Assessing Learning Outcomes for Peer Educators: Insights from National Trend Data

College and university administrators have long recognized the critical role peer educators play in campus prevention efforts. Peer educators not only support the development and learning of their peers but also gain significant personal and professional growth through their roles. Since 2005, the National Peer Educator Study (NPES) has assessed the learning outcomes, motivations, training, and demographics of peer educators. As part of the NPES, an annual survey is sent to peer educators assessing their experiences, behaviors, growth, and development. Advisors of peer education programs benefit from information, feedback, and trends from the survey regarding how peer educators are interacting and growing in their roles.

This session presents trend data from the NPES to explore:

• Learning outcomes peer educators attribute to their experiences
• Training, program delivery, and informal peer interactions
• Student motivations for becoming peer educators
• Demographic characteristics of peer educators

Advisors and program managers will gain actionable insights to intentionally design structured learning outcomes, assess student learning, and provide data-driven evidence of the peer educator role’s impact. Demonstrating peer educator learning can strengthen the case for sustaining and expanding peer education programs and enhance recruitment of high-quality student leaders.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe key trends from the National Peer Educator Survey related to peer educator learning, training, and motivations.
• Analyze how peer educators’ experiences contribute to their personal and professional development.
• Identify strategies for assessing peer educator learning outcomes within campus prevention and education programs.
• Apply survey findings to enhance the design and delivery of peer education programs.
• Develop a rationale for expanding peer education initiatives using data-driven evidence of peer educator impact.