Vandal Health Education (VHE) is a team made up of professional staff and peer health educators who work to create a healthy campus community.
Peer educators facilitate many workshops on campus to living groups and student classes. The professional staff guide peer educators to plan health events on campus and gain valuable leadership skills. VHE also operates the Well Space on campus located in the Student Recreation Center. VHE is dedicated to providing high-quality health education outreach to empower students to make decisions about their own health and engaging the campus community in health promotion initiatives to foster a safe, inclusive and healthy environment.
Coral Knerr
A peer educator is someone who expands their knowledge and skills to help make a different on campus. The roles of a peer educator include friendship, education, activism, being a role model and a team member.
Friend
Someone who is available to listen, link people and resources, and is supportive and encouraging.
Educator
Someone who can teach, increase awareness, correct misconception, and provide resources.
Activist
Someone who can create positive change through leadership, create partnerships and networks, and refuse to be a passive bystander.
Role model
Someone that leads a life that is healthy and balanced, leads by example, and shares stories of change.
Team member
Someone who can be an active member of the team, work closely with their supervisor, and support other members of the team.
Working with VHE has given me a great foundation for my professional skills. For example, being a peer educator has given me great teamwork skills. Planning an event on campus involves working together as a team. I have learned to take initiative and find others with resources to strengthen my events. I enjoy working with other peer health educators and having opportunities to help shape their efforts.
I have also improved my communication skills while working as a peer health educator. Giving multiple presentations and workshops on campus has prepared me for multifaceted situations. I enjoy being able to deliver information to my peers and make an impact on their lifestyles.
I have also learned to be an effective listener through the H&S 301: Peer Health Education course. Listening seems like a simple task but it requires a lot more skill than many people realize. My experiences as a peer educator have allowed me to enhance many skills that will help me in my future career.
Want to get involved or become a peer health educator? VHE is now accepting peer educator applications for the summer or fall semester. Students can earn an internship credit, gain public health knowledge, plan fun campus health events, enhance our healthy campus, and boost their resumes. Practicum students are welcome as well. Students will also be encouraged to take H&S 301: Peer Health Education. They will earn two credits and become a certified peer educator. To apply, just simply email Emily Tuschhoff at [email protected] to get in touch with our professional staff and set up an interview.
Coral Knerr can be reached at [email protected]