Student Health Advisory Committee
About SHAC
Mission Statement
Why Choose SHAC?
Get Involved
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact Us
Current Member Resources
2017-2018 SHAC Leadership Team
About SHAC
The Student Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) provides an essential link between University Health Services (UHS) and the UT student body. SHAC represents the student body in relaying student health concerns to UHS, helps to promote UHS services and initiatives, and participates actively in UHS-sponsored events.
SHAC membership meets twice weekly: general body meeting on Thursday 5-6PM and subcommittee meeting TBD. We work on student-led projects, plan campus-wide events, and hear from university guest speakers and provide feedback to UHS on a variety of health-related initiatives. SHAC offers members an opportunity to engage in a range of leadership and volunteer opportunities throughout each semester.
SHAC is made up of members selected through an application and interview process. The diverse membership includes undergraduate and graduate students, international students, and students from a variety of backgrounds, interests and majors.
SHAC Mission Statement
To serve as a liaison between the student body and the University Health Services (UHS) administration by representing student health concerns and by promoting health on campus.
SHAC acts as a student organization for individuals interested in promoting health-related issues and gaining leadership skills in order to represent all groups of the student body and voice student concerns to UHS staff and administrators.
Why Choose SHAC?
As a member of the Student Health Advisory Committee, you will have the opportunity to:
Member Testimonials
"Being a part of SHAC for the last 3 years has really shaped my college experience for the better. Not only have I gotten first-hand knowledge of how UHS works by volunteering at events, but I have also had the chance to make a real impact on campus by serving as the student voice of UHS." -Maria Alvarenga, President 2014-2015
"Student Health Advisory gives students the unique opportunity to provide feedback directly to the professionals who work at University Health Services. It's exciting to have UHS's public health professionals come to our meetings and ask for input about various topics in order to improve student health." -Anita Vasudevan, 4th year member
"As a graduate student, SHAC has connected me to the larger UT student community and inspired me to give back to my UT community to increase student health and wellness." -Casey Walsh, 1st year member
Accomplishments
SHAC is involved in a wide range of activities, including:
SHAC recruits new members each semester. Check back soon for more information on how to apply.
When does SHAC meet?
What happens at SHAC weekly meetings?
What happens at subcommittee weekly meetings?
Are there point requirements?
What type of volunteering opportunities are offered?
Get Involved
Frequently Asked Questions
Our mandatory meetings are twice a week. General Body meetings with all SHAC members are on Thursday evenings from 5:00-6:00 PM. Subcommittee meetings are separate one hour meetings that are led by the SHAC leadership team on a weekly basis.
Meetings are where we brainstorm ideas for student-led initiatives and put plans in place to execute those initiatives. Members regularly have workshops, speakers, and opportunities for education and professional development. We also socialize, eat food together, and have fun!
We break into groups and work on different health initiatives or SHAC events on campus. Members have the opportunity to rank their subcommittee preferences at the first SHAC weekly meeting.
Yes, members must complete a set number of hours of volunteer work related to UHS and SHAC programs and events.
There are numerous volunteer opportunities including tabling for outreach and recruitment and staffing events put on by SHAC for the campus community. These include:
Contact SHAC
2019-2020 SHAC Leadership Team
Omar Vayani, President
Year: Senior
Major: Biochemistry
"As a member of the Student Health Advisory Committee, I have been given
many amazing opportunities to facilitate how the student body views
University Health Services. Being a part of this organization has served as a
major highlight of my undergraduate career, and I could not imagine working
with any other group of individuals to make this lasting change. It is amazing
to see SHAC and the UHS Senior Administrative Staff work in tandem to push
for a healthier student body through different events and initiatives. I'm excited
to see what this next year has in store for us as we continue to help SHAC
and UHS flourish."
Omar Shaikh, Vice-President
Year: Senior
Major: Biology
"When I started off as a freshman at UT, I wanted to find a way to enact
healthcare changes on campus in a meaningful way. Being a part of SHAC
has let me do that by providing me with the opportunity to identify and solve
health related problems that students face on campus, and consequently,
enable students to perform at their highest potential – when they're healthy.
This experience has encouraged me to think about healthcare on a much
broader scale. Overall, being a part of SHAC has been one of the most
rewarding experiences during my time here at UT, and I can't imagine what it
would have been like without it."
Shreya Mallena, Administrative Director
Year: Senior
Major: Public Health and Biochemistry Honors
“Joining SHAC has allowed me to find a smaller group of people at UT.
Coming from a small high school, I felt so overwhelmed, especially within the
pre-med community; SHAC was an organization that made me feel at home.
During my time in SHAC, I have been able to advocate for students on
campus and promote health concerns to UHS. SHAC has allowed me to serve
as a liaison between the student body and UHS, and this has been such an
integral part of my college experience. I can’t wait to serve as the
Administrative Director and continue helping the organization grow this
upcoming year!"
Sahar Jiwani, Financial Director
Year: Senior
Major: Biology
“Student Health Advisory Committee has been an avenue through which I feel
more connected to UT and the student body. Having the ability to make
lasting changes on this campus that contribute to improving the health and
wellness of students is extremely rewarding. In the process, I have been able
to meet and build strong friendships with like-minded individuals whose
passion and drive I have come to admire. I have been able to accomplish
many goals alongside my peers in SHAC, which has been a real highlight of
my college experience."
Viana Phan, Recruitment and Membership Engagement Director
Year: Junior
Major: Public Health
“Being a part of SHAC has given me the opportunity to implement changes to
student health education and make lasting friendships and memories. SHAC
is an inspiring environment of passionate people pushing new initiatives to
better serve the needs of our student body. It is so gratifying to collaborate
with other student leaders to help our students become healthyhorns and fulfill
their greatest potential.”
Taeeun Kim, Communications Director
Year: Senior
Major: Biology and Plan II Honors
"The platform that SHAC has given me as a student leader allowed me to
recognize the right that every single student has to know about all the
available health resources on our campus. Getting to be a part of an
organization that empowers fellow students to make more informed decisions
concerning their health during their four years at UT has not only been
inspiring, but has also motivated me to actively put my own health at the
forefront. The momentum created by student leaders seeking change is
indescribable and powerfully visible in SHAC; I’m excited for what is to come
in the upcoming year!"
Ananya Roy, Officer Liasion
Year: Senior
Major: Neuroscience and Plan II Honors
"Through my involvement with SHAC, I have been able to legitimize my
platform to speak on student awareness of collegiate health systems and
facilitate their interaction with UT's health services. By being given the
opportunity to attend the American College Health Association's annual
conference as a member of SHAC, I was able to educate on a national level
the importance of having a bridge between the student population and
University Health Services (UHS) and advocating for the feasibility of access
to services despite ability to pay or other potential barriers."
Supriya Anand, Officer Liasion
Year: Sophomore
Major: Human Development and Family Sciences
“As a member of SHAC, I have been granted the unique opportunity to
collaborate with driven and passionate students in order to improve health
services on campus. Through research projects and volunteer events, I have
witnessed the impact SHAC has on our campus and students. Having
firsthand experience at UHS has helped expand my knowledge on student
healthcare, and I can't wait to carry my experiences with me throughout my
undergraduate career.”
