First-Generation Well-being Ambassadors - University Health Service

Graph displaying that 34.1% and 59.1% of first-gen students and 38.1% and 70.9% of all undergraduate students sought mental health services and saw a medical provider, respectively.

Why do we have this program?

According to 2022 National College Health Assessment data, University of Rochester first-generation students reported visiting a medical provider and receiving psychological or mental health services at lower rates than the overall undergraduate population. This is consistent with national data as well.

To address this disparity, we hope that Well-being Ambassadors can connect first-generation students to on campus services available to them, such as UHS primary care, counseling, health promotion services, and more.

Goals of the Program

Increase awareness of UHS services, including primary care, counseling, and health promotion.
Increase utilization of health care services by first-generation students.
Support the well-being of our first-generation students.
Connect first-generation students to other resources on campus (academic, social, cultural, etc.).
Provide a point of contact within UHS for first-generation students to ask questions about health care services.

What can our Well-being Ambassadors help with?

Every first-year, first-generation student will receive communication from one of our Well-being Ambassadors at the beginning of each semester during their first year at the University. These students are self-identified using data from their Health History Form. Ambassadors are available to answer questions from students via email or to meet briefly in person or virtually. Your Ambassador will be able to get you connected to the correct resource within UHS or elsewhere on campus, meaning that your relationship with your Ambassador will likely be more short-lived than that of the resource they connect you with.