Peer Educators

Peer Education is students learning from other students. The goal is to help students develop the tools needed for making informed choices, achieving and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and functioning more effectively with others and in groups.

Peer Educators are students of any major who provide information, promote discussion and reflection, and strive to educate by engaging students in the learning process. Peer Educators are dedicated student leaders who combine their specialized training in health education and wellness with a desire to make a difference on campus. They work toward the goal of helping students develop the tools needed for making informed choices, achieving, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and functioning more effectively with others and in groups.

Peer Educators also help discover needs and advocate for change to enable our community to lead healthier, happier more successful lives. They engage in activities that influence students and the broader community to make healthier decisions that impact the community’s well-being.

 Peer Educators are students who provide engaging programming that creates awareness of health issues for individuals and the campus community at large; and contribute to the campus community in meaningful ways. Programming provided includes education, resources, and activities.

Who are Peer Educators?

Peer Educators are students of any major who combine their specialized training in Health Education and Wellness with a desire to make a difference on campus. Peer Educators:

• Provide workshops, facilitate discussions, and deliver impactful and engaging programs
• Understand the impact of experiential learning and utilizing campus experts for health information
• Are responsible, enthusiastic, dedicated student leaders
• Model healthy behaviors to their peers
• Discover needs and advocate for resources and change to enable our community to lead healthier, happier more successful lives 

Meet our current Peer Educators

What can Peer Educators provide?

Peer Educators present on a variety of requested health related topics to student groups, residence halls, and academic classes. They also provide scheduled programming through the Kent State of Well-being on a variety of wellness-related topics for the campus community.

Peer Education and Programming is ideal for:

• Chapter/Student Organization leaders and Resident Assistants in need of ideas and presentations for training or programming
• Faculty, and department staff in need of engaging learning opportunities for students
• Students, staff, and campus community members who wish to learn more and engage in health-related content in a meaningful way
• Student Organizations and Departments seeking to partner and collaborate on health promotion programming for the campus community 

By participating in a Peer Educator activity, participants will be able to: 

• Identify how various common behaviors and college health topics positively or negatively affect their well-being at the intrapersonal, interpersonal and community levels 
• Identify and implement a skill or behavior that enhances their well-being
• Describe the interconnectedness of well-being and health behaviors 
• Identify and access well-being resources on campus and within the community 

Become a Peer Educator

Recruitment for Peer Educators takes place during the month of February of each year. Applications for each school year are due (the Wednesday after Spring Break) After this deadline, please contact us if you're interested in becoming a Peer Educator. We will let you know your current options for getting involved.

Job Description

Peer Educator Job Description (PDF)

The purpose of Peer Educators is to facilitate student learning and reflection on relevant health issues; encourage and assist students in making healthy lifestyle choices; serve as an information and resource referral through educational sessions. Peer Educators are hired for the academic year.

 Peer Educators are hired by Kent State of Well-being staff and are located in the Student Recreation and Wellness Center. Hours per week will vary depending on program schedules and needs. The time commitment is generally 6-8 hours per week. Training and weekly staff meetings will take place. Peer Educators are expected to attend biweekly Student Well-being Coalition meetings.

Incentives included, but not limited to:

• Monetary compensation of $10.75 per hour
• Opportunity for merit-based raise with an annual review
• Training and skill development
• Flexible scheduling
• Welcoming and inclusive environment
• Connection to purposeful work
• Meals provided at training

Application Process

Applications are available on Feb. 1, 2023 and are due on Apr. 6, 2023. If you would like to stop in and talk with a current staff member, you are welcome to do so. Please contact us at KSoW@kent.edu

Interviews

• All candidates participate in an individual interview, held between the week of week 13 of the semester.
  • For 2022, applications due June 6th; Interviews June 21-24
• You will schedule your individual interview on the day of the group interview (mentioned above), so please have access to your calendar during the group interview.
• This interview is comprised of a self-created 10-minute virtual presentation and an interview with the supervisor and student leaders.
• Group process interviews will be held on week 14 of the semester. Attire is business casual.
  • For 2022, Friday, July 8, 2022.
• All candidates are notified on or before Aug. 1.

If hired

• Staff Retreat for the 2022-2023 staff will be held on Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022. Participation is required for all 2022-2023 staff, including new staff and current staff who are returning.
• New Staff training/staff meetings will begin on Friday, Aug.  26 from 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. 

Questions? 

Contact the Kent State of Well-being at the Student Recreation and Wellness Center at 1550 Ted Boyd Dr. Kent, Ohio 44242 or KSoW@kent.edu