SWARMing for a Solution: Integrating Service Learning and Peer Education into the Health Education Curriculum

Overview & Synopsis

Johnson C. Smith University, one of the nation's oldest historically Black colleges and universities, has a peer education program known as Students with a Realistic Mission (SWARM). SWARM's primary focus is on HIV/AIDS, other sexually transmitted disease prevention, alcohol education, and other drug awareness. During the spring 2000 semester, we integrated service learning and peer education into two health education courses titled Healthful Living and Drugs. Students enrolled in the classes serve as peer educators for the semester. We piloted the service learning component during the spring and fall 2000 semesters. The component has been evaluated and revised several times, but remains an integral part of the two courses. This article describes and reviews program development, successes and obstacles, and provides a summary of our findings. (Contains 1 figure.)