Senior Peer Wellness Educators
Abby Nelson
Major: Art, Photography Concentration
Hometown: Georgetown, KY
Hi! I'm Abby and I'll be a senior graduating in 2024. I'm studying all things photography and digital media and I love it!
Why did you become a Peer Wellness Educator?
I'm super passionate about all things mental health, as it's been a personal struggle for me. When I found out about the position, I immediately applied and I'm so glad I got it. When I'm working, it doesn't feel like work. I love being able to help plan and implement tables and events promoting wellness and helping the Bellarmine community.
Favorite Wellness Topic: Mental/emotional health
Future Goals and Aspirations: Wonderful question. A job I like haha (take some pics, advocate for mental health, who knows?)
Fun Fact: I have a tattoo of ducks on my arm! They're referenced from a picture I took while studying abroad in London.
Haley Thayer
Major: Environmental Science B.S. with a Minor in Biology
Hometown: Madison, IN
Hey friends! I'm Haley and this will be my 4th year being a peer wellness educator! I'm so excited for what's to come and all the fun things we have planned for ya’ll! My favorite wellness topics would have to be self-care & mental health, but I love them all. I'm involved in a lot of clubs and other organizations, but my favorites would probably be the farm team, the zoo, and Raptor Rehab of Kentucky. I also love plants, traveling, anything my grandma cooks, and art.
Why did you become a Peer Wellness Educator?
I really enjoy making great connections with my peers about wellness topics. I enjoy helping people live their best lives physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, etc.
Favorite Wellness Topic: All of them!
Future Goals and Aspirations: I want to be an environmental scientist/researcher with a focus on endangered species to help save our planet's biodiversity/wildlife
Fun Fact: I work at a Birds of Prey (Raptor) Rehabilitation center and get to take care and educate people about hawks, owls, vultures, kestrels, eagles, etc.
Taylor Cops
Major: Psychology & Neuroscience
Hometown: Beavercreek, OH
Hi! My name is Taylor and I'm currently a senior at Bellarmine. I'm double majoring in neuroscience and psychology and I'm hoping to attend graduate school and become a neuropsychologist in the future. In my free time I love spending time with my friends and finding ways to be active on campus. This will also be my second year as a Peer Wellness Educator and I'm so excited to be back!
Why did you become a Peer Wellness Educator?
I've always been passionate about mental health & wellness so I chose to become a Peer Wellness Educator to help other students on campus find ways to manage their mental health so they can fully enjoy their time at Bellarmine!
Favorite Wellness Topic: Mental health & stress management/relief
Future Goals and Aspirations: Going to grad school and hopefully pursuing a career in clinical neuropsychology
Fun Fact: I have 3 German Shepherd dogs at home
Grace Mack
Major: Clinical Psychology and Sociology
Hometown: Batesville, Indiana
Hi! My name is Grace Mack, and I am a senior Clinical Psychology and Sociology double major at Bellarmine University. I run cross country and track for Bellarmine and serve as the Vice President of Recreation, Intramurals, and Athletics on Student Government. I also serve as the President of Active Minds and a Peer Wellness Educator. I love dancing (specifically Taylor Swift) as well as traveling, camping, and horseback riding.
Why did you become a Peer Wellness Educator?
I became a Peer Wellness Educator because I love meeting and interacting with new people, and I am passionate about aiding my peers in their pursuit of physical and mental health. Being a peer wellness educator allows me to connect with the people around me on a deeper level, which I very much appreciate and value.
Favorite Wellness Topic: Anything mental health related, the impact of exercise and sport on physical and mental wellbeing, and sleep
Future Goals and Aspirations: Following undergrad, I plan to attend graduate school to earn my doctorate and become a child psychologist with a specialization in trauma.
Fun Fact: I can write in backwards cursive.
Kate Weafer
Major: Neuroscience
Hometown: Owensboro, KY
My name is Kate Weafer, and I am a senior. I am majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Biochemistry. This will be my first year in this position, and I am super excited!
Why did you become a Peer Wellness Educator?
I wanted to become a Peer Wellness Educator to advocate for good mental health practices. Further, I want to help educate the student body about the various resources available, while also being able to provide a support system.
Favorite Wellness Topic: Stress Management
Future Goals and Aspirations: I plan to pursue a career in the medical field, specifically serving under-resourced communities.
Fun Fact: I think orange juice is better than apple juice.
Junior Peer Wellness Educators
Olivia Camara
Major: Medical Laboratory Science
Hometown: Indianapolis, Indiana
Hi guys! My name is Olivia Camara. I am a Junior Medical Laboratory Science major with a minor in Public Health. This will be my third year working as a Peer Wellness Educator!
Why did you become a Peer Wellness Educator?
I chose to become a Wellness Educator to become more involved in campus life and to connect with students and faculty. College can be stressful at times, but campus wellness activities helped me find a way to relax! I hope to provide the same for others!
Favorite Wellness Topic: How to handle stress!
Future Goals and Aspirations: Get a doctorate in Epidemiology and be a director of a healthcare company!
Fun Fact: I hate birds.
Starr Amar
Major: Finance
Hometown: Louisville, KY
Hello, my name is Starr Amar, and I am a junior majoring in Finance.
Why did you become a Peer Wellness Educator?
I became a Wellness Educator to become more involved in campus life since I am a commuter.
Favorite Wellness Topic: My favorite/ the topic I find most interesting concerning health and wellness is nutrition and mindfulness.
Future Goals and Aspirations: My future goal is to be working in a financial field that will allow me to help improve the community's financial literacy.
Fun Fact: My favorite Marvel Movie(s) that I can watch over and over and never get tired of is Guardian of the Galaxy movies.
Ashley Campbell
Major: Chemistry and Music
Hometown: Mount Washington, KY
My name is Ashley Campbell, and I am a Chemistry and Music double major! I love chemistry and understanding things on a much smaller level. I also love music, I play the clarinet, flute, and saxophone and mostly play classical music or jazz. I am involved in Campus Wellness, Pioneer Scholars, Peer Coaching, Chemistry Club, Bellarmine Radio, Bellarmine Music Ambassadors, and work as a Chemistry Stockroom assistant. You can usually see me all over campus! I love to meet new people so please say hi!
Why did you become a Peer Wellness Educator?
I chose to become a Peer Wellness Educator because of the past Peer Wellness Educators! They were all very nice and helped me through some hard times, and I want to give back that same love that I got.
Favorite Wellness Topic: Depression/Seasonal Depression.
Future Goals and Aspirations: My future goal is to become a toxicologist and help communities have access to clean drinking water, sustainable food/resources, and clean air. Many communities here in Louisville and nationwide don't have these resources, and I want to help make a difference.
Fun Fact: I am a first-generation college student
Sophomore Peer Wellness Educators
Sarah Recktenwald
Major: Elementary Education and Learning and Behavioral Disorders
Hometown: Louisville, KY
Hey! My name is Sarah Recktenwald, and this is my 2nd year as a Peer Wellness Educator. I’m a part of the WOW team, KnightU Orientation, Ambassadors, and I’m the PR/Fundraising chair of Alternative Spring Break. Outside of school, I enjoy watching basketball, painting, and playing piano.
Why did you become a Peer Wellness Educator?
When I was applying for work-study, I knew that I wanted a job that had much interaction with other people. Campus Wellness was the perfect opportunity to help others through events and activities welcoming to all people.
Favorite Wellness Topic: The 8 Dimensions of Wellness
Future Goals and Aspirations: I hope that one day I can be either a general classroom teacher or a learning consultant for students with disabilities. Also, I would love to illustrate a children’s book.
Fun Fact: I can complete a sudoku puzzle in less than a minute.
Amy Caldwell
Major: DAT Communications
Hometown: I am originally from Garrard County, in the middle of nowhere, west of Lexington. I moved to Louisville just before attending Atherton High School.
Hi, I’m Amy Caldwell. I enjoy crystals, making jewelry, and baking. I work part time/ full time at Bounce N’ Round Inflatables. There, I am a hostess of birthday parties and I also help with delivering inflatables to various locations.
Why did you become a Peer Wellness Educator?
I became a Peer Wellness Educator because I respect and understand the importance of wellness that Bellarmine Wellness is here to offer. I enjoy being able to help fellow Bellarmine students in activities that help to ease the struggles of college.
Favorite Wellness Topic: My favorite wellness topic would be anything that involves relaxing activities, such as essential oils or sensory toys.
Future Goals and Aspirations: Eventually, I wish to become a film director and/or a film editor. With such a job, I hope to influence the world for the better and work toward a more fulfilling environmental wellness for the Earth using the films I make as a platform for advocacy.
Fun Fact: I occasionally take out my false teeth to see people’s funny reactions.
Jessica Heberlein
Major: Biology/Pre-Dental
Hometown: Birmingham, AL
Hi, my name is Jessica Heberlein, and I am from Birmingham, AL. I am majoring in Biology on the Pre-Dental track, and I hope to become an orthodontist. I am on the Bellarmine Cheer Team, and I have cheered for 13 years. I have always been an advocate for mental health and hope to educate others on different mental health topics at Bellarmine.
Why did you become a Peer Wellness Educator?
I became a Peer Wellness Educator because I have experienced different kinds of mental health issues. I want to educate others on the seriousness of mental health topics and help students be able to manage it during their time at Bellarmine.
Favorite Wellness Topic: Mental health and Sleep habits
Future Goals and Aspirations: My goal is to get into dental school so I can go on and become an orthodontist at my own practice.
Fun Fact: I have danced for 15 years.