Founded by Dr. John Sherry, a psychologist at the NJCU Counseling Center, the Peers Educating Peers Program began in 1995 as a volunteer group of four.  As its reputation grew, so did its size, and fairly soon, the Peer Educators (fondly known as "The Peppers") were being asked to present not only on campus, but also at local grammar, middle and high schools, at other colleges and universities, at social service agencies, at senior citizen centers, and later, at national conferences. PEP's work has received both campus recognition (2004 Vice President for Student Affairs Award for Outstanding Leadership and Community Service) and regional recognition (2002, 2004 and 2005 BACCHUS Outstanding Peer Theater awards and the 2005 BACCHUS Outstanding Peer Advisor award).

 

The premise of the PEP program is that people are more likely to hear a message if the messenger is similar to them in lifestyle and faces similar concerns and pressures.  The more you relate to a peer, the higher the probability that you will change your attitudes and ultimately, your behavior.

 

To learn more about what becoming a Pepper can offer you, click the links below: 

 

PEP meets on Wednesdays from 3:00 - 4:30 in the Visual Arts Building, Room AB07, during the fall and spring semesters.