This study examines the impact of the Grow a Gritty HERO's Mindset course, which develops psychological capital (Hope, self-Efficacy, Resilience, and Optimism), on engineering students in Stellenbosch University's Extended Curriculum Program (ECP). The intervention was evaluated through three complementary frameworks, including the EPOCH (Engagement, Perseverance, Optimism, Connectedness, and Happiness) Measure of Adolescent Well-Being, Hettler's Model of Wellness, and VanderWeele's Secure Flourishing Index. Using a pretest-posttest design with cohorts from 2021 (n=40) and 2023 (n=41), the study assessed multiple dimensions of student well-being and development.

The course consists of six modules addressing eight action themes: Feeling You Belong, Enhance Wellness & Well-being, Grow Your Grit, Cultivate a Growth Mindset, Hope, Believe in Yourself, Increase Your Resilience, and Be Optimistic. Each module incorporates targeted activities, self-assessments, and reflective exercises designed to develop psychological resources and promote holistic well-being.

Results showed significant improvements across multiple dimensions. The 2021 cohort demonstrated enhanced engagement (p=.016), optimism (p=.013), happiness (p=.008), and overall EPOCH scores (p=.003). They also showed improvements in exercise (p=.019), emotional awareness (p=.017), sense of humor (p=.002), self-satisfaction (p=.013), positive outlook (p=.005), and life purpose (p=.048). The 2023 cohort exhibited significant gains in connectedness (p=.031), overall wellness (p<.001), and various flourishing dimensions, including general happiness (p=.011), the promotion of good (p=.020), and reduced financial concerns (p=.013).

These findings suggest the intervention effectively promotes student well-being and development. Enhanced psychological resources, including improved engagement and optimism, may facilitate better academic performance, while strengthened resilience aids in managing academic challenges. Wellness improvements support cognitive functioning, and increased emotional awareness aids stress management.

The study contributes to understanding how well-being interventions can support student success by demonstrating the interconnectedness of different well-being frameworks and identifying effective intervention components. However, limitations include the absence of a control group, small sample sizes, and short-term assessment period. Future research should incorporate control groups, larger samples, longitudinal tracking, and direct academic performance measures.

The Grow a Gritty HERO's Mindset course represents a promising approach to promoting student well-being and academic success. As higher education institutions increasingly recognize the importance of student well-being, such interventions offer valuable models for supporting both personal development and academic achievement. The findings support the integration of comprehensive well-being initiatives into higher education programs, particularly for students in extended curriculum programs.

Keywords: Psychological capital, student well-being, flourishing, academic success, EPOCH framework, extended curriculum program, engineering, intervention.