Welcome to NASPA's Peer Education Initiatives! Our team has works to support peer educators and their advisors.
Peer education is a student-led approach supported by professional advisors, leveraging peer connections to enhance wellness, reduce risks, and shape campus culture.
A Peer Educator is a student leader who uses their equal standing, accessibility, and influence to support peers, promote well-being, and inspire positive change.
Explore the full definitions below to understand the impact these roles have on student development, campus life, and student success.
Peer education harnesses the power of peer-to-peer connection to drive holistic student success. As a key component of an institution's strategy to enhance student wellness, reduce high-risk behaviors, and improve outcomes, it empowers student-led initiatives through professional support, training, and resources. This approach fosters personal and professional growth while building sustainable systems that shape campus culture. Originating in health promotion, peer education now enriches diverse areas of collegiate life, including residence halls, classrooms, student organizations, athletic teams, and volunteer groups.
A Peer Educator leverages their equal standing, accessibility, and influence to support and inspire peers to improve their lives. They promote well-being and foster positive behavior change through listening, providing referrals, educating, correcting social misperceptions, and utilizing skills like cultural competency, programming, and leadership.
Peer Educators are the cornerstone of peer education, translating its programmatic vision into tangible impact.
Peer Education Initiatives' provides training and support to both professional staff and student peer educators who contribute to an environment where peer-led programs, events and workshops can be a catalyst to elevate holistic well-being.
Every year, the Peer Education Initiatives, a part of the Health, Safety, and Well-being Initiatives of NASPA and carrying forward the legacy of BACCHUS, proudly recognize outstanding achievements in peer education. These awards honor peer educators, advisors, peer education groups, and programs that exemplify the innovative spirit and commitment to student well-being that BACCHUS pioneered. Award finalists will be featured and winners will be announced during the awards ceremony at the annual Peer Education Conference.
The Tom Goodale Award for Exceptional Advising in Peer Education recognizes a single peer education advisor, annually, for work that exceeds the expectations of the role and deserves unique attention.
The Gerardo Gonzalez Award for Graduate Student Service in Peer Education recognizes a single graduate student working in a leadership role as part of a peer education group.
This award recognizes peer education advisors' commitment to peer education efforts, unique talents as a peer education advisor, leadership ability, and presence as a positive role model for peer educators.
This award recognizes students’ contributions to campus peer education efforts, academic successes, and leadership.
This award recognizes creativity and overall effectiveness in campus awareness and education. Selected programs will represent the diversity of health, safety, and well-being topics.
This award recognizes peer education groups that have done exceptional work on their campuses. Awards will be granted to peer education groups that have consistently provided health, safety, and well-being education for students on their campuses in the past year.
Gerardo Gonzalez Award for Graduate Student Service in Peer Education
Outstanding Peer Education Advisor Award
Gerardo Gonzalez Award for Graduate Student Service in Peer Education
Outstanding Peer Education Advisor Award
Tom Goodale Award for Exceptional Advising in Peer Education
Gerardo Gonzalez Award for Graduate Student Service in Peer Education
Outstanding Peer Education Advisor
Outstanding Peer Educator
Outstanding Peer Education Program
Outstanding Peer Education Group
Tom Goodale Award for Exceptional Advising in Peer Education
Aaron Maracle, University at Buffalo
Outstanding Advisor
Ryan Anderson, Indiana University Purdue University-Indianapolis
Outstanding Peer Educator
Sarah Supplee, West Chester University
Jorgann Holgersen, Texas Tech University
Huntyr Hill, Florida Gulf Coast University
Outstanding Peer Education Program
Euphoria Exposé, Florida Gulf Coast University
Outstanding Peer Education Group
Healthy Dawgs Peer Educators, Mississippi State University
Tom Goodale Award for Exceptional Advising in Peer Education
Gerardo Gonzalez Award for Graduate Student Service in Peer Education
Outstanding Advisor
Outstanding Peer Educator
Outstanding Peer Education Program
Outstanding Peer Education Group
Tom Goodale Award for Exceptional Advising in Peer Education
Gerardo Gonzalez Award for Graduate Student Service in Peer Education
Outstanding Advisor
Outstanding Peer Educator
Outstanding Peer Education Program
Outstanding Peer Education Group
Tom Goodale Award for Exceptional Advising in Peer Education
Fifty Years of Exemplary Peer Education
Outstanding Advisor
Outstanding Peer Educator
Outstanding Peer Education Program
Outstanding Peer Education Group
Tom Goodale Award for Exceptional Advising in Peer Education
Gerardo Gonzalez Award for Graduate Student Service in Peer Education
Outstanding Advisor
Outstanding Peer Educator
Outstanding Peer Education Program
Outstanding Peer Education Group
Outstanding Advisor
Outstanding Peer Educator
Outstanding Peer Education Program
Outstanding Peer Education Group
Outstanding Advisor
Outstanding Peer Educator
Outstanding Peer Education Program
Outstanding Peer Education Group
Outstanding Advisor
Outstanding Peer Educator
Outstanding Peer Education Program
Outstanding Peer Education Group
The Peer Education Advisor Faculty work alongside NASPA to advance the field and improve the impact of peer education. Faculty members share their knowledge and experience to help NASPA provide the best training, development, support, and mentorship for peer education advisors. Our sincere thanks go out to the current members of our Peer Education Advisor Faculty!
