P.A.W.S.
Peers Advocating Wellness Successfully
Who are Peer Educators?
• P.A.W.S. is the GCSU chapter of The BACCHUS Network, a national organization that focuses on college health and safety issues. (www.bacchusgamma.org).
• Peer Educators provide programming and disseminate information concerning alcohol, drugs, sexuality, and other health-related issues to their fellow college students.
• Peer Educators are caring helpers who serve as a resource to fellow students in need.
• Peer Educators are role models who make healthy choices and encourage healthy and positive choices in the lives of others.
• Peer Educators are certified through a BACCHUS national training program designed to empower them to educate, confront, listen to, and help their peers make healthy lifestyle choices.
• Peer Educators subscribe to a national Code of Ethics that includes treating others with respect and dignity, honoring diversity, maintaining confidentiality except in situations of danger to self or others, serving as a link between students and professional support services on campus, and accepting supervision.
When Should I Utilize a Peer Educator?
Students:
Peer Educators can be contacted for confidential one-on-one peer support. They can listen, help with brainstorming and planning for behavior change, and offer referrals to professional support services on campus. Peer Educators are not mental health professionals. They are not trained to provide counseling, but can help you to explore a wellness concern, problem-solve, and find the motivation to change.
Students, Faculty, & Staff:
Another great reason to utilize a Peer Educator is a program or presentation for your group. Peer Educators are trained in presentation skills and can provide a program for your group on their own, or in conjunction with staff from wellness services on campus. These departments include Student Health Services, Kinesiology/Health Education, Wellness Depot, Women's Resource Center, and Counseling Services.
How Do I Contact a Peer Educator?
For a program request, please contact a P.A.W.S. advisor: Chris Lamphere (chris.lamphere@gcsu.edu) or Jennifer Strole (jennifer.strole@gcsu.edu) or call us at (478) 445-5331.
If you are a student and would like to speak to a peer educator, contact him or her through mycats email.
2009-2010 GCSU Peer Educators:
Bordon, Paul paul_bordon@ecats.gcsu.edu
Cephas, Tonia tonia_cephas@ecats.gcsu.edu
Cooper, Erin erin_cooper@ecats.gcsu.edu
Conway, Lauren lauren_conway@ecats.gcsu.edu
Frick, Becca bekagoose@yahoo.com
Marchant, Justin justin_marchant@ecats.gcsu.edu
Nix, Katie kathryn_nix@ecats.gcsu.edu
Ragan, Katie kathleen_ragan@ecats.gcsu.edu
Sengun, Kayla kayla_sengun@ecats.gcsu.edu
Snell, Chandler chandler_snell@ecats.gcsu.edu
Snyder, Katie katie_snyder@ecats.gcsu.edu
Williams, Hannah hannah_williams1@ecats.gcsu.edu
Canale, Kirsten tigrekc@aol.com
Dixon, Alex alexandra_dixon@ecats.gcsu.edu
Eissner, Suzy susan_eissner@ecats.gcus.edu
Tuck, Britton britton_tuck@ecats.gcsu.edu
How Do I Become a Peer Educator?
Contact a PAWS advisor, Chris Lamphere (chris.lamphere@gcsu.edu) or Jennifer Strole (jennifer.strole@gcsu.edu) or call us at (478) 445-5331.
Membership incentives:
Opportunity to earn service hours
Development of marketable skills for employers
Training certification to show employers
Opportunity to present at conference
Chance to earn letters of recommendation
Free regional conference participation
Peer Educator t-shirt
Membership requirements:
Participation in BACCHUS training
Must pass BACCHUS certification test
2.5 minimum GPA
Legal and low-risk personal alcohol use
Service within PAWS
One year commitment to group
Participation in a monthly PAWS meeting
