Health EducationStaff

Amanda (she/her/hers) is responsible for developing the comprehensive health promotion strategy for the campus; and the research, development, implementation and evaluation of health education initiatives, trainings, programming and outreach.

Amanda has over 25 years of experience in higher education.  She has served as a Health Educator at several institutions of Higher Education specializing in comprehensive sexual health education, violence prevention and student leadership.  She started her career as a peer educator at her undergraduate institution and still believes in the power of peers to influence and educate their community.  She is particularly interested in exploring, confronting and building skills in the community to change and navigate the ways in which identity impacts the health and wellbeing of our students.  In previous positions Amanda has supervised numerous peer education programs, including an award-winning sex education theatre troupe, directed an anonymous HIV antibody testing site and trained athletic teams through the CHOICES program.  As an adjunct lecturer in the School of Public Health and Health Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amanda taught large introductory lecture classes, small seminars and oversaw independent study students.   A presenter at both regional and national conferences, and a consultant and trainer for various museums, educational institutions and private businesses Amanda believes in the power of education to transform lives. 

Amanda holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a Master of Education degree in Health Education from The Pennsylvania State University where her thesis focused on Sexual Violence Prevention Programs for Women.  Amanda is a certified Doula.   She has served on the Board of Directors for various non-profits including the New England Learning Center for Women in Transition and the Western Massachusetts Abortion Rights Fund.  She served on the Advisory Board for Planned Parenthood Springfield and as the State Coordinator for BACCHUS Area 10. Amanda is a former member of The Governor’s Commission on Sexual and Domestic Violence for the Patrick Administration and a current elected Town Meeting Member.

When Amanda isn't at work loves to be with her family and their puppy Daisy. She enjoys reading, cooking, baking, gardening and spending time outside.

Lauren (she/her/hers) joined the Amherst College community in 2019 and serves as the Sexual Respect Educator in the Department of Health Education.  In her role, she coordinates a range of campus-wide initiatives focused on violence prevention, bystander intervention, consent education, and sexual respect promotion.

Specifically, Lauren supervises the Peer Advocates for Sexual Respect; chairs the Amherst College Sexual Respect Task Force; serves on campus and community committees related to sexual respect; and provides education through training, programming, and consultation to all members of the Amherst College community.   

Lauren has a MEd from Bridgewater State University in Student Affairs Counseling, along with a BA from Providence College in Public & Community Service Studies and Women’s & Gender Studies.  Her professional background has consisted of working in both higher education and the non-profit sector, centering her work around sexual violence prevention, student leadership development, and community engagement. Lauren roots her work in empowering students to be leaders of social change and promoting equitable wellbeing so that all members of our campus community can thrive.

Hannah (she/her/hers) joined the Amherst College community in 2023 as the Program Manager for Wellbeing Initiatives. In this role, she guides the implementation of the mental and emotional health and wellbeing strategic plan developed in partnership with The Jed Foundation (JED), aligns the JED Initiative with the work of the Colllege Wellbeing Steering Committee, and provides assessment support for Residential Engagement & Wellbeing programs.