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Peer Education Initiatives

Health, Safety, and Well-being Health, Safety, and Well-being Initiatives Mid-Level New Professional Undergraduate

Welcome to NASPA's Peer Education Initiatives! Since the 2014 merger of the BACCHUS Network with NASPA, our team has worked to promote student leadership and support peer educators and their advisors. Check out the information here, and please email cpe@naspa.org with any additional inquiries! 

 

Certified Peer Educator

Certified Peer Educator program logo

Certified Peer Educator (CPE) training is an effective strategy for building a well-educated and sustainable peer education group. CPE Training helps peer educators develop leadership skills to be able to successfully create and implement campus programs. Click here for more information!

As part of the CPE program, you can become trained to deliver the content directly to students on your campus through our Train the Trainer course. Click here to read more and register for this online, self-paced course. 

Finally, we also offer an online, self-paced Virtual CPE Training for students if a campus trainer is not available, or if you do not have the capacity to train students yourself. Click here for more information.

 

 

National Peer Education Study

The National Peer Education Study (NPES) is a partnership between NASPA and Michigan State University since 2004. The overarching goal of this study, administered yearly, is to understand how peer educators themselves learn and grow from their experiences. The project is overseen by Dr. Matthew Wawrzynski. 

Click here to access the most recent national report released by the NPES team. 

As an NPES participant, you will also receive an individualized data report for your specific campus. Click here for an example of what your institutional data report will look like. 

For more information, or to indicate your interest in participating in the NPES, please email npes@naspa.org. 

Advisors

Part of our work with peer education involves supporting the professional development of peer education advisors. Our primary program in this area is Advisors Academy - a short course, offered both online and as a pre-conference session at select in-person events throughout the year. Advisors Academy is designed for newer peer education advisors or those who want to brush up on foundational skills integral to the advisor role. Click here for more information on the Virtual Advisors Academy short course! 

You can also check back here for more information on which upcoming events will include Advisors Academy as an in-person preconference! 

Events

Photo of peer educators at the General Assembly opening keynote

General Assembly is a national conference held annually for undergraduate peer educators as well as their advisors. This is an opportunity for attendees to learn from each other and connect with peers and colleagues outside of their own campus. Click here to go to the General Assembly website. 

We also offer the Peer Education Advisors Institute on an annual basis. This is a small, cohort-based experience for peer education advisors to take their skills to the next level and establish a strong network of colleagues. The event is facilitated by our volunteer Peer Education and Advising Faculty. Click here to learn more about the 2021 Peer Education Advisors Institute. 

Peer Education and Advising Faculty

Our sincere thanks go out to the current members of our Peer Education and Advising Faculty! For more information about this group please contact the peer education team at cpe@naspa.org. 

Photo of Joleen Nevers

Joleen M. Nevers

Peer Education and Advising Faculty Co-Chair; Region I Consultant

Program Director for Regional Campus Wellness Services
University of Connecticut

Photo of Alicia Czachowski

Alicia Czachowski

Peer Education and Advising Faculty Co-Chair

Director of Public Health Initiatives and Assessment
Tulane University

Photo of La' Tesha Hinton

La' Tesha Hinton

Peer Education and Advising Faculty

Assistant Director of the Well for Health Promotion
Tulane University

Photo of Aaron Maracle

Aaron Maracle

Peer Education and Advising Faculty

Violence Prevention Specialist
SUNY University at Buffalo

Photo of Mandy Parente

Mandy Parente

Peer Education and Advising Faculty

Interpersonal Violence Prevention Coordinator
University of Alabama Birmingham

Apply to Join!

Peer Education Advisory Board

The Peer Education Advisory Board helps advise NASPA staff about peer education needs. If you have any questions, please contact our peer education team at cpe@naspa.org. 

Photo of Leslie Haxby McNeill

Leslie Haxby McNeill

Peer Education and Advising Faculty; Region IV-East Consultant

Assistant Director of Student Wellness
Miami University-Ohio

Marian Trattner

Region III Representative, WHP KC

Assistant Director of Wellbeing and Health Promotion
Wake Forest University

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Robert Cardom

Licensed Psychologist
University at Albany - SUNY

Natalie D'Azzo

Wellness & Peer Education Programs Manager
University of California - Irvine

Courtney Diener

Associate Director, Student Support and Advocacy Center
George Mason University

Shawnte Elbert

Co-chair, WHP KC

Associate Vice President of Health & Well-being
The Ohio State University

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Thomas Elton

Coordinator, Substance Safety
Florida Atlantic University

Eric Garrison

Assistant Director in Office of Health Promotion
College of William and Mary

Christine Johnston

Massachusetts State Coordinator

Assistant Director, AOD and Health Promotion
Springfield College

Jacob Lemon

Research Project Manager at National Peer Education Study
Michigan State University

Lori Bishop-Ley

Ohio State Coordinator

Assistant Director of The Student Wellness Center
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus

Joan Masters

BACCHUS Regional Consultant- Region IV West

Senior Coordinator, Partners in Prevention
University of Missouri-Columbia

Kyra Patel

Coordinator for Student Social Wellness
Appalachian State University

Ritu Roy

Assistant Director of Sexual Violence Prevention & Education
University of Oregon

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Awards

Congratulations to the individuals and institutions who have been recognized for their excellent work at General Assembly! 

2015 General Assembly

Outstanding Advisor

  • Kristy Sillay, Villanova University
  • Brittney Vigna, University of Alabama
  • Emily Werner, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis
  • Don Swogger, Frostburg State University
  • Anna Sotelo-Peryea, University at Buffalo

 

Outstanding Peer Educator

  • Brandon Piazzola, University of Montana Western 
  • Devin Smith, Bowling Green State University
  • Krystle Griggs, University of North Carolina Wilmington
  • Brittany Hensley, University of West Florida
  • Maria Thaman, Butler University

 

Outstanding Peer Education Program

  • Love Your Body Day, University of Nevada Las Vegas
  • 420 Forum, Millersville University
  • P.S. I Love You: Stalking Awareness Evening, Pittsburg State University
  • Campus Clean Up, Montana State University Billings
  • Step Up: Bystander Intervention, Miami University

 

Outstanding Peer Education Group

  • Middle Earth Peer Assistance Program, University at Albany SUNY
  • Peers Reaching Out, University of Montana
  • Millersville University Peer Educators, Millersville University
  • MU Student Wellness Advocates, University of Missouri
  • WellPAC, Fort Lewis College
  • HAWKS Peer Health Educators, Miami University
2016 General Assembly

Outstanding Advisor

  • Leslie Haxby McNeill, Miami University
  • Lexi Benson, University of Montana Western
  • Craig Kimmelblatt, University at Albany SUNY
  • Trisha Tinney, University of North Carolina Wilmington
  • Sandra Adams, Furman University

 

Outstanding Peer Educator

  • Robert Lemaire, Frostburg State University
  • Kelsey Miller, Coastal Carolina University
  • Tara Wong, University of Nevada Las Vegas
  • Margo Leitschuh, University of Missouri
  • Michael Romano, DeSales University

 

Outstanding Peer Education Program

  • HIV Hi/Low/No Risk, Georgia Gwinnett College
  • Red Watch Band Bystander Intervention Training, Northwestern University
  • UA Wellness Week, University of Alabama
  • Fall Harvest Festival, Valencia College East Campus
  • Wellness Fair, Radford University

 

Outstanding Peer Education Group

  • Joe's PEERS, Missouri University of Science and Technology
  • Gorilla Peer Education, Pittsburg State University
  • Health and Wellness Educators, Roger Williams University
  • RESPECT (Rape Education Services by Peers Encouraging Conscious Thought), University of Arkansas
  • UWF Peer Educators, University of West Florida
2017 General Assembly

Outstanding Advisor

  • Jessica Gargus, Missouri University of Science and Technology
  • Christine Ditter, Montana State University Billings
  • Cortney Heileman, Saginaw Valley State University
  • Aaron Maracle, University at Buffalo SUNY
  • Alicia Cambron, University of West Florida

 

Outstanding Peer Educator

  • Meghan Sullivan, University of North Carolina Wilmington
  • Suzannah Kal, Montana State University
  • Alexandra Harris, Radford University
  • Madison Turner, University of Cincinatti
  • Nicole Bulanchuk, University at Albany SUNY

 

Outstanding Peer Education Program

  • Project Condom, Millersville University
  • Sex in the Ballroom, Pittsburg State University
  • Message in a Bottle, Roger Williams University
  • So What's All the Buzz About?, University of Miami
  • Humans of UNLV, University of Nevada Las Vegas

 

Outstanding Peer Education Group

  • Project Health, University of Alabama
  • Red Watch, Stony Brook University
  • STEP UP BC, Bridgewater College
  • Bradley HEAT, Bradley University
  • Wellness Ambassadors, Ohio State University
2018 General Assembly

Tom Goodale Award for Exceptional Advising in Peer Education

  • La' Tesha Hinton, Tulane University

 

Gerardo Gonzalez Award for Graduate Student Service in Peer Education

  • Arianna Camel, Millersville University

 

Outstanding Advisor

  • Kendra Gaillegos-Reichle, Fort Lewis College
  • Jayme Trogus, Millersville University
  • Christina Cetti, Stetson University
  • Kennybel Pena, Manhattanville College

 

Outstanding Peer Educator

  • Katie Barnhardt, Appalachian State University
  • Lynn Jean-Louis, Stony Brook University
  • Matthew Koehl, Texas Tech University
  • Blake Archer, University of Alabama

 

Outstanding Peer Education Program

  • LGBTQ&A, Boston University
  • You Can’t Save The World Alone, University of West Florida
  • Social Identity, Weber State University
  • Be The Creed, Bowling Green University
  • 4th Annual Out of the Darkness Walk, Coastal Carolina University

 

Outstanding Peer Education Group

  • POWER (Peers Offering Wellness Education and Resources), Villanova University
  • Peer Health Advocates, University of Chicago
  • OWLS Care Leaders, Florida Atlantic University
  • Changing Carolina Peer Leaders, University of South Carolina
  • Health Education and Awareness Team, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
2019 General Assembly

Tom Goodale Award for Exceptional Advising in Peer Education

  • Mandy Parente, University of Alabama at Birmingham

 

Fifty Years of Exemplary Peer Education

  • Middle Earth Peer Assistance Program, University at Albany, SUNY

 

Outstanding Advisor

  • Melanie Perry, Saginaw Valley State University
  • Natalie D’Azzo, University of California, Irvine
  • Kelsey Lueck, Texas Tech University

 

Outstanding Peer Educator

  • Kace Garcesa, Georgia Gwinnett College
  • Emily Kollar, Bowling Green State University
  • Jordyn Livingston, University of South Carolina
  • Danielle Greenberg, Florida Gulf Coast University

 

Outstanding Peer Education Program

  • Can I Kiss You? Featuring Educator Mike Domitrz, Miami University
  • What's your Love Language?, Saginaw Valley State University
  • Got Your BAC & Positive Consent Orientation Workshops, Babson College
  • Stomp Out Stigma 5K for Suicide Awareness, St. Mary’s College of Maryland

 

Outstanding Peer Education Group

  • Health and Wellness Educators, Roger Williams University
  • Peer Wellness Advocates, Mount Saint Mary's University
  • SHORE Peer Educators, Coastal Carolina University
  • Health Promotion Division, Rutgers University-Newark
2020 General Assembly

Tom Goodale Award for Exceptional Advising in Peer Education 

  • Robert Cardom, University at Albany, SUNY 

 

Gerardo Gonzalez Award for Graduate Student Service in Peer Education

  • Emma Valvo, SUNY, University at Buffalo 

 

Outstanding Advisor

  • Charlotte Petonic, The University of Alabama 
  • Lori Bishop-Ley, University of Cincinnati 
  • Nicole Giglia, Seton Hall University  

 

Outstanding Peer Educator

  • Alexis Raysik, University of Central Missouri 
  • Joyous Njoku, Texas Tech University 
  • Bethany Tracy, University of Montana- Western

 

Outstanding Peer Education Program

  • Golden ARCHES’ Sex Week Program, University of California- Riverside
  • Trojan Outreach’s Interpersonal Violence Awareness Week Program, Troy University
  • High(er) Education, University of Miami 
  • It's On US, Newberry College

 

Outstanding Peer Education Group

  • Student Advocates for Wellness, Springfield College
  • HEROES Peer Educators, Montana State University- Billings
  • PAWS (Peers Advocating for Wellness and Safety), Mount St. Joseph University 
  • ROARS Peer Educators, Langston University

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