By Communications Staff

During the summer months, Queen’s Health Promotion staff work on new programs for the upcoming academic year. They always get student input but this year, they will be able to hire and pay a full-time student intern, to co-lead the development process.

Christel Call, BA’71, and her husband Ron have established a student peer health internship position for the next five years that will increase capacity and allow the Health Promotion program to grow.

“Promotion of health and wellness is a priority for Queen’s and an integral part of our mission as a university,” says Tom Harris, Vice-Principal (Advancement). “This gift through the Initiative Campaign will help grow our health promotion activities and better engage with students around both physical and mental health.”

This year's team of Queen's students volunteering as peer health educators.

Kate Humphrys, Health Promotion Coordinator, says the Call’s gift will give student interns an excellent opportunity to make a difference on campus.

“We are so grateful for this gift that will provide opportunities to students to use their enthusiasm and initiative,” says Ms. Humphrys. “This position will give students with demonstrated leadership and creativity in health promotion, an opportunity to develop and implement new ways to engage their peers in healthy living.”

Current student volunteers sent a collage of post-it note “thank yous” to the Calls to express their appreciation.

“As Peer Health Educators, we are passionate about supporting students in their pursuit towards physical and mental health and your donation will help us make a difference,” says one student.

Another student wrote: “Over my three years volunteering with Peer Health, I’ve seen the program grow, change and get stronger – and contributions like yours are a huge part of what makes that possible. Working one on one with students of all backgrounds has enriched my time here and I am so happy to know that the program will continue to grow after I’m gone!”

The new position has been posted by Health, Counselling and Disability Services on MyCareer.

The Initiative Campaign is the most ambitious fundraising campaign in the university’s history. The goal is to raise half a billion dollars to ensure Queen’s future as a destination for exceptional people. The campaign will nurture a supportive campus community, enhance the student learning experience, and secure a global reputation in discovery and inquiry