Home > Campus Life > Counseling Center > Peer Programs

Peer Programs

Peer Programs involve student volunteers and extend Counseling Center outreach to the student body. Student volunteers are selected and trained to participate in the following peer programs:

  • Peer Counselors
  • Peer Educators
  • Women of Destiny

MSU Peer Counselors : "Sometimes the Best Ear is Your Peer"
Peer Counselors are trained, volunteer student paraprofessionals who work with the University Counseling Center to extend counseling services and mental health information to the student body. Peer counselors take a 4 credit mental health course in the fall as part of their training.

Peer counselors meet with students individually and in group discussions to talk about personal, social, and academic concerns. They assist the Counseling staff with presentations, mental health screening, and outreach about adjustment to the university. All sessions with peer counselors, as with the professional counselors, are confidential.

Typical Activities:

  • EXPRESSIONS - discussion sessions, where students can talk openly about issues of concern to them. EXPRESSIONS is held in the evenings in the residence halls. Peer Counselors are available to make presentations and lead discussions by request. RAs and representatives of campus organizations may complete an "Order In" menu specifying topic, date, time and location.
  • "Dear Peer" advice column in the Spokesman
  • Peer mediation to help two or more students involved in a conflict
  • Mental health screening days ("Test Your Mood")
  • Mental health information tables
  • Outreach to classes and organizations
  • Assisting individual students
  • ScreamFest for Stress at midterm

Got Drama? Talk with a Peer Counselor!
Peer counselors have office hours in the Counseling Center and in the residence halls to meet with students individually about personal, social, and academic concerns. All sessions with peer counselors, as with the professional counselors, are completely confidential.

You may make an appointment to talk with a peer counselor by coming to the Counseling Center, CGW room 202, or calling (443)885-3130.

Become a Peer Counselor
Are you the kind of person whom others talk with about their problems? Peer counseling is an excellent leadership development/ personal growth experience.  Applications are available in the spring for the program that begins in the summer and extends through the next academic year. Students with strong GPAs, good communication skills and an interest in helping others are encouraged to apply. Talk with a current peer counselor or the coordinator, Ms. Claudia Leight, for more information. We invite you to apply to become a peer counselor!

Applications are available in the Counseling Center or by email. (Send request to claudia.leight@morgan.edu.) Applications are due in March of each year. At the time of application, students should sign up for a personal interview.

Peer counselors are expected to enroll in the training class for peer counseling, offered in the fall. (The 4 credit course counts as a free elective.) Applicants must have a GPA of at least 2.8 (3.0 for students with 16-24 credits).

Download Peer Counseling Application

Peer Educators
The Peer Educators are student volunteers trained in the areas of HIV/AIDS as well as relationship violence. These students present information sessions in orientation classes as well as residence halls. They are also called upon to collaborate with student organizations. Throughout the academic year, they sponsor tables in the Student Union from which they distribute information and resources.

During the fall semester the Peer Educators receive specialized training on HIV/AIDS. Upon completion, they are able to present basic facts, including definitions, modes of infection, testing, and information specific to African Americans. Typically, the Peer Educators sponsor a week of activities in commemoration of World AIDS Day, December 1st of each year.
The Peer Educators receive additional training on relationship violence during the spring semester. The cycle of violence, signs of healthy relationships and resources for assistance are covered. During Sexual Assault Awareness Month (April) educational activities are sponsored which culminate in the annual Take Back the Night Rally and March.

Typical Activities

  • Homecoming
  • RAINN Day
  • AIDS Lock-In
  • World AIDS Day
  • National Black AIDS Awareness Day
  • Clothes Line Project
  • Take Back the Night

For additional information about the Peer Educators, including membership, please contact Dr. Sonya Clyburn at 443.885.3130.

Women of Destiny

Women of Destiny is a program that guides freshmen women towards the successful completion of their first year of college by:

  • Connecting each participant with a mentor who has distinguished her self as a Student Leader among her peers.
  • Engaging freshmen women, along with their mentors, in monthly rap sessions that involve guest speakers and mature panel discussions surrounding matters related specifically to women.
  • Providing each student with monthly updates on a range of freshmen related activities across campus as well as campus wide outreach activities and organizations specifically for women.
  • Providing walk in services at the University Counseling Center to students who may be struggling with adjustment related challenges.
  • Hosting an annual freshmen women's day celebration at the close of the academic year that will mark each participant's successful completion of their first year of college.

Becoming A Student Leader

As a Student Leader, you will be asked to Link Up with at least two assigned freshmen women throughout their first year of college. You will also be expected to:

•· Develop a friendly rapport with each freshman that you are volunteering to connect with.

•· Attend and encourage freshmen to participate in monthly rap sessions aimed at addressing challenges that women may encounter during their first year of college.

•· Remain aware of and provide information to your mentee about special campus events for freshmen students as well as outreach activities specific to freshmen women.

•· Assist students with identifying support services on campus (i.e. Office of Student Affairs, Campus Counseling Center, etc)

 

Click here to download an application to become a Student Leader.