Training the Leaders of Tomorrow

Through a collaboration between four services offered by the Office of Student Affairs, a new course next semester will be available to students interested in receiving proper training for educating and mentoring their peers.

According Edward Brodka, assistant director of the Leadership Development Center, UBE 499 - Introduction to Peer Education - is a two-credit course dedicated to training students in communication and teambuilding skills, as well as program preparation and delivery.

Brodka and Justine Barry, a wellness education specialist, said Introduction to Peer Education was developed out of a desire to integrate the resources of Wellness Education Services, the Leadership Development Center, Career Services and Multicultural Affairs, all of which currently offer separate peer education programs.

Instructors from each of the four service categories will teach the course.

"We realized there was a good opportunity for us to collaborate and teach this class together so there wasn't so much overlap where we were each teaching the basic skills," Barry said. "Now we can get together, have one group of students and train them all in the basic skills that they need to go into one of our four peer education programs."

Michael Carney, a senior legal studies major, completed an earlier version of peer education training through Wellness Education Services, and now organizes and presents different wellness programs on campus.

Carney said the creation of the new course would benefit students because, unlike previous training programs that provided instruction in only one of the four specific areas, this class will introduce students to every area.

"I think it's better because it actually gives you a choice at the end," Carney said. "You learn peer education skills, then decide where you want to branch off."

Upon completing the course, Brodka said students could pursue internships in any one of the four offices.

"This would almost be like a prerequisite to then going into those opportunities," Brodka said.

According to Barry, the course can be useful even to students who do not wish to continue in peer education, by providing them with a resume building opportunity, job skills, and qualifications for roles such as a resident assistant, orientation aid, or leader of a campus club or organization.

"(Students) don't have to have the intention of going into a peer education program, but part of it is encouraging them to do something active while they're on campus," Barry said.

Currently, UBE 499 is classified as an independent study course for Spring 2003, but Brodka and Barry said this would become an elective course in the fall.

Barry and Brodka said that while there are no prerequisites to take the course, it is designed specifically for those students who want to further their leadership and facilitate abilities that can be put into action during their time at UB or later in their careers.

"We're looking for students who are serious and are doing this to enhance their own personal and professional growth while they're here," Barry said. "This course covers everything from communication skills to how to promote, facilitate and deliver a program to a group of individuals."

She said Introduction to Peer Education will also educate students on diversity and tolerance, student mentoring, public speaking skills and proper techniques for referring students in need of counseling or other help on campus.

According to Barry, it is important to have these peer educators, because students are often more comfortable working with other students than professionals. Interacting with a peer educator can help boost a student's confidence.

"I think (students who come to peer educators) feel respected, and they feel non-judged by having another peer being able to assist them," said Barry.

Brodka noted how necessary it is to train students through programs such as the Introduction to Peer Education class.

"We literally couldn't function without a student group that goes out and delivers the programs that we just don't have the staff to do," Brodka said. "We need them to be an extension of our offices."