"My experience as a peer educator was an amazing chance to learn to communicate and help my peers but was also a great internal learning experience. I feel like I have gained the skills to teach and be taught, help and be helped. I highly recommend this program to everyone!"
- Joe

"The Wellness Peer Education program has shown me that UB isn't just 200-person lecture halls. It's a fun and educational way to meet new people and receive personalized attention. I am now looking into other internship opportunities offered here."
- Alie

"Working as a peer educator gave me precious knowledge about living a healthy lifestyle, protecting the environment and helped me find calmness in my otherwise hectic life. I will always remember the bright and talented people that I have met and the fun I had during the Wellness Fair!"
- Daniela

Why Become a Peer Educator?
Peer educators make healthy decisions.
Because of your personal beliefs and the "positive peer influence" of our program, you're likely to make healthier decisions. In fact, research has found that 67% of peer educators make better life choices.
Peer educators help others make healthier choices.
By providing information, challenging unhealthy behaviors, and referring students to professional help, peer educators are a perfect "first step" for health promotion on campus.
Peer educators help create a positive social environment.
Peer educators can help create a positive, and in essence, new social norm. Because they are involved in the "real life" of campus culture, other students see first-hand the results of positive decisions on their daily lives.
Peer education is student leadership, activism, and service at its best.
Putting the health and safety of others on the same level as your own is the key to a lifetime of success. Through community-service and living-learning models, Peer educators learn to "give back" to the community.

Skills You will Acquire

• In-depth understanding about UB students' health and wellness concerns
• Caring and helping within limits
• Community building
• Listening skills
• Responding and referral skills
• Mediation skills
• Presentation and programming skills
• Role modeling and ethics
• Taking care of yourself: stress management and medical decision making
• Pro-active outreach techniques

Peer Education Track
Special arrangements are available for interested graduate students.

ES 102 - Fundamentals of Wellness (3 credits)
UBE 110 - Introduction to Peer Education (2 credits) permission of instructor
UBE 499 - Special Topics in Wellness (variable credits) permission of instructor

For more information about becoming a Wellness Peer Educator, contact us.