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Health Promotion

Peer Education at DU HCC

The Thrive Peer Educators are a team of undergraduate peer educators with the University of Denver's Health and Counseling Center. The team employs about 20 paid peer educators annually. Learn more about the program, and how to get involved, below!

The Thrive Peer Educators are a select group of undergraduate student leaders who promote the health and well-being of the DU campus community through inclusive education, training, and engagement. As part of the HCC Health Promotion team, Thrive Peer Educators develop programs and implement outreach efforts regarding sexual health, mental health, gender violence prevention & education and alcohol and other drug education topics. Thrive Peer Educators facilitate "Intervene: DU," the active bystander trainings for all new first year students. In addition, they also serve as HCC ambassadors, as well as liaisons between the DU community and health professionals. This paid position is a 1 year commitment, with offers typically extended to students who are not graduating (i.e., you can return to this position as a junior, senior, etc), and required to work up to 30-40 hours per quarter.

Meet the Thrive Peer Educators!
    • Anit Tyagi photo

      Anit Tyagi

      Pronouns :  He/Him/His

      Majors: Chemistry, Political Science; Minors- Biology, Math

      Personal Interests: Playing pickleball, reading current evets, watching TV

    • Blake Nordstrom-Wehner photo

      Blake Nordstrom-Wehner

      Pronouns :  They/Them/Theirs

      Major: Gender & Women's Studies; Minors- Sociology, Critical Race & Ethnic Studies

      Personal Interests: Climbing, organizing/activism, naps

    • Dyna Arriaga photo

      Dyna Arriaga

      Pronouns : She/Her/Hers

      Majors: Gender and Women's Studies, Psychology

      Personal Interests: Scary movies and boba

    • Gracie Jacobson photo

      Gracie Jacobson

      Pronouns : She/Her/Hers

      Majors: Theatre & Finance

      Personal Interests: Guitar, backpacking, mountain biking

    • Jackson Burow photo

      Jackson Burow

      Pronouns : He/Him/His

      Major: BA/MA candidate in International Studies

      Personal Interests: Politics, sports, social justice, skiing, hiking, music

    • Jill Girardeau photo

      Jill Girardeau

      Pronouns:  She/Her/Hers

      Major: Undeclared

      Personal Interests:  Running, hiking, being outside, making art

    • John Haddock photo

      John Haddock

      Pronouns : He/Him/His

      Majors: Political Science, Public Policy; Minors: Leadership Studies, Statistics

      Personal Interests: Politics, dogs, meditation

    • Kameron Gottlieb photo

      Kameron Gottlieb

      Pronouns : She/Her/Hers

      Major: Molecular Biology, Minors- Chemistry and Sustainability

      Personal Interests: Playing guitar, dancing, knitting, skiing, and doing pretty much anything outdoors

    • Kate Maegley photo

      Kate Maegley

      Pronouns : She/Her/Hers

      Major: Psychology

      Personal Interests: Yoga, cooking, reading, menstrual equity

    • Kendrick Choong photo

      Kendrick Choong

      Pronouns:   He/Him/His

      Major: Business Analytics

      Personal Interests:   Weight-lifting, video games, college education

    • Lanie Cohen photo

      Lanie Cohen

      Pronouns : She/Her/Hers

      Majors: Gender & Women's Studies, Strategic Communications/ Intercultural Global Studies

      Personal Interests: Travel, skiing, childcare, reading, fashion, politics

    • Maya Bhowmik photo

      Maya Bhowmik

      Pronouns : She/Her/Hers

      Major: International Studies; Minors- Biology, Leadership Studies, Critical Race & Ethnic Studies

      Personal Interests: Reading, art, walks, live music, learning, deconstructing systems of oppression, cooking new things/family recipes, quality time with loved ones

      Megan Morrell photo

    • Megan Morrell

      Pronouns : She/Her/Hers

      Major: Political Science

      Personal Interests: Reading, debate, environmentalism

    • Morgan Martin photo

      Morgan Martin

      Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

      Major: Molecular Biology; Minors- Spanish, Chemistry, Leadership Studies

      Personal Interests: Singing, playing the guitar, writing, reading, politics, listening to podcasts

    • Naitra Ramchander photo

      Naitra Ramchander

      Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

      Majors: Molecular Biology & Psychology; Minors: Chemistry, Leadership, and Gender & Women's Studies

      Personal Interests: Hiking/backpacking, traveling, reading

    • Paige Otto photo

      Paige Otto

      Pronouns:  She/Her/Hers

      Majors: Public Policy & Socio-Legal Studies

      Personal Interests: Cross stitching, yoga, dogs, & a cappella

    • Sara Loughran photo

      Sara Loughran

      Pronouns:  She/Her/Hers

      Major: International Studies; Minors: English & Spanish

      Personal Interests: Writing, improv, video games, listening to music (k-pop especially), spending time with animals

    • Sarah Liang photo

      Sarah Liang

      Pronouns:  She/Her/Hers

      Majors: Psychology, Chinese; Minor- Marketing

      Personal Interests: Baking/cooking, shopping, reading, playing piano, listening to music

    • Susanna Skaran photo

      Susanna Skaran

      Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

      Majors: Psychology, Communication

      Personal Interests: Crafting, journaling, watching TV, sometimes reading

    • Victoria Rubio photo

      Victoria Rubio

      Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

      Major: Bio Chemistry; Minors: Psychology, Math, & Medical Physics

      Personal Interests: Skiing & painting

    • Wesley Mysinger photo

      Wesley Mysinger

      Pronouns : He/Him/His

      Majors: Psychology (Cognitive Neuroscience concentration), French

      Personal Interests: Making/drinking coffee, working out, cooking, reading research literature

Interested in Becoming a Peer Educator?

Thrive Peer Health Educators

The Thrive Peer Educator team interviews and hires new members in the Winter Quarter each year. To apply, you will fill out an online application (link below). If you are selected for an interview, a staff-person from Health Promotion will reach out to set up an interview with you. Once you complete the in-person interview, a decision will be made and someone from Health Promotion will let you know if you've been hired!

 

How to Apply

Do you care about college health issues such as mental health, sexual health, gender violence prevention, and alcohol and other drug topics? Do you have a passion for educating your peers about these topics and working to create a culture of care? Then apply to become a Thrive Peer Educator! Application Period: Applications will become available at the start of Winter Quarter.

FAQs

What happened to the Intervene Peer Educators? Why is there only one program now?
The two former Peer Educator teams have been merged under one program starting Fall 2020, still providing the same trainings and focus on Health Promotion topics. The Thrive Peer Educators will be facilitating the Intervene: DU training requirement like they have before, the RSO training requirement, and providing additional programming for the same focus areas through subcommittees.

I am not able to attend the required Spring training for the peer education program; should I still apply?
The Spring 2020 training is required for all new Peer Educators. It will be a time to learn content and build relationships with the rest of your team. If you are unable to attend the Spring training, you will not be eligible to be hired. We invite you to reapply next year!

Can I use my work-study award toward the Peer Education position?
Yes! On the application, there is a question that asks if you qualify for a work-study award. You can indicate "Yes", and whether you would like to apply that award to the Thrive Peer Educator role.

I will be studying abroad next Fall; can I still apply?
If you are applying as a new Peer Educator for the 2020-2021 year, unfortunately we cannot consider you for the position since we require a 1 year service commitment. We invite you to reapply next year!

I am not available on the interview day; can I still apply?
We can be flexible on the interview date and time. Please contact Katie Johnson (katie.johnson739@du.edu) to set up an alternate time within 1 week of the original interview date. Please notify us promptly about your interest in setting up an alternative interview time.

What is the hour commitment and/or compensation for being a Peer Educator?
Each Peer Educator can expect to work approximately 30-40 hours per quarter, averaging 3-4 hours per week, with the expectation of working some evening and weekend events. Peer Educators will be compensated at $12.85/hour for work related to the position through 2020; in 2021, compensation will continue to reflect state wage requirements.