Our Bobcat Peer Educators are a team of student employees with the Office of Health Promotion. Bobcat Peer Educators are trained under the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) through their Certified Peer Educator (CPE) program. They are trained to deliver health education, to provide resources for students, and to empower their peers towards safe and healthy decision making.
Please note: Our Bobcat Peer Educators are NOT Confidential and are Mandated Reporters to 51社区. Learn more about 51社区's Sexual Misconduct Policy To speak with a licensed professional, please visit 51社区鈥檚 Counseling and Psychological Services and OHIO's Survivor Advocacy Program.
Our Bobcat Peer Educators can provide a variety of services to students and student groups.
To request our peer educators for an event or training please contact Taylor Bauer, Assistant Director of Peer Health Education and Empowerment, at bauert@ohio.edu.
Bobcat Peer Educators provide education and resources within the following realms:
Our team can join your peer group, classroom, student organization, sorority or fraternity, department, residence hall, etc. for the following:
Our Bobcat Peer Educators can also provide individual support and connect you to resources at 51社区 and in our community for the following:
Interested in becoming a Bobcat Peer Educator?
Applications for our Bobcat Peer Educator position are currently closed. If you wish to be notified when applications become available, please contact Taylor Bauer, Assistant Director of Peer Health Education and Empowerment, at bauert@ohio.edu.
Bobcat Peer Educators are required to complete 2 full semesters of service to the position. Peer Educators are generally expected to work 10 hours a week with the Office of Health Promotion.
Hi everyone! My name is Addy Benn, I am a third-year Psychology major also working towards my Professional Deaf Liaison Certificate! My pronouns are she/her. I wanted to become a Bobcat Peer Educator because I value creating safe spaces for students on campus. The Health Promotion office focuses on different topics that can promote healthy lifestyles within students on campus. I am passionate about Mental Health, Sexual Health, and healthy relationships. I want to further my knowledge on additional topics so I can better support students in any ways they need. I'm also a member of Psi Chi (International Honor Society for Psychology)!
Hello everyone! My name is Hazel (She/Her), and I am a first-year student majoring in community and public health and pursuing a certificate in Appalachian Studies. I was drawn to the Bobcat Peer Educator position because I am passionate about creating discussions around difficult topics and promoting healthy lifestyles. I am continuously learning and gaining new skills in this position, preparing me for my future in health education. I am passionate about supporting and educating students on harm-reduction strategies. I plan to learn more about all aspects of health promotion here at OHIO, so I can better support more students. I am also a member of the OHIO Sierra Club and Eta Sigma Gamma (Public and Environmental Health Honor Society).
Being a peer educator fits well with my passion for promoting health literacy through advocacy and education. I am particularly interested in well-being and mental health advocacy. As a friend, sister, and daughter, I often find myself being a source of support for those around me, whether it's offering advice or simply being there to listen. I believe mental health and wellbeing advocacy begins within one's immediate circle, and this inspired me to become a peer educator鈥攖o be a great wealth of support and bridge of resources to those around me and the community wherever I find myself in. Additionally, I wanted to be part of a community that shares my commitment to these values.
Hello everyone!! My name is Iana Byrd (She/Her), a senior majoring in Biological Sciences with a minor in Health Care Administration. My goal is to become a Plastic Surgeon specializing in cosmetic surgery. Currently, I am an active member in two student organizations called MAPS (Minority Association of Pre-Health Students) and MSBC (Multicultural Student Business Caucus).
My interest in the Bobcat Peer Educator position stems from my experience during my first year of college. I was a part of a weekly walk group that served as a valuable outlet for students, promoting a healthy lifestyle and aiming to prevent lifelong conditions. Now, I see this position as Well-Being Peer Educator as an opportunity to extend the positive impact I experienced to a wider audience, leveraging greater resources and knowledge. I鈥檓 excited about the prospect of contributing to the well-being of our campus community!
I wanted to become a Peer Educator to become an advocate for students on campus as well as to pose as a bridge between resources available and students on and off campus. Becoming more involved with the college of health sciences and professions, the Well-Being Deparrment, and the Office of promotions has helped fullfill my passions of helping others that in my future career in the healthcare field also coniside with. I know that being a Peer Educator I will be able to continue to grow knowledgeable in many different aspects of healthcare with working with the most knowledgable faculty members!
My name is Nicole Souza (she/her) and I'm a second year Health Services Administration major, with Public Health & Business Administration minors. I wanted to be a Bobcat Peer Educator to help the community and students with difficult situations that I think are sometimes overlooked. I also wanted to have an experience as an undergraduate in a field that relates to my intended career. My areas of passion are sexual health and interpersonal violence prevention. Apart from being a Peer Health Educator, I'm also a two-year member of the OU Vibrations dance team and 51社区's Society of Health Administration. This year, I am also a Learning Community Leader, CHSP Student Ambassador, and participating in this year's Variant Magazine issue.
Why I want to be a Bobcat Peer Health Educator: I have always been deeply committed to the well-being of my community. Throughout my time in my hometown, I served as both a compassionate listener and a source of guidance for friends and peers. Helping others has always been important to me, and I appreciate that people feel comfortable opening up to me. I鈥檓 grateful to be in a position where I can provide guidance that isn't always readily available to those who need it. I've long been involved in efforts to bridge the gap between those in need and the resources that can help them. As a Bobcat Peer Health Educator at OU, I鈥檓 excited to continue this work.
As a peer health educator, I find happiness in the opportunity to connect with others on a personal level, especially amidst the challenges and adversities of college life. By bonding over shared experiences and navigating through student life together, I can build meaningful connections that have value in both our lives.