UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Stand for State, Penn State’s bystander intervention initiative, is accepting applications from students interested in becoming peer educators. Applications will be open through April 5.
Stand for State is a program that focuses on empowering students to step in when it counts. Peer educators will provide programming and education about two topics: interrupting acts of bias and interrupting sexual/relationship violence. They have the opportunity to educate other students about both responding to red flags and making proactive choices to work toward creating a safer and more inclusive campus for fall. The Stand for State program is offered through the Center for Character, Conscience, and Public Purpose, which is a unit of Penn State Student Affairs.
Requirements to become a peer educator include being a full-time undergraduate or graduate student, attending weekly meetings and a mandatory weekend training session, participating in Stand for State Action week events, devoting an average of three hours per week to the program, and upholding high standards in personal behavior. Students at Commonwealth Campuses that change assignment to University Park for the 2019-20 academic year are encouraged to apply.
Students will find general questions on the application, including why they are interested in the program, their skills and abilities, and how they have contributed to the Penn State community. After students submit their applications, a round of in-person interviews will take place April 9-12.
Peer educators will collaborate with other student groups in hosting events and helping to plan Stand for State events. They will participate in tabling and teaching others how to create change within their groups. Students will be trained to provide 60- to 90-minute programs to student groups.
If interested, students can email standforstate@psu.edu with any questions.