By Kristy Volmert | Staff Writer
At Baylor University, a group of seventeen dedicated students are committed to enhancing the well-being of their peers through innovative health initiatives. These students work as Peer Health Educators and Well-Being Ambassadors under the Department of Student Care and Well-Being.
Meghan Becker, the director of the department, has praised these students for their creativity and effectiveness in promoting health awareness. ‘It’s been fun to watch the students creatively come up with things that they think will be effective,’ Becker stated. ‘They’re way more innovative and effective with it than I’d ever be.’
The peer health educators, typically majoring in medical or health-related fields, focus on public health awareness and education about wellness. Today’s college environment often leads students to neglect their well-being. According to Becker, ‘The role of student workers in increasing health awareness is fundamental, and peer-to-peer support has proven to be very effective.’
Cypress freshman Andrew Saldana, a psychology major and peer health educator, enjoys engaging with fellow students on crucial health topics. ‘In college, we kind of forget to take care of ourselves,’ Saldana reflected. ‘Through this job, I get to learn about wellness topics, and that can be incorporated into my college life.’
He aims to help cultivate holistic wellness strategies among students. Recently, he led a presentation on stress management, which Cypress freshman David Mauk described as practical and relatable. ‘They covered useful techniques like time management and self-care, which felt especially relevant with the pressures of school,’ Mauk noted.
The supportive work environment contributes to the well-being of the peer health educators themselves. Saldana shared, ‘The job itself actually reduces stress for me. It’s such a chill job; everyone’s so nice in the office.’ He typically works three times a week, engaging in research and media design related to wellness initiatives.
Becker highlighted that this is the first full academic year for the peer health educators program. ‘We learned how peer-to-peer help and connection is more effective, and that inspired it,’ she explained. The initiative is proving fruitful, and plans to hire more well-being ambassadors in the future are already in motion. ‘It’s really effective when students from that specific school work with that defined population,’ Becker added.
Both peer health educators and well-being ambassadors commit to a two-semester program, with ambassadors required to be at least sophomores. Applications for these roles will be opening soon via the student job board.
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