Become a Leader with the Longhorn Wellness Center’s Peer Educator Program
Published: January 29, 2025
Are you passionate about health and well-being? Do you want to create a healthier campus culture on the Forty Acres? The Longhorn Wellness Center is accepting applications for the incoming cohort of Peer Educators, running from February 5-March 16, 2025.
Through a combination of classroom instruction and practical experience, the Peer Educator program offers students a unique chance to gain leadership experience. In addition to becoming knowledgeable on relevant college health issues including substance abuse, sleep, mental health, and healthy sexuality, peer educators also take on campus leadership roles by organizing workshops, distributing resources, and spearheading wellness programs that have an immediate impact on their peers and the UT community.
Aran Belani, Ppeer educator and sophomore majoring in public health from Cypress, TX
When Aran initially discovered the program, he saw an opportunity to educate and make an impact. His interest in public health, specifically in harm reduction and sexual health, motivated him to join. He states, “Whether it’s promoting harm reduction or sexual health, being a Peer Educator has shown me that health promotion goes beyond just spreading information – it’s about making individual connections and engaging in conversations that can really make a difference.”
For me, the Peer Educator program has been incredibly fulfilling. Learning from my peers and developing as a team has been just as important as sharing knowledge with others. Every experience has helped in the development of my leadership and communication abilities.
- Aran Belani
Andrea Montenegro, a peer educator and junior majoring in biology with a certificate in Spanish and health professions from Corpus Christi, TX
Andrea had solely been focused on her biology studies prior to joining the peer educators, but she quickly discovered a new interest in wellness. "I was so focused on my biology major before I joined, but this program has exposed me to initiatives focused on making a positive impact on well-being and communication strategies that I were not aware existed," she continued. It has sparked an interest in wellness and health promotion, which may influence my future professional trajectory.
The Peer Educator program has been an amazing opportunity for me to grow as a leader and connect with other like-minded students. It’s about teaching others in addition to learning and growing alongside them. I’ve become more confident in public speaking and in my ability to have vital, sometimes challenging conversations about wellness.
- Andrea Montenegro
Created for Impact
When the Longhorn Wellness Center was formed in 2018, it united two separate health promotion programs within University Health Services and the Counseling and Mental Health Center to create a unified platform for shaping health and well-being on campus. As part of this merger, the Peer Educator program was created, evolving into a robust, student-led initiative that allows students to engage with a variety of health topics and create long-term impact across campus.
For Aran, the program has provided invaluable insights into how teaching and communication impact medicine and wellness. “I’m still figuring out exactly what I want to do in the future, but being a Peer Educator has given me a look into how teaching and communicating health information can be part of a career in both medicine and public health,” he said.
Strengthening Community, Confidence and Skills
As a Peer Educator, you'll be part of a team of eager individuals and build friendships while improving your leadership and public speaking skills. Over the course of three semesters, you'll work together on projects such as participating in safer sex supply distribution and represent the Longhorn Wellness Center in well-being related events on campus. You'll also lead workshops on health topics like supportive communication, coping with failure, imposter syndrome, suicide prevention, sleep and rest and more.
Andrea contemplates on how the program has helped her grow: “Being a Peer Educator has taken me outside of my comfort zone and allowed me to build actual leadership skills. I’ve had the chance to spearhead workshops and hand out resources, which has improved my public speaking abilities and given me the tools to lead with confidence and compassion.”
In addition, you'll also be able to create and implement your own "pod projects," professional development initiatives designed to focus on specific health needs at UT Austin. Previous projects have included establishing an additional safer sex supply pickup point at 2400 Nueces and developing expanded mindfulness resources for students. These student-driven actions have made a lasting impact on the campus community, enabling students to take charge of their health and wellness in meaningful ways.
Why Apply?
Becoming a Peer Educator isn’t just about adding to your résumé — it’s about making an actual impact. As a Peer Educator, you’ll:
- Earn academic credit while developing leadership skills.
- Fulfill an Ethics Flag and Independent Inquiry Flag requirements.
- Gain knowledge on a variety of health topics relevant to college students, which may include mental health, sleep, substance use, healthy sexuality and more.
- Positively influence your peers and UT Austin campus community.
- Help students connect their mental and physical well-being.
- Build public speaking and group facilitation skills.
- Advocate for a healthier campus and create change in a meaningful way.
- Speak with fellow students about sensitive health and well-being topics.
- Become part of a supportive team.
- Engage in opportunities to practice self-care.
A Career-Ready Program
The skills you gain as a Peer Educator are transferable, whether you plan to continue your education or enter the professional world. Educators develop skills in leadership, communication and teamwork, making them prepared for a range of future careers, from healthcare and wellness to education and social services. Many students even discover new passions, with some choosing to shift their career paths after their experience.
Andrea reflects on how the program has helped shape her future: “The mentorship and guidance from the Peer Educator program have been priceless. Working alongside experienced mentors like Angelique Karditzas, Health Promotion Coordinator and Madeline Shaw, Mental Health Promotion Coordinator has given me the tools to navigate complex health topics, while also learning to be a better communicator and leader in my community.”
Aran also feels that the program has influenced his view on the future of his career: “Whether I end up in healthcare policy or as a doctor, the Peer Educator program has taught me how crucial it is to educate people on a personal level. You can’t just rely on posters or flyers to spread health messages; face-to-face communication is key to making a lasting impact.”
What We’re Looking For
You don’t have to be a pre-health major to apply. The Longhorn Wellness Peer Educator program thrives on the variety of its participants. We’re looking for students who are excited about promoting health and wellness, willing to learn and focus on being part of a supportive, collaborative team. Whether you're interested in wellness, mental health or just want to make a beneficial impact on campus, we welcome students from all academic backgrounds.
If you're ready to grow, lead and make a difference, we want to hear from you! The application period runs from February 5 to March 16, 2025, so don’t miss your chance to become part of this transformative program.
To apply, complete this form and visit the Longhorn Wellness Center for more information on the program. Start your journey as a Peer Educator today!