Health Promotion Assistants (HPAs)

Health Promotion Assistants (HPAs) are student workers that work in the Hamre Center for Health and Well-being. HPAs collaborate with staff to identify health and well-being needs of students and create theory-informed and evidence-based initiatives to address these demonstrated needs. HPAs work as a team to create programs for the Macalester student body that promote safer substance use, sexual respect, and mental health. 

HPAs will also have opportunities to gain professional knowledge and skills that will continue to serve them beyond their time as a Macalester student, developing students as leaders, fostering career readiness, and developing skills necessary for professional success. Examples of these opportunities include:

• National Conference Presentation
• Programmatic Assessment
• Data Analysis
• Networking with professionals in diverse fields of health and well-being
• Training in key principles and theories of Health Promotion
• Budget Management
• Event Planning

Pictured above are Health Promotion Assistants at the NASPA Strategies January 2026 Conference.

What sort of programs do HPAs implement?

Check out some of the events and tabling our HPAs have been involved with in the past:

What about safer sex kits and harm reduction supplies?

Health Promotion Assistants oversee and pack the safer sex kits and harm reduction supplies! Any Macalester student can anonymously request the following supplies and they’ll be discreetly delivered to your SPO. To request safer sex kits, please use this request form.

-External condoms (lubricated, latex and non-latex options)
-Internal condoms
-Dental dams
-Lubricant
-Fentanyl test strips (FTS)
-Naloxone or “Narcan”
-Drug deactivation kits
-Menstrual cups

How can I apply to be a Health Promotion Assistant?

HPAs are hired on a semesterly basis. To see if we are currently hiring, please check the student job board on JobX. You can also reach out to [email protected] to inquire.