Student Affairs Team Spotlight — Health Education Resource Office
Department Name: Health Education Resource Office (HERO)
Director: Heidi Garcia
Associate Director: Jenny McKee
Number of Staff: 13
Department Website: hero.ku.edu
Q. Do you have student staff? How do they support your department’s work or mission?
A. We currently employ five students. The three peer health educators work closely with the health educators to develop programs, plan outreach opportunities, and attend events. The two marketing coordinators work closely with the communications coordinators to create visual content and messaging for social media, CCTV, websites, printed materials, etc. Our students are vital as they provide the student perspective and help us engage students where they are.
Q. What does your department do?
A. HERO supports students’ personal development in enhancing healthy behaviors using a holistic approach so students can thrive personally, academically, and professionally throughout their college experience and beyond. Through collaborative efforts, we are committed to fostering a campus culture of health and well-being to support student success and build a healthier KU community.
Q. What are your department’s programs, signature events, and/or services?
A. We focus on four main topic areas – alcohol, tobacco, & other drugs; mental health & self-management; nutrition & food security; and sexual health & healthy relationships – to provide prevention-based programs, personal coaching sessions, events, presentations, and outreach. HERO also manages the Jayhawk Buddy System responsible alcohol use campaign. Each topic area has specific programs to meet the needs of students as identified through various assessment tools. Signature events that are held on a consistent basis include, Wellness Fair, Hold Your Booze, Pause 4 Pups, Stress Busting Study Breaks, and Sex in the Dark. All services provided by HERO are covered by the Wellness Fee, so all students have access to health, wellness, and prevention education.
Q. How does your department make learning possible?
A. We believe that when you feel well, you do well. Providing opportunities and information to students to understand how to be well helps them to succeed in and out of the classroom. HERO focuses on holistic health and utilizes a multifaceted approach to behavior modification. Ultimately, HERO wants students to flourish and grow to reach their full potential. And what students learn now about how to be well will continue throughout their lifetime. Healthy Hawks Thrive!
Q. What department successes or achievements are you most proud of?
A. We are most proud of the engagement with students and collaboration with campus partners. Each academic year, HERO has approximately 30,000 encounters through programs, events, presentations, outreach, social media, kits, etc. HERO strives to engage with students in a variety of ways to provide opportunities and information that will make a difference now and in the future. HERO also loves to support campus partners and appreciates all the support received. HERO knows to foster a culture of health and well-being on campus takes a team to support students’ success.