Abstract:
Choices is a student-led sexual health organization at Clark University, a small research university in New England. This project examined how students perceive and engage with Choices, with a focus on comfort, accessibility, and participation in peer-led sexual health education. Using a practitioner inquiry approach, data was collected primarily through an anonymous online survey (n=54), with limited additional input from an anonymous question form shared via Instagram. Findings indicate that while many students felt comfortable accessing the space and basic resources, comfort decreased as engagement required more visible or interpersonal interaction, such as speaking with an educator or selecting certain materials. Qualitative responses highlighted concerns related to privacy, visibility, and uncertainty about how interactions within the space might unfold. At the same time, students described Choices as a valuable and generally positive resource, particularly for those already comfortable with sexual health discourse. These findings suggest that access alone does not guarantee engagement. Instead, participation is shaped by how safe, visible, and socially navigable the space feels. This project highlights the importance of designing peer education spaces that meet students where they are, not where we assume they are.
2026 CYES Portfolio