The NCCHW offers diverse opportunities for student engagement, emphasizing the idea that the most effective learning comes from actively assisting our communities. Students can explore various facets of health and wellness in North Carolina, establish valuable professional connections and gain insight from those currently immersed in the field. Involvement options have included participating in internships, practicum placements or culminating experiences; partnerships with service learning classes; becoming a student employee; and engaging through the Student Health Ambassador Program or Social Bridging Project.
From 2018-2023, 128 Student Health Ambassadors engaged over 7 semesters at UNCA and many more at partner campuses with NCCHW support. Seventy two students trained and participated in the Social Bridging Project, including 40 undergraduates, 4 Master of Public Health students, 15 pharmacy students and 4 medical students. NCCHW has hosted 23 students in their internships, practical and student employment programs. Four UNCA student courses have done projects in partnership with NCCHW in Research Methods, Community Health, Health Communications and First Year Seminars. Several of our staff have taught classes in UNCA’s undergraduate departments of Health and Wellness, Spanish, French, and the Master of Public Health Program.
Student Engagement
To get involved, please contact Ellen Bailey at ebailey@unca.edu or talk to a faculty member about opportunities to work with NCCHW.
Collaborative Student Health Ambassador Program
UNC Asheville’s Student Health Ambassadors play a crucial role in supporting the well-being of their peers, fostering community resilience, and expanding career pathways in health promotion and public health. Over the past three years, the program has provided education and support to enhance mental health for students, faculty, staff, and the community. With recent support from the Dogwood Health Trust, the Student Health Ambassador program aims to deepen its impact by conducting a new campus community health needs assessment survey in collaboration with other Western North Carolina Institutions of Higher Education SHA programs. Follow the links below if you are a student and are interested in learning how to be involved with the NCCHW.
SHA on Instagram
The Wellness Evaluation Lifestyle Lab (The WELL)
The UNC Asheville Health and Wellness Department houses several active laboratories that offer a variety of health and fitness assessments. In partnership with the NC Center for Health and Wellness, the WELL offers comprehensive cardiovascular and fitness assessments, performance fitness assessments, body composition tests and health coaching. All assessments are performed on campus in a professional and confidential environment by trained staff. Services are available to community members, UNCA students, faculty and staff.
Learn More About the WELL
UNC Asheville-UNC Gillings Master of Public Health (MPH)
The UNC Asheville-UNC Gillings Master of Public Health (MPH) is an MPH degree program offered jointly by both UNC Asheville and the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health on the campus of the Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC) in Asheville, NC.