Realized Benefits for First-Year Student Peer Educators

This study investigated student-learning outcomes of college peer educators whose primary responsibility or interest was to address health and safety topics on campus, such as alcohol and illicit drug use, tobacco issues, sexual health and safety issues, nutrition, and violence prevention. Participants included 69 first-year college students who completed the National Peer Educator Study after their first eight weeks as peer educators. Paired sample t-tests revealed significant and practical gains in higher-order thinking skills, intrapersonal and interpersonal development, appreciation and awareness of diversity, and presentation and communication skills. Implications for practice are discussed.