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Meet the Student Health Ambassadors

By UNC Asheville

August 27^th, 2020

UNC Asheville has 45 students who are paid Student Health Ambassadors, working in teams to provide peer-to-peer support for a campus culture of healthy behavior that will mitigate viral spread. The Student Health Ambassador initiative is funded by a grant from the N.C. Policy Collaboratory at UNC-Chapel Hill to help fight COVID-19.

The Student Health Ambassadors (SHA) are predominantly female, but otherwise a diverse group, with many different majors represented. About 30% of the ambassadors are people of color which is important especially because communities of color have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.

Why have students become Student Health Ambassadors? Here are some ‘snapshots.’

Nola Ghislain, sophomore from Davidson, N.C.

Why did you choose to be part of the SHA Mental, Emotional and Sexual Health Team?

“I know that right now during the pandemic, a lot of people have lost their jobs and they might be feeling the pressure of how much their lives have changed. That could lead to anxiety and depression, and nervous feelings about their own personal safety and their family members. I want to help ease some of the tension and worries.

I was in a group called PEPAH Crew last year and we focused on mental and sexual health. This being a college campus, people feel the regular pressures of assignments, exams and the need to practice safe sex.”

Ambition/plan:

“I’d like to be a health and wellness major; I want to be a nurse.”

Miracle Okoro, first-year student from Charlotte, N.C.

What drew you to the Physical and Fitness Assessment team?

“I’m in the Army Reserve so I have to keep my exercise routine up – I have a commitment to the Reserve of one weekend each month and two weeks a year, but I can get called up whenever.

Maintaining healthy exercise habits can be a challenge because of the pandemic. I hear stories of the “quarantine 15” due to neglecting physical health and eating whatever. And exercising with a mask on… I can see why people have trouble keeping up with their physical health more than before the pandemic.

There may not be access to the workout equipment for strength training, but it is always possible to do exercise outside, and it’s safer too.”

Expected major:

“Mass communication.”

Lauren Ball, sophomore from Asheville

What will your work be like as part of the Bulldogs Outreach team (originally envisioned as the Civic Engagement and Policy Team)?

“We’re going to try to figure out what students want, listen to their stories, questions and concerns – not just what’s going wrong for them, but what’s going right with them – and figure out how to include what they need in how UNCA is operating.

I really love being in higher education, and am changing my career plans. Before I even enrolled here, I reached out to Jordan [Healthy Campus Liaison Jordan Perry] – that was prior to this job being posted and I said ‘hey, I just want to be involved, I want to help,’ because I see this pandemic as an opportunity for change to be progressive, to think outside the box, and really get things done.”

Expected major:

“Right now I am a physics major and health and wellness promotion minor, and I am sticking on that path. I really love physics and that’s where I have the most credits, and I’ll be looking into grad school – my resume is very diverse.”

Elena Keller, senior from Cary, N.C.

You are on the Bulldogs Outreach team – what were your thoughts in getting involved?

“I interned at MAHEC this summer with their COVID regional response team, so I’ve been involved in COVID work for a few months now, and I had interned with Jordan Perry. She told me about the position and I thought it would be a good fit.

The civic engagement aspect is really important especially as we head toward an election. I think it’s really important with everything that’s going on that we’re spreading the correct information, that we get students to the polls or bring a polling place here. So we’ll be trying to get the civic engagement piece up and maybe look at COVID-related policies on campus and work to change any that need changing.

It is unfortunate that COVID safety is politicized. It’s quite simple to keep other people in mind and practice the 3Ws. I find it somewhat selfish if people can’t adhere to the guidelines. This isn’t about one person – this impacts everybody.

Whether we are able to stay open or we have to shut down, I just hope we always put safety first."

Expected major:

“Health and Wellness with a minor in German.”

For more information about UNC Asheville's Student Health Ambassador initiative, please visit the coronavirus information website.

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