Alba Enriquez ’26 and Emily Yao ’26

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cross myriad colleges and universities, the lives of most students have at least a few things in common: stress, busy schedules and interrupted sleep. While they might be par for the course, these behaviors can take a toll on overall health and well-being.

Alba Enriquez ’26 and Emily Yao ’26 help their classmates to create healthier habits in their roles as Alice! Health Promotion CU Well peer leaders. Through workshops, trainings and events — even dog therapy — the psychology major from Lima, Peru, and the cognitive science major from Palo Alto, Calif., have dedicated their undergraduate years to serving their peers. They provide a space to talk about wellness, mental health and building a foundation for life after graduation. “We’re leading these workshops, but we also understand that we have to prioritize these things for ourselves,” Yao says.

How did you hear about the opportunity to be peer leaders?

Yao: I knew about Alice! when I applied to Columbia, and doing community service that’s related to public health and mental health is something I’m really passionate about. I saw a flyer on a bulletin board in my dorm [in the Spring semester of my first year], so I thought I’d try my luck and apply.

Enriquez: I found the opportunity on the [Alice!] website. I was looking for ways in which I could connect with and help the Columbia community. I applied during the Spring semester of my sophomore year, so I’ve been with Alice! for two years now.

What topics do you cover in your workshops?

Enriquez: We have so many: Sleep 101, Time Management, Stress Management, Connecting to Nature, and Friend to Friend. We also do Naloxone training. I really like Time Management because I enjoy talking to students about what they’re struggling with and fitting the workshop to meet their needs. You can adapt the material for different student populations.

Yao: [I agree] it’s exciting that we can update the curriculum to suit student needs. Every semester, the peer leaders will talk about what we’re seeing with [other students] and any changes we should make. It’s cool to see how the workshops have evolved. I enjoy the Naloxone workshop. Though it’s not the most fun to teach, there’s definitely something [rewarding] about knowing it has a tangible impact.

How would you say you’ve grown from your Alice! experience?

Enriquez: It’s allowed me to get better at talking to strangers. Tabling is all about talking to people on the Lerner ramps and telling them about Alice! I used to be a little bit shyer in those scenarios, so that’s definitely an area of growth. And my public speaking has gotten better from doing workshops, too. I feel like I’m better at giving presentations in class.

Yao: For me, it’s been a way to feel more connected to campus. When I arrived in my first year, I had my friends, but I didn’t know the landscape of Columbia very well. Now, I feel a lot more in touch with different student groups and staff and even some administrators. We have students on our staff not just from the College, but also from Mailman, Teachers College and Barnard; it’s been a nice way to get to know people from other schools. It brings me so much joy to meet people whom I’d otherwise never get the chance to meet.

How have you taken advantage of being in NYC for college?

Yao: I think it’s really a shame when people get so busy that they can’t leave campus, because so many of us come here to be in the city. I’ve really tried to take advantage of the resources that Columbia has to offer, like free and discounted museums. During my first year, I used to go to The Met on random Tuesdays for, like, 30 minutes, just because I could.

Enriquez: For me, it boils down to three words: friends, food and fashion. I’ve cultivated great friendships with the people around me and I’ve made so many good memories trying new things and new food, and being exposed to different cultures. I also like to explore my identity through fashion and to find ways to be unique in a chaotic place. I love people watching; it’s like seeing my Pinterest feed in real life with everyone’s different styles.