Bobcat Peer Educators

Hi everyone! My name is Addy Benn, I am a third-year Psychology major also working towards my Professional Deaf Liaison Certificate! My pronouns are she/her. I wanted to become a Bobcat Peer Educator because I value creating safe spaces for students on campus. The Health Promotion office focuses on different topics that can promote healthy lifestyles within students on campus. I am passionate about Mental Health, Sexual Health, and healthy relationships. I want to further my knowledge on additional topics so I can better support students in any ways they need. I'm also a member of Psi Chi (International Honor Society for Psychology)!

• Major:Journalism News & Information
• Minor:African American Studies
• Certificate:Women, Gender, & Sexuality Studies
• Pronouns:She/her/hers
• Why I wanted to be a Bobcat Peer Health Educator
  • As a first generation, low-income, queer cancer survivor, I know firsthand how members of minority groups can be particularly vulnerable in society, and especially on college campuses. I wanted to become a Bobcat Peer Educator because I strive to be resourceful and helpful to the people that interact with me, and I think it’s increasingly more important in today’s age to have someone with a nuanced experience advocating for those individuals.
• Areas of Passion:Healthcare, socio-economic justice, mental health and suicide awareness, eating disorder awareness, intersectional social justice, and drug usage.
• Other Involvements:Semester in D.C. alumni, news writer for WJLA-TV “The National Desk” broadcast, student ambassador for E.W. Scripps School of Journalism
  

• Biological Sciences Pre-Professional Major
• Pronouns:she/her/hers
• I wanted to become a Bobcat Peer Educator because I value the importance of creating a safe, welcoming, and accessible campus in which all students feel that their health and well-being needs are met. 
• Areas of passion/expertise:Sexual health and healthy relationships; Harm reduction related to alcohol and other drugs.
• Other organizations:Pre-Student Osteopathic Medical Association- Treasurer; Delta Zeta Sorority- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Chair, Margaret Boyd Scholar.

Hello everyone! My name is Hazel (She/Her), and I am a first-year student majoring in community and public health and pursuing a certificate in Appalachian Studies. I was drawn to the Bobcat Peer Educator position because I am passionate about creating discussions around difficult topics and promoting healthy lifestyles. I am continuously learning and gaining new skills in this position, preparing me for my future in health education. I am passionate about supporting and educating students on harm-reduction strategies. I plan to learn more about all aspects of health promotion here at OHIO, so I can better support more students. I am also a member of the OHIO Sierra Club and Eta Sigma Gamma (Public and Environmental Health Honor Society).

• Major: Biological Sciences
• Pronouns: She/Her

Being a peer educator fits well with my passion for promoting health literacy through advocacy and education. I am particularly interested in well-being and mental health advocacy. As a friend, sister, and daughter, I often find myself being a source of support for those around me, whether it's offering advice or simply being there to listen. I believe mental health and wellbeing advocacy begins within one's immediate circle, and this inspired me to become a peer educator—to be a great wealth of support and bridge of resources to those around me and the community wherever I find myself in. Additionally, I wanted to be part of a community that shares my commitment to these values.

Hello everyone!! My name is Iana Byrd (She/Her), a senior majoring in Biological Sciences with a minor in Health Care Administration. My goal is to become a Plastic Surgeon specializing in cosmetic surgery. Currently, I am an active member in two student organizations called MAPS (Minority Association of Pre-Health Students) and MSBC (Multicultural Student Business Caucus).  

My interest in the Bobcat Peer Educator position stems from my experience during my first year of college. I was a part of a weekly walk group that served as a valuable outlet for students, promoting a healthy lifestyle and aiming to prevent lifelong conditions. Now, I see this position as Well-Being Peer Educator as an opportunity to extend the positive impact I experienced to a wider audience, leveraging greater resources and knowledge. I’m excited about the prospect of contributing to the well-being of our campus community! 

• Major:Mechanical Engineering
• Pronouns:she/they
• Why did I want to be a BPE?:
  • I care very passionately about the OHIO community, and I want to see all its members thrive. Being a Bobcat Peer Educator gives me the opportunity to connect with others and make sure everyone gets the knowledge, resources, and help they may need to be happy and healthy.
• Areas of Passion/Expertise:Sexual Health and Relationships, Mental Health
• Additional Organizations:Lost Flamingo Theatre Company, Alpha Omicron Pi, Society of Women Engineers

• Major:Social Work
• Pronouns:She/her/hers
• Why I wanted to be a Bobcat Peer Health Educator
  • One of my big  passions is advocacy. Through being a Peer Health Educator I am able to advocate and educate my peers on struggles they may face in their everyday lives. Through this position I can raise awareness on college students struggles and connect them with resources that will support their college experience 
• Areas of Passion:Sexual Assault, Trauma-Informed Care, Dating Violence, Mental Health
• Other Involvements:Delta Gamma Sorority, Student Social Work Association, Learning Community Leader

• Major:WGSS, Journalism
• Pronouns:She/her/hers
• Why I wanted to be a Bobcat Peer Health Educator
  • I wanted to become a Bobcat Peer Health Educator because I love connecting my peers to resources and being helpful, especially with topics that may seem hard to start
• Areas of Passion:Trauma informed care, Harm reduction, alcohol and other drugs , mental health
• Other Involvements:Cutler Scholar, Triota Honor Society, CIAO Club, Bobcat Student Orientation, LGBT Center

• Political Science Pre-Law Major with a Certificate in German Studies.
• Pronouns: She/Her
• Why I became a Bobcat Peer Educator: I’m passionate about raising
  awareness around suicide prevention and advocating for mental health resources.
• Areas of passion: Mental Health Advocacy, Sexual Health, and Drug & Alcohol Safety

• Major: Hearing, Speech, and Language Sciences
• Certificate: Professional Deaf Resource Liaison Certificate
• Pronouns: She/Her

I wanted to become a Peer Educator to become an advocate for students on campus as well as to pose as a bridge between resources available and students on and off campus. Becoming more involved with the college of health sciences and professions, the Well-Being Deparrment, and the Office of promotions has helped fullfill my passions of helping others that in my future career in the healthcare field also coniside with. I know that being a Peer Educator I will be able to continue to grow knowledgeable in many different aspects of healthcare with working with the most knowledgable faculty members!

My name is Nicole Souza (she/her) and I'm a second year Health Services Administration major, with Public Health & Business Administration minors. I wanted to be a Bobcat Peer Educator to help the community and students with difficult situations that I think are sometimes overlooked. I also wanted to have an experience as an undergraduate in a field that relates to my intended career. My areas of passion are sexual health and interpersonal violence prevention. Apart from being a Peer Health Educator, I'm also a two-year member of the OU Vibrations dance team and Ohio University's Society of Health Administration. This year, I am also a Learning Community Leader, CHSP Student Ambassador, and participating in this year's Variant Magazine issue.

• Major: Journalism Strategic Communication
• Minor: Screenwriting and Digital Storytelling
• Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Why I want to be a Bobcat Peer Health Educator: I have always been deeply committed to the well-being of my community. Throughout my time in my hometown, I served as both a compassionate listener and a source of guidance for friends and peers. Helping others has always been important to me, and I appreciate that people feel comfortable opening up to me. I’m grateful to be in a position where I can provide guidance that isn't always readily available to those who need it. I've long been involved in efforts to bridge the gap between those in need and the resources that can help them. As a Bobcat Peer Health Educator at OU, I’m excited to continue this work.

• Areas of Passion: Sexual Health and Healthy Relationships, Mental Well-Being
• Additional Organizations: The Post Athens

• Nursing Major | Public Health Minor | Global Health Certificate 
• Pronouns: She/Her 
• I wanted to become a Peer Health Educator because it fit well with my passion of healthcare and promoting public health to others!
• My areas of passion are mental health advocation and drug and alcohol safety for students to find resources and alternatives to better their health!

• Major: Biomedical sciences(Pre-med)
• Pronouns: She/her
• I wanted to be a Bobcat peer educator because I am passionate when it comes to helping and advocating for others. Being a Peer Educator allows me to support my community as well as provide resources to students and faculty in need while creating a safe environment where everyone feels respected and comfortable.
• Area of Passion: Mental Health and Suicide Prevention

• Major: Biological Sciences (pre-PT)
• Minor: Psychology
• Pronouns: he/him/his

As a peer health educator, I find happiness in the opportunity to connect with others on a personal level, especially amidst the challenges and adversities of college life. By bonding over shared experiences and navigating through student life together, I can build meaningful connections that have value in both our lives.

• Areas of interest: Drug and Alcohol Safety, Anxiety and Well-being
• Other involvements: OSMAR Rankin Scholar, Housing & Resident Life, President of Indigenous Circles