UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Health Promotion and Wellness, a unit of Penn State Student Affairs, is currently accepting applications for HealthWorks, a peer outreach and education program designed to advocate for health among students at University Park. Applications are currently being accepted through March 2.
HealthWorks offers two unique opportunities for students with an interest in health and wellness to get involved on campus. These opportunities include facilitating one-on-one wellness services to peers, and holding outreach events and educational workshops. During the application process, interested students will have the option to prioritize which opportunity they are most interested in.
Participation in the program is a three-semester commitment, which includes one semester of training and two semesters of service. For this reason, students who wish to apply must plan to graduate in fall 2019 or later.
Training for the program requires the completion of a three-credit course offered through the Department of Biobehavioral Health during the fall semester. Topics covered in the course include alcohol and other drugs, financial literacy, sexual health, nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress and other health topics that are relevant to the college population. There are no prerequisites required for the course.
Upon successful completion of the training course, participants are asked to complete 45 hours of service each semester. This can be completed by providing free wellness services to peers that address topics such as stress and time management, physical activity, nutrition, sleep, sexual health and healthy relationships, and financial literacy, or by staffing outreach tables at special events, hosting health programs and workshops, planning and implementing health promotion initiatives, and providing HIV pre and post-test counseling.
If you’re passionate about health and promoting the well-being of all Penn State students, then HealthWorks is a great fit for you,” said Christina Volpicelli, a senior majoring in biobehavioral health. “HealthWorks also offers many leadership and learning opportunities for its members, such as video editing, leading health campaigns, public speaking and teaching skills to educate the Penn State community. Everything you will learn and the people you will meet through this organization will benefit you throughout any career you wish to pursue.”
In addition to the activities listed above, HealthWorks participants may also gain experience by participating in healthy cooking demonstrations, writing blog and social media posts for Healthy Penn State and organizing special programs such as The Body Monologues and Safer Spring Break.
For more information about HealthWorks or to apply, visit http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/health/wellness/healthWorks.shtml.