and work towards building a global movement.

In March, Guggenheim will bring the World Happiness Summit to the Coral Gables campus for a three day immersive workshop.

“I could not be more proud than to bring the World Happiness Summit to the University of Miami, where so much of my personal happiness has taken place,” Guggenheim said. “I would like to remind my fellow ‘Canes who have faced or are facing hardships to remember that pain is a great catalyst for change. If I could grow from my experience, they can too. Let’s be disruptive and choose happiness, not because it’s easy, but because it’s a challenge worth pursuing.”

Guggenheim was immersed in a hands-on approach to learning out in the field during her studies at UM, providing experience as a journalist which helped her to quickly develop problem solving and entrepreneurial skills.

In a recent email to the UM Alumni Association, Guggenheim shared her thoughts on bringing the Happiness Summit to campus.

“UM is a great place to share happiness! I have many happy memories of UM beginning with joining my older brother at football games at the old Orange Bowl and celebrating National Championships. I also felt joy sharing being a Cane with my husband, Ricardo Guggenheim, B.S. ’81, M.D. ’85 ,who did his undergraduate and medical degrees at UM. He then became a UM assistant professor of anesthesia and trained neurosurgeon and I remember fondly taking our children to have Christmas dinner at the UM medical campus because he was on call. My children still love cafeteria food to this day.

Needless to say the beautiful campus offers a setting that naturally presupposes you for happiness, as a smile does on someone’s face when they greet you.  The quality of professors and diversity of subject matters stimulates the mind, and generates interest in asking questions and satisfaction in finding the answers. Most importantly, the faculty, students and staff at UM form a collective that supports well-being by constructing relationships that are supportive of each other.”

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