Relationship Peer Leaders

The Relationship Peer Leaders who are tasked with expanding SSAC’s primary and secondary prevention in the areas of healthy relationships, consent, boundaries, bystander intervention, and sexual and interpersonal violence by facilitating workshops and programs. R-P-Ls are certified peer educators who receive training and support in leadership and health promotion and who are a part of the work at George Mason University to eradicate sexual and interpersonal violence.

The R-P-Ls at George Mason University is now a Certified Peer Educator (CPE) Program by BACCHUS Initiatives of NASPA! The Certified Peer Educator (CPE) training helps peer educators to develop leadership skills to be able to create and implement wellness campus programs.

Mission 

The Student Support and Advocacy Center will develop trauma-informed sex-positive student leaders, the Relationship Peer Leaders, by utilizing the Social Change Model of Leadership Development with an emphasis on vulnerability, values, trust, and resiliency.  These student leaders will facilitate education on relationships, consent, and sexual & interpersonal violence prevention as partners in cultivating a healthy and safe Mason community.

Foundation & Guiding Theories

  • Social Change Model of Leadership Development
  • Transtheoretical Model/Stages of Change
  • George Mason University’s Resilience Model
  • Socio-ecological Model

Program Values

  • Activism and the centering of survivor experiences
  • Boundaries and consent in every relationship
  • Continuous learning and development
  • Respect, empowerment, and inclusion
  • Self and community care

Attributes of an AWESOME Relationship Peer Leader

  • Enthusiastic and passionate
  • Team-oriented
  • Good communicator
  • Inclusive and committed to social justice
  • Willing to put themselves out there and to try new things

Required Qualifications

  • Enrolled at George Mason University or in the NOVA Advance Program
  • Availability for a mandatory weekly meeting on Wednesday from 12pm-1 pm
  • Availability for mandatory training and weekly meetings scheduled in advanced.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Previous experience with presenting, facilitation and/or leadership development
  • General knowledge of consent, healthy relationship and/or sexual and interpersonal violence
  • Related major &/or career or personal goals

Benefits of Participation in the R-P-L

  • Honor survivors and change the culture at GMU
  • Be a part of a connected and supported group of student leaders at GMU
  • Become a certified peer educator with NASPA
  • Develop connections with industry and campus experts and faculty
  • Develop personal and professional skills around working with other people, health education, facilitating and presenting

Apply