The University of Idaho will soon name it’s first ever coordinator of health education programs, a position that was created partly as a result of Trojan Condom’s 2010 Trojan Sexual Health Report Card.
Greg Tatham, assistant vice provost of Student Affairs, said the idea for the position has been floating around for almost 10 years, but really became a reality after UI finished last in 2010’s report card and money in the budget was found to create the position.
“It was just the right time, everything came together to create this position,” said Debbie Huffman, director of Administrative and Fiscal Operations.
Huffman, who is the search committee chair for the position, said the official search began six weeks ago, and last week the top three candidates visited the school for interviews.
According to the job description advertised, the coordinator “manages and provides overall leadership for a high quality college health education and promotion program.”
Tatham said the coordinator will also work with Student Health Services and be a liaison between other groups on campus to coordinate student outreach and education programs.
“Hopefully this position will create a more educated student body that’s more aware of healthy lifestyles that go beyond just fitness and exercise, but that deal with what you eat, how you effect other people, sexual health — all the gambit of things,” Tatham said.
Students were involved in every step of the search process, Huffman said.
“It’s not about what we want, it’s about what students want and need,” she said.
Jane Lear, UI VOX: Voices for Planned Parenthood adviser said many of the groups such as UI VOX and the Women’s Center already collaborate on many programs, but having a coordinator will improve existing relationships.
“Creating this staff position is really significant,” Lear said. “This position gives us a definable goal. We all work towards the same thing but from different angles.”
Valerie Russo, assistant Dean of Students for Training and Resources and head of Violence Prevention Programs, said she hopes whoever fills the position will utilize peer educators and come up with a comprehensive guide to health programs.
“There is already a great effort on campus doing what we do, but (the coordinator) will help to fill the gaps,” Russo said.
Huffman said she would also like to see the new coordinator focus on peer education.
“We need to get students educating students,” she said. “The best resources we have are our students.”
Lysa Salsbury, coordinator of Women’s Center programs, said the creation of this position is a positive addition for the university.
“It will be challenging for them to get to know all the different programs we have,” Salsbury said. “It will lead to better cohesion, structure and a unified message”
Now that the final candidates have been interviewed, the search committee will make a recommendation to Tatham. The new coordinator of health education programs will be announced in the coming weeks and hopefully will start working sometime in December or January, Tatham said.