Student Spotlight: Peer Health Education Team

In an occasional series, Royal News spotlights clubs from the university’s 100+ student organizations on campus, speaks to members and offers information on how to connect with the clubs. 

To suggest a club for a future Royal News article, to share ideas or to inform us of any upcoming club events, please email RoyalNews@scranton.edu or ryan.sophabmixay@scranton.edu

GET INVOLVED

Club: Peer Health Education team

Meet: Steph Patullo, from Hillsborough, New Jersey, is in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program and a Graduate Assistant for the Peer Health Education team

Role in the club: Graduate Assistant

Connect: @uofschew

Q: You’re hosting upcoming activities, among them The Fitness Challenge.  Would you offer details about the activities upcoming this spring, their goals and how people can participate?

"The Fitness Challenge registration closed recently with over 1,100 participants, but there are opportunities for all students to participate in special events and educational pop-ups that will take place during the challenge from Feb.12 - March 8. Special groups, including Women's Weightlifting, Beginners Lifting, Royal Rhythms, Cardio Kickboxing, and themed spin rides, are open to everyone on campus! Check out our Instagram and website for more information. The goal of the Fitness Challenge is to encourage students, faculty, and staff to participate in 150 minutes of physical activity per week  to benefit their physical, mental and social health. We want to emphasize that activity is for everyone, whether its walking to class, taking the stairs, or trying a new fitness class. There are opportunities all across campus to prioritize physical health."

Q: What is the Peer Health Education team's overall mission? 

"The Peer Health Education Team is the nationally-certified student leadership group for the Center for Health Education and Wellness. The goal is for members of the team to be agents of change, promoting individual well-being and a healthy campus community. Peer Health Educators create health and wellness programming 'for students, by students,' addressing trends on campus and helping fellow students create and implement healthy practices in alignment with the eight dimensions of wellness."

Q: Why would you recommend someone join?

"Students who are looking to get involved on campus in a leadership capacity and hoping to find like- minded students who are are interested in wellness. Being a Peer Health Educator is an opportunity for leadership growth, and social growth, helping students find their home on campus. Students will gain knowledge related to the eight dimensions of wellness, practice professional skills, and have a creative outlet. It all culminates in the development of educational events and activities for campus."

Q: Why did you join the club?

"I joined the Peer Team in 2018, my sophomore year, because of my interest in health and wellness, but what I took away was so much more. Through the program I gained lifelong friends, professional skills and self efficacy through the community and opportunities offered by the program."

Q: When and where does the Peer Health Education team meet? What topics do you discuss?

"The Peer team meets every Friday 3:30 - 4:40 p.m. in the Roche Wellness Center student learning lab. It is a private space for the Peer team to gather to work on CHEW projects, socialize and study. A typical meeting will include a team- bonding activity, an educational segment on current topics, and mock practice of upcoming activities and events. The meetings are facilitated by the Peer Health Education Leaders and members of the entire team to keep the time fun and engaging."

Q: Any other events or activities you present as a club throughout the year?

"In the spring semester, the Peer Health Education team hosts Glow and Dough, a Late Night Yoga event with free Jitty Joe’s cookie dough and trivia, a Mental Health Awareness event, the Sleep Challenge, and Stress Less Week. Keep an eye out for posters and social media advertising these events!"

Q: Anything we have not asked about that you’d like to mention?

"We want to specify that the Peer Health Education Team is a student leadership organization under CHEW, and not a student-run club.

We are currently recruiting for next year's Peer Health Education team! If you are looking to get involved on campus, find like-minded students, gain leadership skills, and join a community focused on being happy and healthy, then CHEW is for you! Applications close March 8 and can be found on the Center for Health Education and Wellness Royal Sync or by using this link. We encourage students of all majors to apply!"