HealthWorks

The mission of HealthWorks is to:

• Increase awareness and knowledge of health topics, such as sexual health, healthy relationships, nutrition, physical activity, body image, and eating disorders, stress management, and overall well-being
• Empower students to engage in healthy behaviors
• Provide health education programs, information, and materials to students
• Provide one-on-one wellness services

• Gain up-to-date knowledge needed to address various health issues
• Develop public speaking and leadership skills
• Improve interpersonal and communication skills
• Become a valuable health resource for your friends and peers
• Advocate to improve health-related programs and services at Penn State
• Make a difference in the health of Penn State students
• Build friendships and your professional network
• Work closely with health promotion staff
• Enhance your resume
• Earn academic credit

Training consists of a mandatory three-credit class 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. There will be two separate training classes for each group of peer educators. The classes will be offered through the Department of Biobehavioral Health during the fall semester. No prerequisite is required.

After completing the three-credit training class, students will earn one credit per semester through the biobehavioral health department.

Student volunteers must commit to at least three semesters with the HealthWorks program (one semester of training and two semesters of service--these do not need to be consecutive).

The two semesters of service involve completing 45 hours per semester. To fulfill this requirement, students are enrolled in BBH 426 and are required to attend a one-hour weekly class.  Students participate in at least three hours of activities per week.

The peer educators who conduct one-on-one wellness services provide sessions on the following topics:

• Stress management
• Physical activity
• Nutrition/ Healthy eating
• Sleep
• Healthy relationships and sexual health

Some examples of activities and responsibilities for outreach and workshop volunteers are:

• Presenting educational workshops (Mission: Nutrition, Safer Sex Party, Stress Less, Got Sleep?)
• Staffing outreach tables and events (e.g., Eating Disorders Awareness Week, Sun Protection and Skin Health, Health Equity, and Access to Protection)
• Planning and implementing health promotion initiatives (for example, Healthy Eating with HealthWorks cooking videos)
• Facilitating wellness activities (well-being Wednesday, Less Media, More Social, etc.)

Leadership opportunities will help you develop additional skills after you have completed the semester of training. Examples include:

• Become a team leader to help manage health promotion initiatives
• Coordinate health programming
• Collaborate with other groups on health promotion efforts

You must be enrolled through fall 2024 or later to be eligible for HealthWorks. Students who plan to graduate prior to December 2024 are not eligible. 

1. Complete the online application by Monday, March 13, 2023.
   You will be required to provide the name, e-mail address, and telephone number of a current/former employer, advisor, or instructor who will complete a recommendation form on your behalf. We will email the individual a form, which they must complete by March 17, 2023.
2. Submit one copy of your unofficial (advising) transcript by March 17, 2023.
   1. Drop it off in 001P or 20 Intramural Building or
   2. Scan and email a copy to promotinghealth@psu.edu or
   3. Mail it to Health Promotion and Wellness, 20 Intramural Building, University Park, PA 16802

Instructions for Viewing & Printing Your Unofficial Transcript in LionPath:

• Log into LionPath
  • From the other academic drop-down menu, select Transcript: View Unofficial.
  • Click the double arrow (GO) The View Unofficial Transcript page is displayed.
  • Select Advising Transcript from the Report Type drop-down menu.
  • Click the view report Note: Do not click on any other buttons or links while processing is taking place. You will see a spinning wheel in the upper right corner of the screen, under the Sign-out link, that will indicate your request is processing.
  • A pdf of your unofficial transcript is displayed in a new window. Use the print option to print your unofficial transcript.
• Request a copy from the Penn State Registrar in 112 Shields Building.

Applicants will be notified of their status by March 24, 2023. Interviews will take place April 3 - April 7, 2023

Interviewees will be notified of their status by April 14, 2023. If you are accepted into the HealthWorks training class, you must accept or decline your offer by April 21, 2023.