Monday, April 20th, 12 - 2 PM, Love Your Body Day, Commons Mainstreet 

Join OHP as we partner with SGA's Free Menstrual Product Committee for Love Your Body Day. Stop by our Skin/Mind Connection table to explore how stress/anxiety and mental health can affect the skin. 

Wednesday, April 22nd, 12-1 PM Wellness Wednesday, Commons Mainstreet

Join the Sexual Health and Healthy Relationships Student Peer Health Educators for Denim Day. Stop by to support survivors of sexual violence by writing a patch of support.  

Wednesday, April 22nd, 12- 1 PM, Student Mental Health Conversations, Lower Flat Tuesdays

Join OHP and RIH for student-led mental health conversations. UMBC students will facilitate these conversations. Join for storytelling, crafting and snacks! 

Thursday, April 23rd, 3:30 - 5 PM, Survivor Self-Care Day, WGEC Lounge

Join OHP in supporting the WGEC's Survivor Self-Care Day. Peer Health Educators will host breathing bracelet making.

*All events are open for full participation by all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected category under applicable federal law, state law, and the University's nondiscrimination policy.

The Office of Health Promotion welcomed a new director, Brittany Goetsch, in October 2025. One of our Peer Health Educators, Kimia, interviewed her. Check it out below.

Kimia: Hi, Brittany! Thank you so much for meeting with me today. I’m excited to learn more about your work and the impact of the Office of Health Promotion here at UMBC. I have a few questions for you, and I’d love to hear your responses. Are you ready?

Brittany: Yes!

Kimia: Awesome. To start off, can you tell us a little bit about your background and what led you to pursue a career in health promotion?

Brittany: That’s a great question to start off. I have a background in public health; I have my Master's in Public Health. Previously, before grad school, I was in the Peace Corps in Peru and focused on health promotion, providing health information and health education to the young people in my town. I worked with children, middle-school-aged kids, as well as high schoolers. I focused primarily on high schoolers and then some young adults as well. We did some health groups and health programming with young adults in their college years. Then, I went to grad school and spent the last eight years at Johns Hopkins University at the Center for Communication Programs, focusing on international health and implementing a knowledge management project for family planning that was funded through USAID.

Kimia: What inspired you to join UMBC and take on the role of Director for the Office of Health Promotion?

Brittany: As I mentioned in my background, I’ve been passionate about health education, providing health education, and thinking strategically about health education programming and promotion throughout my career. The enthusiasm within this community is contagious. Everyone I spoke with was deeply engaged in their work, driven by a shared, passionate focus on the students. It is a motivating atmosphere, and I love to be a part of such an active, supportive, and dedicated community.

Kimia: So, as the Director, what does a typical day of work look like for you, and what are some of your key responsibilities regarding ongoing projects?

Brittany: That’s a great question! I am still in an intentional learning phase; mapping out how various departments and student initiatives interconnect. Because 'student health and well-being' is such a broad landscape, I’m focused on defining the specific role the Office of Health Promotion plays in helping students become their healthiest selves.

A major part of my work involves evaluating how we collaborate across the university to achieve that goal. I’m currently auditing our mission and objectives to ensure our programming remains relevant to an evolving student body. Specifically, I’m looking at assessment; how do we move beyond tracking participation to measuring real impact? I want to know if students are not only gaining knowledge but actually shifting their behaviors.

Alongside that strategic work, I collaborate closely with our Peer Health Educators. My goal is to ensure their experience is more than just a role, it’s a professional foundation that equips them with the leadership, communication, and collaboration skills they’ll need for future careers in health promotion.

Kimia: Looking ahead, what is your vision for the Office of Health Promotion over the next few years?

Brittany: My vision for the Office of Health Promotion is really to be a leader in the conversation on student health and well-being. I want our Office to be a place where students can come to learn about health and well-being, but also to be a place where students can come to be heard and to have their voices included in the conversation. I want to make sure that we are providing programming that is relevant to students, that is accessible to students, and that is meeting students where they are.

Kimia: As you mentioned, the Office of Health Promotion runs so many impactful programs. Could you highlight a few recent initiatives that you are particularly interested in expanding or developing further?

Brittany: That’s a great question, and I think that’s an evolving question. We continue to have conversations as a staff and with the Peer Health Educators to see where we can grow and where it makes more sense to take a step back. I think there are wonderful events that we've put on recently. The Peer Health Educators are creative and inspiring to me in the ideas they have come up with related to those events and really engaging the student body.

There are several different things we’re looking at as the Office of Health Promotion to expand into: how we update our workshop programming, how we better promote our workshop programming, and also how we engage with and promote our Mind Spa locations. 

Kimia: So, you mentioned the Mind Spa. Could you tell us a little bit more about what that is and how students can access it?

Brittany: Yeah, definitely! The Mind Spa is a really cool resource here on campus. It’s essentially a space for students to relax, de-stress, and take a break from their busy lives. We actually have several different locations across campus: The Center for Well-Being, Patapsco, Elk/Terrace apartments and the Library, third floor. 

The Center for Well Being, Elk/Terrace apartment and Pataopsco locations feature at least one massage chair, sand play, a relaxation corner with mats/pillows, sound and water machine and aromatherapy.

Students can visit any of these spots to use the resources by swiping their IDs. We are currently looking at ways to promote these spaces even more so every student knows they are available.

Kimia: Those sound great! Why do you think health promotion and student well-being are so important, especially in a university setting?

Brittany: I think student health and well-being are so important because they are the foundation for everything else that students do. If students are not healthy, if they are not well, they are not going to be able to be successful in their classes, they're not going to be able to be successful in their jobs, and they're not going to be able to be successful in their relationships. So, I think it's really important that we're providing students with the tools and the resources they need to be healthy and well.

Kimia: Definitely. How can students get involved with the Office of Health Promotion, and what advice would you give to someone who wants to make a positive impact on campus health?

Brittany: There are so many ways for students to get involved!

• Currently we are accepting applications for the Peer Health Educator program. This is a great way to learn more about health and well-being and to help other students learn as well. The application can be found on our myUMBC page and the link tree in our Instagram.

• Speaking of Instagram, students can follow us at @umbcohp, and/or email us at ohp@umbc.edu.

• Students can attend our workshops and our events. We have a lot of great programming throughout the year. Check out our myUMBC page to learn more!

• We are always looking for feedback from students! If you have ideas for programming or ways that we can better serve the student body, please let us know.

Brittany (cont.): As for advice, I would say to start small. You don't have to change the world overnight. Even small changes can make a big impact. And don't be afraid to ask for help. There are so many people here at UMBC who want to see you succeed and who want to help you be healthy and well.

Kimia: Those sound like amazing resources. Before we wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with the UMBC community?

Brittany: I think the main thing I’d like to share is just that we’re here for you. Our goal is to support your health and well-being and help you become your healthiest self. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have questions or if you want to get involved. We are always looking for ways to better serve the student body.

Kimia: That’s great. Thank you so much for your time and for sharing all of this, Brittany. It’s been a pleasure talking with you today!

Brittany: Thank you! It’s been a pleasure talking with you as well.

Wednesday, April 15th, 12-1 PM Wellness Wednesday, Commons Mainstreet

Join the Graduate Student Peer Health Educators for a Body & Mind Rest: Wellness Check In! Stop by to check in with your mind and care for your body. Spin the wheel to answer a trivia question and leave some kind words on our kindness wall. 

Thursday, April 16th, 5 PM - 9 PM, Take Back the Night, Commons Mainstreet

Join OHP as we support the Women's, Gender, and Equity Center in taking a stand against campus sexual violence by attending the Survivor Speak-Out and joining our Campus March.  

*All events are open for full participation by all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected category under applicable federal law, state law, and the University's nondiscrimination policy.

Interested in becoming a Peer Health Educator? Apply for the 2026-2027 academic year! The Peer Health Educator program allows students to serve as leaders on campus and promote health/well-being, and there's a stipend! 
Application is live! Applications must be submitted by Friday, April 10.  2026- 2027 Peer Health Educator Application

Monday, April 6th, 4 - 6 PM Break the Mold, Fireside Lounge
Join our Graduate Peer Health Educators for networking and pottery. Meet UMBC alumni and learn their tips for standing out in the job market and furthering your education, and hear how these alumni manage their mental health and overall well-being while managing responsibilities. 

Tuesday, April 7th, 3 - 5 PM, RIH/OPH Spring Open, Center for Well-Being

Celebrate World Health Day by taking a space tour of RIH, checking your blood pressure and weight, trying out free acupuncture, and finishing in the mind spa with meditation or a quick massage chair session.

Wednesday, April 8th, 12-1 PM Wellness Wednesday, Commons Mainstreet

Join the Physical Health and Alcohol and Other Drugs Peer Health Educators for heart health tips! Stop by and see how many tips you're already doing to benefit your heart!

Thursday, April 9th 11 AM - 1 PM, Letting Go to Grow, Commons Terrace

Join the Mental Health Peer Health Educators for some mental and emotional declutter. Take a break from the stress and join them on the terrace for some mental health exercises. 

*All events are open for full participation by all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected category under applicable federal law, state law, and the University's nondiscrimination policy.

Interested in becoming a Peer Health Educator? Apply for the 2026-2027 academic year! The Peer Health Educator program allows students to serve as leaders on campus and promote health/well-being, and there's a stipend! 
Application is live! Applications must be submitted by Friday, April 10.  2026- 2027 Peer Health Educator Application