HAWKS

HAWKS Peer Health Educators are students who combine their specialized training in Health Education and Wellness with a desire to make a difference on campus. HAWKS Peer Health Educators are responsible, enthusiastic, dedicated student leaders and they provide workshops, facilitate discussions, and sponsor campus events.

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Mission

Our mission is to actively engage students to consider important issues related to their health and wellness by presenting factual, relevant information that encourages them to honestly, realistically, and thoroughly reflect on their lifestyle and to help them make free and healthy choices.

As peers who care about the health and well-being of others in the community, we strive to educate students using four guiding principles (FIRE):

Freedom: We respect the fact that each person has the inherent freedom to choose and make decisions for themselves.
Information: We present information that is factual and relevant, and influences students to think critically about their choices as well as possibly chanllenge their beliefs.
Reflect: Through discussion and dialogue, students are asked to honestly, realistically, and thoroughly reflect on their values, on what actions will protect what they value, and to choose actions that are an accurate reflection of their values.
Engage: We strive to engage students in the learning process, helping them to see the relevance and the importance of the choices they are currently making in their lives.

Campus Programs and Campaigns

HAWKS Peer Health Educators sponsor campus programs and awareness campaigns in conjunction with campus and community partners throughout the year. Topic examples include:

NCAAW (National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week)
Just call campaign
Campus safety awareness
Stress awareness
World AIDS Day
Handwashing/flu prevention
Great American Smoke Out
Safe spring break campaign
Love your body day
Calcium counts and nutrition month
Bone marrow donor program

If your office or organization is interested in collaborating on a health and wellness topic, please contact:

Rebecca Baudry Young, baudryrm@MiamiOH.edu, 513-529-3438 or
Leslie Haxby McNeill, mcneillh@MiamiOH.edu, 513-529-5047

Job Description

The purpose of Peer Health Educators is to facilitate student learning and reflection on relevant health issues; encourage and assist students in making healthy lifestyle choices; serve as an information and resource referral; create awareness of health issues for individuals and the campus community at large; and contribute to the campus community in meaningful ways.

HAWKS Peer Health Education staff work out of the Office of Student Wellness located in the Clinical Health Sciences and Wellness building, room 1204. Hours per week will vary depending on program schedules, awareness events, etc. The time commitment is generally 4-6 hours per week.

Specific position responsibilities include:

Must be available to attend weekly Wednesday evening meetings from 6-8 p.m beginning in August 2024.
Participate in and contribute to staff training including successful completion of EDL 310 “College Student Development and Group Process for Peer Educators” in spring 2024. This course can be taken for one hour of academic credit.
Keep regularly scheduled office hours in the Office of Student Wellness Resource Room (1 hour/week minimum) beginning in August 2024.
Assist in and contribute to program development of specific topic areas including alcohol and other drug education; sexual health and decision making; nutrition and general health; mental health; men’s and women’s issues; and diversity and cultural awareness.
Assist and contribute to program delivery in a variety of campus venues including:
- Presentations on specific topic areas
- Awareness week/month (advertising and information research)
- Small group facilitation (such as Greek New Member Education)
Assist in the administrative components of the program as assigned (e.g. serve as a liaison to specific community populations; distribute, collect and compile evaluation of programs; research and update existing program information; develop publicity and marketing strategies).

Applications for 2024-25 positions are due February 21, 2024. Questions can be directed to Leslie Haxby McNeill (513-529-5047) or mcneillh@MiamiOH.edu.

Application Process

Applications are due February 21, 2024 for the next academic year. If you'd like to stop in sometime and talk with one of the current HAWKS Peer Health Educators, you're welcome to do so.

Interviews

Group process interviews will be held on Sunday, February 25, 2024. Attire is business casual.
All candidates participate in an individual interview, held between the weeks of February 28 - March 11, 2024. You will schedule your individual interview on the day of the group interview (mentioned above), so please have access to your calendar during the group interview.
Selected candidates are invited for a final round interview, which is comprised of a self-created 10-minute presentation and an interview with the advisor/supervisor and team leaders in early to mid-March, 2024.
All candidates are notified on or before March 15, 2024.

If hired:

New staff training will start on April 3, 2024 on a weekly basis. This is for all new staff and is available for one hour of academic credit as EDL 310.
Staff retreat for the 2024-2025 staff will be held on Friday evening, April 19, 2024. Participation is required for all 2024-2025 staff, including new staff and current staff who are returning.

Questions? Contact us in the Office of Student Wellness at 1204 Clinical Health Sciences and Wellness building, 421 S. Campus Ave., 513-529-8544, or PeerHealthEd@MiamiOH.edu.

Student Wellness

The Office of Student Wellness provides educational resources and services that promote the health and wellness of Miami students. Our staff of professionals and peer educators work to raise awareness, coordinate programming initiatives, and influence policy that results in healthy choices.