Prevention Services
USF H.E.A.T.
H.E.A.T. is an acronym that stands for Health Education Action Team. USF H.E.A.T. peer educators are dedicated to increasing awareness and educating fellow USF students on health and wellness issues. We have teams at USF Tampa and USF St. Petersburg. Check us out on BullsConnect!
Click here for USF Tampa H.E.A.T.
By becoming a part of the H.E.A.T., you will:
- Learn important foundational leadership skills, like public speaking, group facilitation, team work, program development, and more;
- Gain experience working with and educating a diverse student body on a variety of important college health issues;
- Cultivate your own personal development and self-awareness.
Either as a Member or Leader, you:
- Are a Student Leader on campus.
- Meet other students who are also interested in health and wellness issues.
- Serve as a trusted resource for peers.
- Get opportunities for continuing education and further leadership training.
- Attend all meetings and events deemed mandatory by officers and/or advisor.
- Complete AlcoholEdu and Safe Zone Ally Training.
As a Member, you:
- Become familiar with major campus-wide event planning and help set-up and take-down events.
- Understand Wellness Center services and resources.
- Meet other students through workshops, presentations, and events.
- Learn what it takes to be a strong USF St. Petersburg student leader.
As a Leader, you:
- Learn about different college health issues.
- Become comfortable discussing sensitive topics with peers.
- Facilitate programs.
- Create original programming.
- Plan small- and large-scale events.
- Improve public speaking skills.
- Learn how to effectively communicate.
- Build your resume with a host of leadership skills.
- Increase your credibility.
- Raise awareness on campus.
- Complete all training requirements, including all expectations outlined in the H.E.A.T. Manual. All H.E.A.T. Leaders will need to meet proficiency standards as outlined in the H.E.A.T. Manual before engaging in educational activities.
- Organize, implement, and evaluate at least one original event per semester, in collaboration with another leader.
- Present/participate in a minimum of 3 events per semester.
Mission: USF H.E.A.T. is a diverse student run leadership organization committed to creating a healthy USF St. Petersburg campus culture by raising awareness, providing engaging education and encouraging personal growth in and outside of the classroom.
Vision: USF H.E.A.T. hopes to create a healthy campus culture in which students feel comfortable and empowered in making decisions that contribute to their physical and mental well being. Knowing that we cannot achieve perfection, we continually educate ourselves on healthy practices and lifestyle choices in order to be effective role-models both on and off campus.
As a BACCHUS Nationally Certified Peer Educator (CPE), you will assist the Wellness Center in providing workshops and trainings to students, staff, and faculty on how to make healthy and safe decisions that are common across college campuses. Topics may include: alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs; sexual health; sexual violence; mental health; nutrition; and other health topics relevant to college students.
How can I join the USF H.E.A.T.?
Applications for the 2023-24 academic year are due September 22, 2023!
To apply to join, please complete the USF H.E.A.T. application. For more information, email the Assistant Director, Prevention Services or call (727) 873-4422.
USF H.E.A.T. Training
USF H.E.A.T. peer educators will be required to participate in a comprehensive training that includes foundational leadership training developed by the BACCHUS Network as well as general health content training on a variety of college health issues. Students who successfully complete the trainings will become Certified Peer Educators (CPE), an indication that they have been trained in skills that make them a better leader, educator, role model, activist and friend.
Training takes place the week before fall semester and includes 2 days of BACCHUS CPE training and 3 days of intensive health content training.
USF H.E.A.T. receives continuing education throughout the year in order to keep them up to date with referral skills, how to help victims of assault, how to help fellow students with mental health concerns, and more!
BACCHUS (A NASPA Initiative)
The BACCHUS Network is a university and community based network focusing on health and safety initiatives. BACCHUS is a non-profit organization which actively promotes student based, campus and community leadership and programming on healthy lifestyle decisions. Their training consists of the following topics:
- Strategies for change
- Listening Skills
- Responding & Referral Skills
- Intervention Skills
- Developing inclusive peer education efforts
- Programming & presentation skills
- Self-Care
- Group development and success