Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin has become the first high school in Ohio to partner with Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA) to offer our students nationally recognized Certified Peer Educator (CPE) training and credentialing.

 

The Certified Peer Educator experience gives students the confidence to believe in themselves and the power of influence they have on others.

The CPE program provides foundational-level skills to empower students as stronger leaders, better role models, more effective advocates, and more productive team members. The program’s learning modules include extremely relevant content and specific real-world skills.

  
Facilitators from NASPA’s Colorado headquarters will travel to Chardon to present the 12-hour program on February 15-16. The initial training will be open to juniors selected through an application process to be shared with students during information sessions next week.

  
“For some time now, I’ve been looking for something more significant and forward-looking than National Honor Society, which over the years has really lost its impact,” Principal Mr. Joseph A. Waler explained. “In fact, college representatives who visited our campus earlier this year unanimously told me that NHS membership had zero influence on their admission decisions—zero!”

  
“Earning the nationally recognized CPE credential, on the other hand, should set our students apart as influential leaders who are determined to make a positive difference on our campus now and on scores of college campuses in the very near future,” he said. “I think this program fits perfectly with our mission to educate leaders to transform the world.”  

   
“NDCL has worked with officials from NASPA to adapt the CPE content to our students’ needs,” said Mr. Pietro DeMichele of NDCL’s health staff. Mr. DeMichele will coordinate the program with assistance from other staff members, including our school counselors and administrators.

  
Students who successfully complete the training and commit to the program’s expectations will receive certificates, membership cards, and even resume attachments that they can reference in their college applications.

 
NASPA certifies more than 3,000 college students as peer educators each year. Participants frequently serve in such campus leadership roles as residence hall assistants and orientation leaders.

   
Among the colleges and universities with active CPE programs are The Ohio State University, Case Western Reserve, Miami University of Ohio, Xavier, Northwestern, Columbia, Penn State, and Villanova.