The purpose of Peer Education is to encourage responsible choices and attitudes about alcohol. Our group's education and prevention efforts focus on a variety of student wellness issues with the goal of reducing high risk behaviors. We aim to correct misperceptions, increase knowledge, awareness and understanding of the impact of alcohol abuse on the SHU community. Peer Educators also offer supportive listening, provide resources and referrals, and promote a fun, healthy and safe campus environment and college lifestyle.
Our Peer Educators are selected through a comprehensive application and interview process during the spring semester. They are a diverse group of students who represent the majority of SHU students who do not drink or choose to drink responsibly. They are passionate about helping others and are generally easy people to talk to. Our Peer Eds complete a certified training course in August that includes listening and referral skills, dispute intervention, problem solving, caring within limits, ethics and role modeling, presentation and programming skills, and information about alcohol. They meet weekly throughout the year to plan programs, social events, and awareness campaigns, and continue to develop helping skills with monthly inservices.