Peer Education Program

Students helping Students take charge of their health!

The Peer Education Program at McKinley is designed to promote student leadership by utilizing students to provide health and wellness education to their peers.

Students involved in peer education through McKinley Health Center develop public speaking and program planning skills, enhance their leadership capabilities and increase their knowledge of health and wellness.

McKinley peers educate university students through interactive programming, awareness campaigns and the distribution of health materials and information. McKinley Peer Educators dialogue with their peers about issues related to college life.

 Nutrition Peers

Seniors in FSHN, these peers provide workshops to campus groups that address general and sports nutrition. Nutrition Jeopardy is a popular program presented by the Nutrition Peers. These peers also help coordinate National Nutrition Month, celebrated in March. Nutrition Peer Programs include Healthy Buffet Style Eating, Dieting Myths, Sports Nutrition Basics, Take a Nutritionist to  Dinner or let us tailor a custom-made program just for your group. In addition, we have a number of fun games that make our programs interactive but educational like Nutrition Jeopardy, Boozo Buckets, Phytochemical Twister, and  Fiber Black Jack. The Nutrition Peers can also provide bulletin boards and trifold displays for any setting upon request.

• To schedule a Nutrition Workshop, submit an on-line request form, call Health Education at 333-2714 or call SportWell Center at 244-0261.

 Sexual Health Peers

These peers offer four workshops on campus that address STI's, Birth Control Safer Sex & Healthy Relationships. The Sexual Health Peers also plan and implement educational campaigns to address breast cancer, HIV/AIDS, STI prevention, condom use and other sexual health topics. New members can join the Sexual Health Peers at the beginning of fall and spring semesters. The Sexual Health Peers are the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign affiliate of BACCHUS. The BACCHUS Peer Education Network is an international association of college and university-based peer education programs focusing on health and safety issues of college students.

• To schedule a Sexual Health Workshop, submit an on-line request form or call 333-2714.

• To learn how to become a Sexual Health Peer Educator, contact the Sexual Health Educator at 333-2714.

 Stress Management Peers

These students address issues relating to stress and time management. They facilitate the workshop: Relaxation of the Mind and Body, teaching students progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery, and other stress reduction techniques. The Stress Management Peers also coordinate awareness events such as Stress Buster Bash, and distribute Stress Relief Packs to students at finals time each semester.

• To schedule a Stress Management Workshop, submit an on-online request form or call 333-2714.

• To learn how to become a Stress Management Peer Educator, contact the Stress Management Educator at 333-2714.

 Fitness Peers

These peers consist of undergraduate students in Kinesiology and Community Health who provide education about physical fitness and wellness to the campus community.  The Fitness Peers can design informational programs for your specific group or they can attend larger events that promote physical fitness. Through the use of a variety of fitness equipment, the Fitness Peers can demonstrate and promote proper exercise techniques. Or, bring your group to the Oasis and the peers can set up mini fitness stations, which might include the Nintendo Wii, medicine balls, and strength training machines. Interactive programs such as “From High School Athlete to College Student” and “The Fat Burn Button” which dispels the ten most common exercise myths are available.

• To schedule a Fitness Workshop, submit an on-line request form or call 244-0261.

• To learn how to become a Fitness Peer Educator, contact the Fitness Educator at 244-0261.

 INNER VOICES Social Issues Theatre

INNER VOICES addresses contemporary social and health issues pertinent to the college experience through performances followed by facilitated discussions. This program is a collaborative effort between McKinley Health Center, the Counseling Center and the Department of Theatre. To schedule a performance by INNER VOICES, or to learn how to get involved, contact Lisa Fay, Coordinator for INNER VOICES in the Health Education Department at 333-2714 or J.W. Morrissette, the Assistant Program Coordinator for INNER VOICES at 244-5919.  You may also Email innervoices@uiuc.edu.

Special Populations

Students who join Special Populations raise awareness on campus about multi-cultural health, including the health disparities that exist for certain populations. Special Populations promote social justice, healthy lifestyles and access to healthcare through education and outreach to underserved populations on campus, including international students.

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