ASHLAND, Ohio — Sarah Watson, a passionate mental health advocate and student at Ashland University (AU), was awarded the prestigious Outstanding Peer Educator Award at the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) Peer Education Conference in Boston on January 18. Watson was selected as the winner from four finalists, recognized for her exceptional contributions to peer education and her leadership in promoting mental health awareness on campus.
“Sarah is absolutely phenomenal and richly deserving of this special honor,” said Janel Molnar, director of recreation and wellness at AU. “She has truly turned a tragic personal experience into a mission to ensure that everyone in the AU community knows they are valued and has access to the help they need.”
Watson’s work in mental health advocacy began soon after she joined AU in the fall of 2022. A member of the Eagles women’s soccer team, she courageously shared the story of her father’s suicide, emphasizing the importance of mental health. Her message, “It’s OK to not be OK,” resonated deeply with her teammates, coaches, and other student-athletes, earning her the Perseverance & Courage Award from the athletic department.
Her impact didn’t stop there. Driven to make a broader difference, Watson expanded her mental health initiatives across the AU campus. As a sophomore, she took on the role of Wellness Intern and founded the Student Wellness Team, a group of 16 peer educators focused on promoting wellness across the university.
Today, Watson serves as president of the Student Wellness Team, where she oversees wellness education efforts, collaborates on the development of student wellness programs, and organizes awareness campaigns for the university. She is also an active member of Eagle Well and the Mental Health Task Force, university-wide committees aimed at improving student well-being.
Molnar praised Watson’s leadership, noting that under her direction, 64% of AU’s campus has been involved in wellness programs during their college experience.
Beyond her work on campus, Watson also facilitates QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) suicide prevention sessions for students, faculty, and staff. She has served as a keynote speaker for the Suicide Prevention & Awareness Walk, organized by the Mental Health and Recovery Board of Ashland County. In Fall 2024, Watson spoke at the dedication of AU’s new suicide awareness bench, a donation from Josh’s Benches for Awareness. She also selected the inscription for the bench: “Stay another day, keep going”, a phrase that has since been adopted by the AU campus.
Upon receiving the Outstanding Peer Educator Award, Watson shared her gratitude and reflections: “Wellness has always been a huge passion of mine… I wanted to start by thanking God because this is His plan for my life. My father died by suicide when I was 10 years old, but it led me to serving my community and making a difference out of tragedy. I strongly believe God didn’t put me through something like that if it wasn’t to help others.”
She continued, “Here I am today as the peer educator, wellness intern, and wellness team president of Ashland University, making every day hopefully just a little bit better for everyone. Ashland has given me a second home, and I’m thankful that I’m part of a university that allows me to lead student wellness and have the opportunities that I do.”
NASPA, the leading professional organization for student affairs in higher education, recognizes outstanding individuals who are transforming the educational landscape through innovative programs and effective administration. Each year, NASPA honors members who have made exceptional contributions to student affairs, and Watson’s work is a testament to the power of peer education and mental health advocacy.
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