Peer Education FAQ's

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Q: What are peer health educators?

Peer health educators are UCSB students who focus on promoting a positive campus community that reflects the attitudes, behaviors, and values of a healthy lifestyle.

Peer health educators are student outreach presenters and advocates who are selected, trained, and given ongoing supervision in a specific health topic area. Training includes skills based training (e.g. active listening, public speaking and communication) and additional specific topic training. They take part in creating, planning and implementing health awareness weeks/months and programs throughout the UCSB community.

Peer health educators are dynamic individuals who are ready to make a significant contribution to this campus. As a peer educator, you believe in your ability to stimulate personal growth in yourself and others, and you recognize this talent as vital for a healthier student community.You understand that your contribution to this program will positively affect yourself and the peers you reach.

Q: What are the expectations and responsibilities of a peer educator?

1) Take the required training course,Education 191.
2) Attend all peer intern meetings
a. (Thursdays, 5-6:50pm)
b. Includes additional time during the week for committee meetings
3) Complete all necessary coursework to pass the class. This includes participating in:
a. presentations
b. tabling
c. environmental strategies
d. committee meetings and tasks
4) UCSB Student Health Center in a positive and accurate manner.


Q: What peer health education groups are there?

HEAL (Healthy Eating and Living)
S&R (Sex and Relationships)
STAR (Students Teaching Alcohol and Other Drug Responsibility)


Q: How do I become a peer health educator?

To become a UCSB peer health intern, take Education 191, the prerequisite training class. There are three classes, which are specific to each health topic. (ED191A - Sex and Relationships, ED191B - Alcohol and Drugs, ED191C - Healthy Eating and Living). At the end of the class, you can apply to become a peer health educator for the topic in which you were trained. The internship can be taken for 3 upper division academic units or as a volunteer.   Volunteers still need to have taken the prerequisite class and complete the expected workload.  Applications are always due the quarter prior by noon of the last day of instruction.


Q: I'd like the peer health educators to present to my group/residence hall. What programs do you offer?

Peer health educators can present on a variety of topics including:

Alcohol and Drugs
Healthy Eating and Living
Sexual Health and Relationships

If you are interested in a presentation, please complete the online presentation request form. Custom presentations can also be designed to meet the needs of your group. If you'd like to discuss a custom program further, contact Mark Shishim at mark.shishim@sa.ucsb.edu or 805-893-2053.




 Peer Health Education