The Office of Health Promotion Students

The Office of Health Promotion (OHP) was established in 2014. It is an extension of the Public Health Education Program in the School of Health Promotion and Human Performance, and is led by Dr. Jeff Schulz. OHP’s mission is to provide opportunities for students and faculty to enhance the health and wellbeing of the EMU community and the surrounding area, through collaborative, interdisciplinary programming and research. Their partners include EMU’s Beta Delta chapter of Eta Sigma Gamma, the Office of Wellness and Community Responsibility, Active Minds, an EMU organization towards reducing mental health stigma on college campuses, and Cultivate Coffee & Tap House in Ypsilanti.

OHP volunteering at a Valentine's Day Event

The day-to-day operations of OHP are run by two graduate students enrolled in the Health Education graduate program. This year’s GAs are Sarah Lane and Amy Lewis. In addition, Bryan Whitaker, a graduate student in Health Education is completing his internship as a liaison between OHP and the Office of Wellness and Community Responsibility. According to Jeff Schulz, “OHP allows our students to really immerse themselves in their chosen field. They learn quickly that collaboration and planning are critical to carrying out successful programming. We really feel students involved with OHP will be better prepared for their career.” Amy Lewis concurs. “Planning, co-planning, and facilitating events has really given us some very beneficial experiences and allowed us to work with a diverse population of students and organizations.”

This year alone, OHP has sponsored or partnered on more than a dozen programs and events on campus and in the Ypsilanti community. Examples of these include SHAPES (Series of Health Awareness Programs for Eastern Students), a Valentine’s Day event focused on self-care and an upcoming event focused on the importance of sleep. Nick Pomonte, EMU’s Student Wellness Coordinator, believes that the Office of Health Promotion’s partnership with the Office of Wellness and Community Responsibility has really grown in several ways. “We have been able to implement campus health and wellness surveys and cross-promotion of health and wellness messaging for students. We are starting to explore grant-writing opportunities as well.”

The OHP Jeopardy Game Information Flyer

As part of the SHAPES program, a Jeopardy Game for EMU students is planned for March 15 at 3 p.m. in the Student Center. OHP will once again collaborate with partners across campus to provide health and wellness programming for EMU students! Click the flyer for more information about the planned Jeopardy Game.