How Can I Get Involved at the University Health Center?
The Division of Student Affairs' mission is to enhance the learning environment for students at the University of Georgia (UGA). This is accomplished by stimulating the learning process, integrating the in-class and out-of-class experiences, promoting an environment conducive to growth and discovery, and facilitating intellectual, spiritual, social, occupational, physical, cultural, and emotional development.
Providing learning experiences for UGA students is at the heart of both the mission and the vision statements for the Health Promotion Department. Therefore in conjunction with the Communications Department, we are proud to sponsor various volunteer student groups that provide co-curricular experiences for UGA students.
Which volunteer student group is best for me?
SHAC: Student Health Advisory Committee
Advisor - Kristine Groft, Sr. Public Relations Coordinator
The primary initiatives of the organization are to provide a student voice in health center operations, promote a positive and open channel of communication between the UHC staff and the student body, and to contribute additional awareness of student issues to the health center administration.
HDAs: Healthy Dawg Ambassadors
Advisor - Jamee Smith, Communications Specialist
These are a select group of students who are chosen to officially represent the University Health Center. Ambassadors serve in multiple capacities promoting UHC's mission and vision to students, faculty/staff and other visitors.
FCSAB: The Fontaine Center Student Advisory Board
Advisors - Betria Stinson, Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention Educator & Emily Jacobs, Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor
The group works together to improve the safety and success of UGA students by advising the alcohol awareness and educational endeavors put forth by the Fontaine Center.
SHAG: Sexual Health Advocacy Group
Advisor - Katy Janousek, Sexual Health Specialist/Student Development Coordinator
The mission of the group is to raise awareness about safer sex within the UGA community through campus-wide programming, and to act as a student-comprised advisory committee for the Sexual Health Education program.
FLY: For Loving Yourself
Advisors - Deanna Walters, Prevention and Assessment Coordinator and Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention (RSVP) Advocate
The mission of this student group is to increase awareness about the issues surrounding body image, self-esteem, media influence, eating disorders, and society's definition of "beauty". Please email [email protected] if you are interested in joining, or want more information on body image. Check us out on facebook!
RSVP Peer Educators
Advisor - Michele Passonno, Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention Coordinator
RSVP Peer Educators are students who educate other students to make a difference on campus. Peer Educators are responsible, enthusiastic, dedicated student leaders that help provide workshops, facilitate discussions, and help with campus events.
Is there required training for volunteer student group members?
Each student group works with their advisor to establish training or continuing education requirements. However, every year there is a one-day Student Leadership & Development Conference which allows all student group members (and future members) to unite! For more information about the next conference, contact our Student Development Coordinator, Katy Janousek.
Are there any groups that are for-credit?
PNEs: Peer Nutrition Educators
Advisors - Ben Gray, Nutrition Education Coordinator and Katherine Ingerson, Food Services Dietitian
Students in the Food and Nutrition major (or Health Promotion and Behavior majors who have taken nutrition courses) can apply to be Peer Nutrition Educators (PNEs). They must first take the PNE class and are then eligible to become PNEs.
Peer Nutrition Educator Application -- Deadline for applications is March 28, 2014
PNE Application - Faculty Recommendation Form
Can I do a practicum/internship for credit?
The Health Promotion Department has found that the most mutually beneficial for-credit experiences must be customized for each individual student. Therefore spaces are very limited for practicum/internship opportunities each semester. Generally, site supervisors for practicums/internships are our student group staff advisors. When students are actively involved in a respective volunteer student group and their advisors get to know them, a practicum/internship proposal can be developed. In other cases, students are referred to Health Promotion staff members by the students' home-department.
If you are interested in a practicum opportunity within the Communications Department, please contact Liz Rachun.
Can I volunteer in the Health Promotion office?
For assistance with administrative-type duties, the Health Promotion Department offers two federal work-study positions in the Fall and Spring semesters. If you are eligible for the work-study program and would like to apply for a position, please visit the Office of Student Financial Aid Federal Work-Study website.
We do not offer volunteer positions within the Health Promotion office.
For additional support with ways to get involved with the Health Promotion Department, please contact our Student Development Coordinator, Katy Janousek.
Thank you for your interest in getting involved with the Health Promotion Department!
