Peer Health Advocates (PHAs) are committed to supporting their fellow students and empowering them to make healthy choices while thinking critically about the Facets of Wellbeing. They do this by connecting their peers to campus resources, creating a safe space for open dialogue, and offering peer education on a variety of important health and wellbeing topics.
The application period for the 2025-2026 academic year is now open, please apply by Monday, April 21st by 5pm via:
- Handshake for College Students
- Grad Gargoyle for Graduate/Professional Students
Please contact Brailyn Davis (brailyn@uchicago.edu) if you have any questions.
2024-2025 Peer Health Advocates
Caleb Woodlon
Peer Health Advocate
Pronouns: he/him/his
Major: Psychology and minoring in Health and Society on the Pre-Med track
Why I chose to be a PHA: I became a Peer Health Advocate with student wellness because I am very passionate about mental health, especially the social and systemic aspect of it, and I think that many students here benefit from Student Wellness as a way to alleviate the immense psychological loads they take on. I am excited to plan Stress Relief Day!
Fun Fact: I can juggle!
Elena Balan
Peer Health Advocate
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Major: Second year who is currently planning on majoring in Business Economics as well as Russian and Eastern European Studies.
Areas of interest: Mental and emotional well-being, stress relief, physical and sexual health, and financial education.
What I'm most excited for this year as a PHA: For the upcoming year, I am really excited about the Pet Love and Sexual Health event series.
Fun Fact: I went to high school in Armenia for two year and I have travelled to more than 40 countries!
Katie Fraser
Peer Health Advocate
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Major: Fourth year in the College, Public Policy and Sociology
Why I chose to be a PHA: I chose to work at Student Wellness because I'm incredibly passionate about education, and I believe holistic wellness should be practiced at every educational level!
Fun Fact: My favorite Hyde Park restaurant is Kikuya!
Natalia Serrano-Chavez
Peer Health Advocate
Pronouns: she/her/ella
Major: Fourth Year in the College, Comparative Human Development & Creative Writing
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Areas of interest: mental health advocacy, de-stigmatization of mental health, bilingual health care access, healing through writing, and pro-bono therapy advocacy.
Why I chose to be a PHA: I chose to work at student wellness to help students engage with the wellness resources provided on campus. I am passionate about providing community centered care both now and in the future through bilingual mental health work in marginalized communities. I’m looking forward to making more stickers at our tabling events and to seeing new faces.
Fun Fact: I have a sticker collection and ate kangaroo meat over the summer.
The application period for the 2025-2026 acacemic year is now open, please apply by Monday, April 21st by 5pm via:
- Handshake for College Students
- Grad Gargoyle for Graduate/Professional Students
Please contact Brailyn Davis (brailyn@uchicago.edu) if you have any questions.