HAWKS Peer Health Education

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.

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

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 Cleveland Clinic Health Sciences and Wellness facility, 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:

1. Must be available to attend weekly Wednesday evening meetings from 6-8 p.m beginning in August 2026.
2. Participate in and contribute to staff training including successful completion of EDL 310 “College Student Development and Group Process for Peer Educators” in spring 2026. This course can be taken for one hour of academic credit.
3. Keep regularly scheduled office hours in the Office of Student Wellness Resource Room (1 hour/week minimum) and/or Wellness Studio beginning in August 2026.
4. 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, and mental health.
5. 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)
6. 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 2026-2027 positions are due February 18, 2026. Questions can be directed to Leslie Haxby McNeill (513-529-5047) or McNeillH@MiamiOH.edu. 

Applications are due February 18, 2026 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 22, 2026 from 2-4 p.m. Attire is business casual. If you are not able to make this time, please let us know so we may make other arrangements.
• All candidates participate in an individual interview, held between the weeks of February 25 through March 10, 2026. 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 consists of a self-created 10-minute presentation and an interview with the advisor/supervisor and team leaders in early to mid-March, 2026.
• All candidates are notified on or before March 18, 2026. 

If hired:

• New staff training will start on April 1, 2026 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 2026-2027 staff will be held on Friday evening, April 24, 2026. Participation is required for all 2026-27 staff, including new staff and current staff who are returning.

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