Interested in becoming a Peer Educator? Download the Application. Please read the ENTIRE page below before you apply.
Application Process
Applications Due- Friday, March 16, 2012 turn in to Emily Virtue (Buntrock 107)
Individual interviews- March 26-28, 2012 sign up in Emily Virtue's office (Buntrock 107)
Group Interview- Thursday, March 29, 2012 6:00-8:00 p.m. Black Ballroom
Selection Notification- Friday, March 30, 2012
Peer Educator Mission:
The mission of the Peer Educators is to promote awareness and educational programs on healthy lifestyle choices to St. Olaf College students. The Wellness Center encourages personal responsibility and legal accountability in all choices involving alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. We believe the availability and utilization of harm reduction and intervention services is essential to supporting students. The Wellness Center strives to educate and support a community that encourages healthy and safe behaviors through personal responsibility, positive social norms, academic engagement and a vibrant co-curricular life. Programs hosted by the Wellness Center are open to all students.
Peer Educator Guiding Principles:
To realize our goals and make St. Olaf College a healthy and safe place to live, as Wellness Center Staff we are committed to being:
- Responsible- We will be trustworthy, dependable, accountable for the actions of other staff members and ourselves. We will always make moral, rational, and thoughtful decisions with the understanding of their impact on the larger whole and challenge those among us who may cause harm to our work or our reputation.
- Focused- We will be sincerely and steadfastly committed to our purpose and roles, understanding that they will demand our narrow attention and concentration. We will strive for excellence by following through with all responsibilities and seeing them to the end.
- Flexible- We will be responsive, open and devoted to constant improvement.
- Team Players- We will function as members of a group who selflessly relinquish personal recognition for the efficient completion of the group’s common goals.
- Mature- We will act as adults with appropriate behavior and attitude.
- Visionary- While accomplishing the details of our tasks, we will be cognizant of the role that the Wellness Center plays in the lives of St. Olaf students, always striving to realize the greater purpose.
- Fun- We will have fun and bring joy to our work and those around us by creating, supporting, and modeling an engaging and active learning environment where life-long, purposeful, active learning is the standard of our participation.
- Role Models- We will be worthy of emulation and imitation because we will understand our role as teachers and community standard bearers and function accordingly at all times, regardless of time, place or situation.
- Activists- We will be dedicated to recognizing issues and implementing solutions that meet the needs of the group within the greater framework of our work and these guiding principles.
- Educators- We will create change on the St. Olaf College campus by teaching our peers healthy lifestyle strategies, harm-reduction techniques and decision-making skills. We will be aware of trends, myths and misperceptions on campus and educate accordingly.
What Peer Educators Do:
Peer Educators are work study student employees of the Wellness Center. They identify student needs, coordinate ideas and suggestions, and assemble informational programs to support the St. Olaf College community in matters concerning alcohol, drugs, and healthy lifestyle issues. Peer educators may collaborate with Residential Life, SGA, faculty, Counseling Center, Health Services, Athletics, Public Safety, and other student organizations.
Qualifications:
- 2.8 Grade Point Average or above
- Desire to help other students
- Ability to organize and present materials
- Concern for the health and wellness of oneself and others
- Able to support and model the St. Olaf College alcohol policy
- Demonstrated leadership skills
Restrictions:
- Preference may be given to students who receive a financial aid student work study award for the 2012-2013 academic year and preferably will not be employed elsewhere on campus. Contact Emily Virtue if you questions.
- Applicants perferably will be on campus for Fall and Spring semesters (travel abroad during January term is acceptable).
- Applicants may not also be employed as a Resident Assistant.
- Applicants may not be employed to work Celebration Weekend as training (May 23-25) conflicts with CW responsibilities.
Responsibilities:
- Attend the BACCHUS/Gamma Peer Educator Conference (April 13-15, 2012 at Illinois State University)
- Attend Spring training session May 23-25, 2012. Note: This means you cannot be employed by another campus office to work for Graduation/Celebration Weekend.
- Attend training prior to Fall Semester (move in on the morning of September 2, 2012)
- Assist in social norming and educational activities during Week One
- Prepare and present a minimum of one program a month to students on campus
- Coordinate awareness weeks and hallway displays throughout the academic year
- Attend weekly Peer Educator meetings
- Become knowledgeable about drug/alcohol education and wellness resources and be prepared to refer students to appropriate resources
- Actively communicate with other peer educators and advisor
- Assist in the evaluation of program efforts, goals and outcomes, and offer input into future directions for the program
- Staff Wellness Center during hours of operation
- Actively work to be aware of issues on campus and respond to them
Desirable characteristics:
- Open-minded and honest
- Good communication skills; ability to work with students having diverse attitudes and beliefs
- Highly motivated
- Aware of both strengths and weaknesses
- Leadership potential/skills
- Ability to work well in a group
- Passion to create change
Questions? Contact Emily Virtue, Student Wellness Coordinator, virtue@stolaf.edu or call x3487
