Peer Wellness Educator FAQ

What is a Peer Wellness Educator?

Peer Wellness Educators are highly trained undergraduate students who work with their fellow peers at Iowa State University (ISU) to promote wellbeing and build capacity for wellbeing among student organizations.  For more information, check out our About Us page. 

Are Peer Wellness Educators paid?

YES!  Peer Wellness Educators work between 5-10 hours a week and are compensated at $12/hour.  Students work a flexible schedule and all of their work is done on campus. If students have other on-campus positions, they cannot work more than 20 hours per week between the jobs.  

Do I need to have a specific major to apply?

NO!  Our application is open to any undergraduate student from any academic background.  We encourage students from all colleges to apply.  The only requirement is for students to be interested in wellness and interested in working with other students to help them be more successful at ISU!  The skills that you will learn and use as a peer wellness educator will apply to any career or job you pursue in the future.  

What is the Peer Wellness Educator hiring process?

Student Wellness selects students every semester through an application process.  Student Wellness will be selecting students each semester to begin the following semester.  For more information about our application process and timeline, click here.

What training is required for Peer Wellness Educators once hired?

Newly selected Peer Wellness Educators must complete the following requirements before officially beginning their job

  • Successfully complete a 3 day training.
  • Complete all online trainings.

How does Peer Wellness Education fit into the vision of the Division of Student Affairs and the Mission of ISU?

Higher learning, student success, and student development are core to the vision and mission of ISU.  Wellbeing and safety are inextricably linked to student success.  A student’s ability & readiness to learn is diminished if they are not physically, emotionally, financially, socially, or spiritually well. 

Peer Wellness Educators play an important role in helping their fellow students enhance their wellbeing so they can reach their full potential at Iowa State University.  Peer Wellness Educators work to create a welcoming, safe, and inclusive living/learning environment as well as engage in strategies to provide students with wellness information, resources, and opportunities to help them be more successful.  College students often turn to and listen to their fellow peers for information, thus making the role of Peer Wellness Educators important at ISU.

What will I get out of the Peer Wellness Educator experience?

Peer Wellness Educators will receive extensive training on skills that will enhance their own personal and professional development.  Regardless of a student’s career path, the knowledge and skills they will learn as a Peer Wellness Educator will give them strong, transferable skills to enhance their own personal and professional development at ISU and beyond.  Peer Wellness Educators will receive extensive training and practical experience in the following areas: planning/implementing programs, facilitating presentations, public speaking, helping skills, problem solving skills, research skills, and collaboration/relationship building skills. 

What are the expectations of Peer Wellness Educators?

Peer Wellness Educators agree to the following expectations once hired:

  • Successful completion of the PWE Training (3 days)
  • Attend Peer Wellness Educator meetings
  • Meet a minimum 2.5 grade point average
  • Work a minimum of 5 hours per week (maximum of 10 hours per week)

In addition, Peer Wellness Educators will agree to observe these obligations of ethical behavior once hired:

  • Serve as a positive role model for healthy lifestyle choices
  • Embody the ISU Principles of Community
  • Refrain from illegal activities and illegal drug use
  • Exhibit professional behaviors both inside and outside of Peer Education activities
  • Follow all guidelines outlined in the Iowa State University Student Code of Conduct (http://www.policy.iastate.edu/policy/SDR)

How do I apply to be a Peer Wellness Educator?

Students who are interested in becoming a Peer Wellness Educator can apply here.  Peer Wellness Educator Application.  Rolling application.

Additional Questions?

If you have additional questions not addressed on this page, please contact Student Wellness for more information or stop by our office.