UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — College is a time of new experiences, increased independence, and personal growth, and also can bring challenges such as managing stress, navigating relationships, maintaining healthy behaviors, and finding balance in day-to-day life. At Penn State, HealthWorks Peer Educators are helping students navigate these experiences through peer support.
Overseen by Health Promotion and Wellness, a unit within Penn State Student Affairs, HealthWorks Peer Educators are trained undergraduate students that provide interactive workshops, one-on-one wellness services and campus-wide outreach events, on a variety of topics such as sexual health, healthy relationships, nutrition, stress management, sleep, nature, art, and the mind-body connection. Peer educator students serve as trusted voices among their peers, helping to create safe and welcoming spaces for conversations that matter.
Promoting healthy behaviors in college and beyond
For Briana DeMarco, a senior majoring in biobehavioral health who has been a HealthWorks peer educator for two years, the strength of the program lies in its ability to provide safe, open environments for students to learn and reflect.
“The program provides students with a judgment free space to openly talk about health topics, allowing them to learn new information and healthy habits they can incorporate in their daily lives,” DeMarco said. “It also connects students with valuable resources that they might not even know about.”
Since the Fall 2024 semester, HealthWorks Peer Educators delivered over 350 one-on-one wellness services to their peers, helping them learn new skills to develop healthy behaviors while in college and beyond. Peer Educators provide six wellness service topics for students to choose from, including;
- Mission: Nutrition
- Got Sleep?
- Stress Less
- Relationships 101
- Mind-Body Connection
- Nature and Art Rx
Wellness services are offered in the Wellness Suite located in 020 Intramural (IM) Building and in the Flourish Suite located at 102 HUB-Robeson Center. These spaces are also available to students looking for quiet places on campus to relax or take a break from everyday stress. No appointment is necessary to use the 102 HUB and 20 IM wellness spaces.
Opportunities for personal and professional growth
HealthWorks is an opportunity where students can give back, while also taking steps in their own personal and professional growth. For Gidey Gezae, a senior majoring in communication sciences and disorders, HealthWorks has been about building confidence and learning how to lead important conversations.
“I decided to join because I was interested in gaining skills in public speaking and learning how to navigate dialogue on issues that are common for students on campus,” Gidey said. “Through HealthWorks, I’ve been able to educate and advocate for students, while also educating myself on healthy habits."
HealthWorks Peer Educators also get practice in public speaking and connecting with students on campus. Over the last two semesters, HealthWorks facilitated over 100 interactive workshops, reaching over 1800 Penn State students in academic classes, student organizations, student clubs and residence hall floors.
Those interested in scheduling a workshop, can completed the Workshop Request Form.
Emily Koenig, a junior majoring in nutrition and dietetics, described HealthWorks as much more than just an opportunity to educate.
"To me, HealthWorks means community. Within HealthWorks, we are also a little community, supporting each other and helping one another grow. We work to enhance the lives of our community here at Penn State and promote wellness for everyone here," Koenig said, crediting the program with helping her develop practical skills.
“HealthWorks has taught me time management, communication skills, and leadership,” she explained. “Workshops have built my confidence in terms of public speaking, and balancing school and work has helped my time-management skills.”
HealthWorks Peer Educators continue to engage with the Penn State community by meeting students where they are at by conducting outreach tables at a variety of events and locations around campus including at the HUB-Robeson Center, weekly "Well-Being Wednesday" tables at the IM building, and other events such as the health and resource fairs.
Become a peer educator and help make a difference
First and second-year students from all academic majors who have a passion for health and wellness can apply now to become a peer educator for the 2026-27 academic year. Health Promotion and Wellness seeks students looking to make a difference, develop practical career skills, or connect with a community that shares their passion for wellness.
For more information about the HealthWorks Peer Educators program, available services, and the application process to become a peer educator, visit the Health Promotion and Wellness website. Students can schedule a wellness session through myUHS, calling 814-863-0461, or emailing promotinghealth@psu.edu.
Penn State Student Affairs
Penn State Student Affairs supports holistic student success through advocacy, education, engagement and care. With more than 30 programs and units, Student Affairs helps students thrive in and out of the classroom, discover community and belonging, build leadership skills, and create lasting memories. All programs and events are open to all students, regardless of sex, gender, sexual orientation, race or other protected class. Student Affairs is committed to building a community of belonging for all. Learn more about Student Affairs programs at studentaffairs.psu.edu.