Participation in the Student Health Ambassadors at Cal State LA (SHAC) and the public health internship program at the Student Health Center (SHC) equips students with leadership skills and practical experience, fostering proactive leaders. These programs connect students to the campus community, allowing them to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world challenges and initiate impactful community projects. By contributing to health initiatives, students become advocates for positive change, benefiting the community and society.
SHAC and the public health internship span the academic year, with peer health educators and interns collaborating with professional staff to improve student health. In the 2023-2024 program year, 31 students participated in SHAC, and six completed internships at the Health Promotion and Education Center (HPEC). Both programs are signature initiatives of the health center’s HPEC department.
24 students participated.
Participation in SHAC and the public health internship fosters a sense of belonging and equips students with skills to positively impact their communities. The HPEC internship offers valuable professional experiences, emphasizing the importance of peer bonds. Together, these elements prepare students for effective community engagement.
- Confidence in Educating, Advocating, and Empowering: Students trained in SHAC’s peer health educator program will report increased self-assessed confidence in their ability to educate, advocate, and empower others.
- Sense of Belonging: Students participating in SHAC will report an increased sense of belonging to the campus community.
- Leadership Confidence: Students trained in SHAC’s peer health educator program will report an increased level of confidence in their leadership abilities.
The SHAC program at Cal State LA enhances students' academic success and sense of belonging. In 2023-2024, all 24 surveyed students reported positive impacts from SHAC's professional development opportunities.
87.5% gained skills in public speaking, time management, networking, and health advocacy, preparing them for leadership roles. SHAC members also felt confident in promoting health advocacy and empowering peers.
These programs support the Student Health Center's mission and align with the university's priorities of Student Success and fostering a Welcoming and Inclusive Environment.
The SHAC and public health internship programs at Cal State LA have significantly enhanced students' academic and personal development, as shown in the 2023-2024 survey. All participants reported positive impacts on their academic success and sense of belonging.
To build on this success, the programs will expand professional development opportunities, increase community engagement events, and grow participation to pre-pandemic levels. Regular evaluations will ensure continuous improvement.
These steps aim to further empower students to make impactful contributions to the campus community and beyond.