Peer Education Group Advisors Training Conference

Our peer education group advisors come from varied professional backgrounds, usually in student affairs or public health fields. Advising peer education groups is a unique opportunity for advisors who must draw from a variety of disciplines and resources to assist the organization and to accomplish the campus' mission and goals in achieving student learning and growth. Peer education advisors must have knowledge in student and organization development, be current on health issues and effective strategies, and effectively promote the efforts of the group to the campus community in prevention efforts.

For some, the advisor role is part of job responsibilities on campus. For others, they volunteer their time to work with the students on prevention issues. This conference comes in response to requests from all types of advisors with varying levels of experience around the country who have asked for additional support in their advising role and who want to share challenges and successes with colleagues.

The conference also builds on the Professional Competencies for student affairs professionals, as outlined by the American College Personnel Association (ACPA).

Advisors need to guide students in the process of becoming credible educators, leaders, and role models in health and safety initiatives while allowing them to learn and grow. As professionals, we often have high standards in offering quality education programs to students. How do we build up and support our peer educators to deliver health messages that are meaningful to our campus? How do we allow for student creativity and give up some of our control in the process? How do we get students to plan in advance for programs?

Participants will explore the successes and challenges of the advising role and discuss important topics related to peer education and health issues. Making time to reflect and learn with one another as colleagues does not happen often enough. This is your opportunity to do something for your professional development and in turn bring back important ideas to create greater success in prevention efforts on your campus.

If you are new to the peer educator advisor role or a seasoned veteran, please join us as we examine the many facets of being a peer education group advisor.

New in 2010: The Advisors Conference will be jointly held with BACCHUS' National Tobacco Symposium on Young Adults. Attendees will be able to choose which sessions they would like to attend.