About HealthWorks
HealthWorks is a peer education/outreach program in University Health Services that aims to promote health among Penn State students.
The mission of HealthWorks is to:
- Increase awareness and knowledge of health issues such as sexual health, nutrition and fitness, stress, sleep, alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, body image and eating disorders, and wellness;
- Promote healthy lifestyle choices;
- Provide health education programs, information, and materials to students; and
- Advocate for a healthy Penn State community.
Benefits of Joining HealthWorks
There are many benefits, including:
- Gaining up-to-date knowledge needed to address various health issues,
- Developing your public speaking and leadership skills,
- Becoming a valuable health resource for your friends and peers,
- Advocating to improve health-related programs and services at Penn State,
- Making a difference in the health of Penn State students,
- Building friendships and your professional network,
- Working closely with health promotion staff,
- Enhancing your resume, and
- Earning academic credit.
Training You'll Receive
Training consists of a mandatory 3-credit class (BB H 324) that addresses health behavior theory, health promotion strategies, and health issues relevant to the college population. Health topics include alcohol and other drugs, nutrition, physical activity, sexual health, sleep and stress. The training class will be offered through the Department of Biobehavioral Health (BB H) in Fall 2013 on Tuesdays and Thursdays 5:00-6:15 pm.
Additional ongoing training will take place during the Spring 2014 semester.
Academic Credit
After completing the training class, members will earn 1 credit per semester through the BB H department (BB H 497B).
Time Commitment
You must be graduating Fall 2014 or later to be eligible for HealthWorks. This is due to a three semester commitment, which includes the training class in Fall 2013 and two semesters of service following the training class.
The two semesters of service involve completing 45 hours per semester. To fulfill this requirement, all members are expected to attend a 1 hour weekly meeting and participate in about 3 hours of service activities per week. Some examples of service activities are:
- Staffing outreach tables and events (e.g., Eating Disorders Awareness Week, Safer Spring Break, Earth Week, and Access to Protection safer sex outreach);
- Facilitating programs (e.g., Mission: Nutrition, Safer Sex Party, Stress Less);
- Planning and implementing health promotion initiatives (e.g., Healthy Eating with HealthWorks cooking videos, physical activity events); and
- Providing HIV pre- and post-test counseling.
Leadership Opportunities
There are several leadership opportunities that will help you develop additional skills after you have completed the semester of training. Examples include:
- Becoming a team leader to help manage health promotion initiatives,
- Coordinating health programming, and
- Collaborating with other groups on health promotion efforts.
How to Apply
You must be graduating Fall 2014 or later to be eligible for HealthWorks.
Complete our online application now. (Application is currently closed.) You will be asked to complete the application, submit 1 copy of your unofficial transcript, and have a current/former employer, advisor, or instructor complete 1 recommendation form. (Recommendation form is currently closed.)
The online application, transcript, and recommendation form must be received by March 1, 2013.
Applicants will be notified of whether or not they are selected for an interview by March 19, 2013. Interviews will take place March 25-29, 2013.
Interviewees will be notified of whether or not they are accepted into the HealthWorks training class by April 5, 2013. If you are accepted into the HealthWorks training class, you must accept or decline your offer by April 12, 2013.
If you have questions, stop by the office of Health Promotion and Wellness in 201 Student Health Center or call (814) 863-0461. You may also contact us by e-mail at promotinghealth@psu.edu.