Peer Education

Grounded in empathy and empowerment, SHAW peer educators strive to reduce stigma, foster body autonomy and promote a campus culture rooted in care and connection. 

Peer Education Groups 

Regardless of topic area, SHAW peer educators complete similar roles on campus such as facilitate workshops and tabling events, create educational materials and serve as trusted messengers for their peers.  

Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs (ATOD) Peer Educators

The ATOD peer educators challenge myths and explore norms about substance use on the Towson University campus. Peer Educators are passionate about educating their peers on safe substance use, including harm reduction tips and strategies. They are also advocates in the fight to reduce stigma towards addiction and recovery. 

Healthy and Diverse Minds (HDM) Peer Educators

The HDM peer educators are student leaders that work within the Towson University Counseling Center to provide education about available mental health resources and raise awareness about how the intersection of social and cultural identities can influence mental health.

Our peer educators seek to create a brave space for honest conversation around heavily stigmatized topics such as suicide prevention and mental illness. Most of all, they seek to provide students with the tools and language needed to better understand their mental health and begin destigmatizing mental health in their communities. HDM peer educators work to empower all members of campus, regardless of their identities and to have honest and courageous conversations with one another about mental health and the stigma that surrounds asking for help. 

NeuroDiverse (ND) Peer Educators

The ND peer educators are a group of passionate student leaders who work together to provide education and raise awareness of neurodiversity, promote inclusivity, empower neurodivergent students to build community and build an affirming culture on campus. This group is open to everyone.

Relationships, Consent & Sexuality Peer Education

The Student Peer Advocates for Relationships, Consent and Sexuality (SPARCS) is a peer education group that empowers Towson students to make informed, healthy, and respectful choices about sex and relationships. SPARCS peer educators promote safer sex practices, consent, and sexual violence prevention through inclusive, medically accurate, and judgment-free education. By facilitating workshops, campus events, and conversations, they help foster a community where safety, communication, and care are central to every interaction 

Peer Education Program Goals 

Expand Student Knowledge and Shift Campus Norms

Through tabling, events and workshops, peer educators help shift Towson’s campus culture toward one that is more informed, inclusive and prevention focused. 

Cultivate Leadership, Connection and Credibility

Peer educators serve as trusted messengers as students who not only share health information but model inclusive, respectful behavior in their daily lives. Through visible engagement on campus, collaboration with student orgs and departments and meaningful interactions with peers, they help create safer, more connected environments. The program fosters leadership by encouraging students to co-lead presentations, initiate ideas for events, and represent the program with professionalism and authenticity.

Center Reflection, Equity and Growth

SHAW peer educators are asked to reflect critically on their own identities, values and biases. By engaging in this work, peer educators must be open to feedback, discomfort and personal growth. Staff provide structure and mentorship so students can strengthen their communication and advocacy skills while practicing empathy, cultural humility and emotional resilience. This ongoing self-reflection is critical to promoting health equity and social justice in health education.