Student Org Spotlight: Healthy Heels Ambassadors

Meet the Healthy Heels Ambassadors (hha!), a team of UNC-Chapel Hill students focused on peer health promotion and prevention strategies to support student well-being. Co-President Claire Molloy, a junior from Goldsboro, N.C., tells us about hha! and how their work helps students. 

1. What is hha! all about? 

hha! is a peer education program on campus that promotes health and wellness. Our mission is to inspire change toward better wellness for all through education. We do this by using public health principles and health promotion/prevention strategies, and we align our work with the core values of our group: self-work, leadership, friendship, communication, accountability and integrity. 

2. How do you help students?

We help students primarily through teaching workshops on various health and wellness topics. Our current workshops are Dimensions of Wellness, Healthy Relationships 101, Creating Consent Culture, and Emergent Leadership. Occasionally throughout the semester, we also have tabling events to connect with students and give out free wellness goodies! We also have hha! hours over zoom, in which folks can drop in and chat with one of our peer educators. Additionally, our ongoing projects, like our hha! newsletter and LDOC S.N.A.C.K.S, provide educational materials/messaging for the Carolina community. 

3. What do you like most about being a member of hha!?

One of my favorite aspects of being a peer educator is being involved in change and observing the relationships between individuals and our community. I love working together with other students and encouraging wellness in the individual, which will eventually manifest at the collective level. hha! is a wonderful group that has shown me the importance of genuine support and compassion. 

4. What's one wellness tip you would like to share with students?

One wellness tip that I find helpful is to schedule time in the day for self-care, whether that be going for a walk, reading a book, watching a show, or calling a friend. It is important to prioritize yourself on that long list of to-dos for school and/or work. 

5. How can students get involved with hha!?

We are currently recruiting peer educators! Students may apply here. Students can follow us on Instagram at @hha.unc, and we post all of our events, hours and how to connect with a peer educator on our Heel Life page as well. Students can email us with questions or if they just want to chat: unc.hha0@gmail.com.