Bobcat Peer Educator

I am a Bobcat Peer Educator for Ohio University's Office of Health Promotion, a role I have held for the past two years. During my time in the office, my responsibilities have evolved significantly. In my first year, I served on the Sexual Health and Interpersonal Violence Task Force, where I helped promote educational initiatives and resources aimed at supporting student well-being. This year, I transitioned into a communications-focused role and am now one of two team members responsible for creating and curating content for the office's social media platforms and outreach efforts.

In this position, I develop promotional and educational content that informs students about health and wellness resources, upcoming events and important campus initiatives. My work includes designing graphics, writing copy, planning campaigns and analyzing engagement data to determine what content resonates most effectively with students. Although I am an Advertising and Public Relations major, I initially felt some uncertainty stepping into a social media-focused role. Coming directly from a demanding summer internship, I was concerned about immediately entering another creative position. However, this experience challenged me to build confidence in my abilities and strengthen skills I had previously underestimated.

Beyond content creation, I have taken on several leadership opportunities within the Office of Health Promotion. I am NASPA Certified, which has provided me with specialized training in peer health education and strengthened my ability to support students through evidence-based health promotion practices. I also played a key role in planning the annual Sexual Health Resource Fair, coordinating outreach efforts and helping connect students with valuable campus and community resources. Additionally, I serve on the university's Hazing Prevention Task Force, where I collaborate with campus partners to promote safer organizational cultures and increase awareness of hazing prevention initiatives.

One of the most rewarding aspects of this position has been the opportunity to advocate for student well-being while simultaneously gaining professional communications experience. I served as an unofficial account manager, coordinating projects and strengthening relationships with existing and new campus collaborators. As university policies and campus structures continue to evolve, I have had the opportunity to support outreach efforts that ensure students remain informed about available resources and services.

This role has allowed me to grow both personally and professionally. I have developed stronger skills in social media management, content creation, strategic communication and audience engagement while gaining valuable leadership experience. More importantly, I have learned that I am far more confident and capable in digital communications than I previously believed. By combining creativity with advocacy, I have made a meaningful impact on campus while preparing for a future career in communications and journalism.