Teresa Drake, M.S., R.D.

As a doctoral student in Health Education at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, I am actively involved with the Alpha Alpha chapter of Eta Sigma Gamma, participating in service and research projects.  I hope to contribute more by running for chapter President.  I am committed to the tenets of teaching, research, and service and have had opportunities to practice each as a professional and student.  Currently, I teach Foundations of Human Health as a Graduate Assistant for our department and have past teaching experience at Eastern Illinois University in Family and Consumer Sciences.  In the past, research I have conducted examined corporate wellness programs and various aspects of nutrition.  My research interests also include the impact of obesity bias and the role of professional preparation in health education.  In addition to being a member of ESG, I am also a member of the American Association for Health Education and the American Dietetic Association.  I feel that the diversity of my education (BS in Chemistry, 1999, and MS in Family Consumer Sciences, 2003) and experiences influence my perspectives and provide a strong foundation for my future.  Professionally, I aspire to prepare health educators and instill the ESG values of teaching, research, and service.  

Student at Large Statement

I would like to become more actively involved in Eta Sigma Gamma leadership by serving as the Student At-Large member on the National ESG Board of Directors.  This experience would allow me to contribute to the advancement of our organization, as well as develop my own leadership skills.  The student member has a unique opportunity in representing others and I could provide a strong voice for my fellow student Gammans.  I am a new member of ESG and can provide a fresh and enthusiastic perspective.  I expect to utilize my excellent written and oral communication skills, coupled with creativity and eagerness, to fulfill the responsibilities, such as publishing The Vision and collaborating with other health education leaders on ESG initiatives.  Like many students, I look forward to attending conferences.  As the Student At-Large member of ESG, I would be excited to help plan programs and activities that would interest students and encourage their attendance and participation at those conferences.  Overall, this position provides an exciting opportunity for insight into our national honorary.  I expect hard work and plenty of responsibility, but I also anticipate having fun while doing it.  I am ready for the task!

Laura Elmore

I am currently enrolled as an undergraduate Health Education major with a Family and Consumer Sciences minor at Illinois State University. I am president of the Omega chapter of Eta Sigma Gamma at Illinois State University. I am involved with the community through my volunteer at the Discovery Children’s Museum. I helped the museum develop and evaluate a series of nutrition and fitness activities to compliment their upcoming exhibit. I am currently working with the American Cancer Society to set up a benefit event at Illinois State University. I also work with the Illinois State Wellness Program for faculty and staff. I am a teachers assistant Educational Psychology. I am also an honors student at ISU. In my free time I play for a competitive Ultimate Frisbee club team. My plan for the future is to attend graduate school.

Student-at-large Statement

I would like to be the next student-at-large for Eta Sigma Gamma for two main reasons: my own professional development and to help my local chapter. Ever since I have started my academic career I have sought out leadership roles and any opportunities to gain experience in the health field. I have two years left in my undergraduate studies and being student-at-large would help me prepare for my future by allowing me to work closely with other health care professionals. I am passionate about health education and being student-at-large would help me gain a better understanding of the issues faced by health educators. The next reason and the more important reason I would like to be the next student-at-large is to help my local chapter. Last semester I was given a large bag full of Eta Sigma Gamma Omega Chapter documents. I saw that about nine years ago the Omega chapter was flourishing. It had dedicated members and lots of them. It was putting on events left and right. Unfortunately the past few years our local chapter has struggled. We have had a difficult time recruiting members and then keeping them active. The Omega chapter has great potential this year. We are working hard to make the Omega chapter a strong organization, but we need help. Being student-at-large would give me the opportunity to give my chapter more insight to what Eta Sigma Gamma is all about. I think that I would receive valuable skills and tools from the national board to bring back to my chapter to help it flourish. We have some great members and lots of great students in the health department; the Omega chapter just needs help getting back on its feet. I am their president and they look to me to lead them in the right direction. Understanding more about Eta Sigma Gamma would help me be a better leader for them, and I think being the next student-at-large is the best way to learn more.