Peer Health Educators

UCI Center for Student Wellness & Health Promotion Peer Health Educators (PHEs) provide information to the campus communities about health and wellness. While PHEs encourage, endorse, and promote healthy norms and behaviors, they also challenge and confront unhealthy social norms and individual behaviors. The health topics PHEs focus on include: Mental Health & Emotional Wellbeing, Body Image, Alcohol & Other Drugs, and Sexual Health & Relationships. While all PHEs will receive some education in all topic areas, you will be asked to choose one focus area during your time as a PHE.

PHEs learn to lead presentations, booth on Ring Road and at events, create promotional marketing campaigns, and more!

Additionally, PHEs have the option to take on leadership positions within the team such as social lead, fundraising lead, publication lead, and PHE program lead.

PHE’s must commit to a full academic year of service (September 2024-June 2025). Training starts in Spring of 2024 with a mandatory 1.3 credit P/NP class where you will receive a peer educator certificate. Prior to the start of Fall 2024, there will be a mandatory 2-day retreat on Sept. 18^th and 19th. During the academic year, PHEs are required to attend group meetings scheduled for Fridays 3-4pm on odd weeks and topic area meetings to be scheduled on even weeks. PHEs will also sign up to facilitate workshops, tabling events, and other large and small events. Time commitment is at least 20 hours per quarter.

Recruitment begins week 1 of Winter Quarter with an online application available. Must email our Peer Education Programs Manager, Cassie Finazzo, at cfinazzo@uci.edu to receive the application. Applications are due by Friday at 5:00pm of week 5. Selected applicants will be contacted at the end of week 6 with an interview time during either week 7 or 8. Notification emails will be sent out by the end of week 9.

Once you are accepted into the PHE program, you will be given an authorization code to enroll in the 1.3 unit Peer Health Educator course that will be offered in the Spring Quarter. This class explores health education and promotion in higher education and common health issues that college students may experience. You will also learn the fundamentals of being a peer educator and become a Certified Peer Educator (CPE).  During the summer just before Fall Quarter begins, you will be required to attend a two-day training orientation that will prepare you for the academic year.

Many of our PHEs already have a passion for health and wellness and join the program to learn more and gain experience in the field. Our PHEs gain valuable experience in health education, public speaking, event planning, and team work. PHEs also make new friends and establish new connections on our campus. This program gives students the opportunity to:

• Develop leadership skills
• Improve their communication and listening skills
• Gain a better understand of health and wellness
• Improve their public speaking and outreach skills
• Give back to the campus community
• Have fun and make new friends!
• Connect with the CSWHP professional staff team and earn future letters of recommendation