Health education is provided by the Wellness Center Health promotion and risk reduction programs are designed and implemented by professional health educators with the assistance of student peer health educators, a group known as AU’s The Naked Truth. Leadership training, as well as factual health information is provided to educate and prepare the students who want to become Wellness Advocates. Students develop skills in organization, communication and group facilitation as they become leaders in the AU community. Educational programs are presented on campus with the purpose of enhancing the wellness of each individual student. Throughout the academic year, campus-wide wellness events provide health promotion resources, which address many health topics, such as healthy lifestyles, sexual responsibility, contraception and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, sexual assault risk reduction, prevention of alcohol and other drug abuse, as well as other health topics. In addition, fun interactive educational programs are provided in the residence halls by the Wellness Advocates. All health education programming is based upon the philosophy that wellness encompasses many dimensions, including physical wellness, emotional, spiritual, social, intellectual and environmental wellness. Educating students at American University to develop positive, healthy lifestyles, which endure throughout a lifetime, is the primary goal of the WELL Center. Students who are interested in becoming Wellness Advocates may call Kathy Haldeman, the Wellness Coordinator, at 202-885-3276 or e-mail her at Haldeman@american.edu

Who are the wellness advocates?