The PIVOT Program trains undergraduate students to serve as campus leaders dedicated to building a UVM community free from interpersonal violence (i.e., sexual violence, dating/intimate partner violence, and stalking). Peer educators organize events, create social awareness campaigns, and develop and run workshops on various topics (e.g., dispelling rape myths, bystander intervention strategies, consent education, healthy relationship skills) that give UVM students the knowledge and tools to help prevent violence on and off campus. Peer educator training uses an intersectional approach in which trainees learn about the structural, cultural, and social contexts that uphold violence and differentially impact the experiences of survivors of various identities and backgrounds. The PIVOT Peer Educator Program is a student-driven initiative founded on activism and social justice. As such, it aims to empower all UVM students to help create the environment where they live and learn.
PIVOT Program Design
The Internship
PIVOT peer educators are paid interns tasked with collaborating, planning, creating, and implementing real social change efforts in the UVM community. Educators work towards their own project goals, while also serving as important partners and consultants for UVM-sponsored prevention initiatives. Throughout the semester-long internship, students are also tasked with evaluating their work for meaningful inclusivity that centers the voices of the most marginalized victim-survivors on campus.
While the internship’s design provides necessary structure and close mentorship from Dr. Demers, students are given a great deal of autonomy and creative freedom. Each cohort chooses the topic of the workshop they will develop for the semester and sets their own priorities for new and creative collaborations, campaigns, and events. Grounded in a community-engaged model, PIVOT views peer educators as valued experts in their communities, empowering them to create meaningfully tailored prevention efforts that recognize UVM’s unique needs.
The Prerequisite Course
Prior to applying for the PIVOT internship, students must have completed a prerequisite course, HSCI 1036: Preventing Campus Sexual and Dating Violence. Students in this course gain an understanding of research, practice, and policy related to interpersonal violence and prevention science, building the knowledge base necessary to inform their future work as peer educators. The course also uses an intersectional lens to examine the role of interpersonal violence within larger systems of oppression.
The prerequisite course meets Catamount Core Curriculum requirements for Social Sciences (S1) and Diversity of Human Experience (D2). The course is also cross-listed with the Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies Program (GSWS 1405). Any student who wishes to gain a better understanding of interpersonal violence may take HSCI 1036, regardless of major, college, class year, or whether they plan to apply for the PIVOT peer educator internship.
Our Activist Roots
A History Rooted in Survivor and Student Activism
The PIVOT program only exists due to the courageous efforts of UVM student-survivors and their allies. Inspired by the formidable voices of one another, survivors of interpersonal violence at UVM began sharing their individual experiences and collective outrage on social media in the spring of 2021. Their powerful stories led to one of the largest walkouts at UVM in recent history, with around 2,000 students coming together in protest. These social change efforts resulted in a list of demands that the administration agreed to implement. The PIVOT program emerged out of one of these laudable requests. Recognizing this important history, PIVOT strives to remain student-driven by giving undergraduates agency in the program’s development and implementation.
UVM's Communications & Progress in Addressing Sexual Violence
Student News Articles
UVM’s response to student requests regarding sexual violence prevention
Thousands call on UVM to reform handling of sexual violence
Hundreds protest sexual violence at UVM on Admitted Students Visit Day
Meet Our Research & Program Development Team
The PIVOT Research & Program Development Team is comprised of a group of dedicated undergraduate students who are volunteering their time to help shape the peer educator program. The group is currently engaged in designing and conducting a mixed-methods community needs assessment to gather nuanced information about perceptions of interpersonal violence on campus that can then inform the continued development of the PIVOT program.
Our mission as a collaborative team working to inform the PIVOT program is to actively engage with and empower our community by assessing their unique needs and experiences. This work, rooted in activism and advocacy, acknowledges that prevention is not one-size-fits-all. By using a community-engaged scholarship approach, we strive to build a program that is not only informed by research, but that is shaped by the voices and perspectives of UVM survivors and community members. We acknowledge that the voices of survivors and those with marginalized identities have been too often silenced or ignored. Therefore, we aim to create a study design that centers the needs of survivors, approaches this community issue with sensitivity and respect, and ensures that our most marginalized and underrepresented community members feel safe and comfortable sharing their experiences.
Our Current Team Members
Maeve Begin
Senior, Public Health Sciences
I am honored to be a part of such an important project here in our community that aligns with my passion for advocacy. Dr. Demers' devotion to this project is inspiring and I look forward to seeing all the good that the program will bring to our campus.
Outside of the PIVOT team I am a member of the honors college and enjoy skiing and hiking and am looking forward to a career in public health.
Maddie Brown
Senior, Human Development and Family Science
As a Human Development and Family Science major, in my college experience, I have spent a lot of my time learning about the importance of prevention and intervention. With a specific interest in trauma therapy, I have found the work I have done in PIVOT and in Dr. Demers’ interpersonal violence classes to be insightful. I hope to bring this new knowledge and experience into a future career working with and supporting survivors of sexual violence.
I have enjoyed learning from my fellow passionate peers who are involved in developing the PIVOT program. I look forward to working with more people in the future who share the same drive to make an impact in this field. I have appreciated Dr. Demers mentorship throughout this process, and I am excited for the prospective change the PIVOT program is going to bring to University of Vermont.
Aine Sponholz
Senior, Environmental Studies and Sociology
Understanding and preventing interpersonal violence has been an interest of mine for a long time. When I first got to UVM, I joined the Sexual Violence Prevention Task Force for Sorority and Fraternity Life in my first semester after joining a sorority. It was through this group that I was able to meet Dr. Demers when I originally asked her to speak at an event we were having. Later that semester, when she reached out about the class she was beginning and the start of the PIVOT program, I knew I would have loved to be a part of it. I am already proud of the pivot team for the dedication and commitment to helping our school, and I cannot wait to see where Dr. Demers and this team can take the peer education program.
Katy Blanchfield
Junior, Psychological Science
Preventing interpersonal violence has been something that has pressed on my heart for a long time. Getting to UVM and being able to connect with the domestic violence awareness movement through my sorority and the University Sexual Violence Prevention Task Force has been incredibly inspiring to see what work has been done and the passion we all need to have to continue these efforts. Being a psychology major with a minor in human development and family science, my end goal is to work in childhood psychology and advocacy, especially in cases of DV. I am so excited to be a part of the PIVOT program and I have so many ideas to share as a peer educator!
Sofia Calzone
Junior, Public Health Sciences
I love collaborating with the team to reduce interpersonal violence on campus. I appreciate how this program allows me to continue my journey of fighting for social equity. I enjoy tailoring this program to help best fit the needs of our community, and hopefully improve campus living. I enjoy working with PIVOT to learn more about the norms that condone interpersonal violence and how we can best uplift survivors. This work allows me to delve into my passions and learn how to create impactful research. I intend to pursue my MPH and eventually PhD in Health Policy Analysis. I am also a member of the UVM cheer team.
Izzie Khan
Junior, History and Political Science
I first heard of the PIVOT course through a friend, and I instantly knew I wanted to be involved. I think that talking about sexual violence and supporting survivors is incredibly important, and I’m excited that this program is going to teach students the skills they need to then help their peers.
I really enjoyed the first class, and I can’t wait to continue learning from Dr. Demers — who has been an amazing mentor — and my fellow classmates. I am excited to continue to help make UVM a safer and more welcoming place for everyone.
Samjana Rai
Junior, Public Health Sciences
During the first day of classes, Dr. Demers mentioned the PIVOT program and it instantly caught my attention. Before enrolling at UVM, I had been avidly following the news, and as someone who isn't afraid to speak up, I saw it as an opportunity to dive into something I truly cared about while also acquiring new knowledge. Being a part of the team has been incredibly fulfilling; I cherish the company and support from my fellow members.
Sophie Bierman
Sophomore, Public Health Sciences
I am interested in this work because it gives me the opportunity to make an impact on an issue that I care about as I enter the UVM community. I hope to attend graduate school in the future and conduct research. Outside of this work, I enjoy being in the lab and I DJ for the UVM radio station (WRUV).
Summer Puterbaugh
First Year, Psychological Science
I was instantly drawn to the PIVOT program during my first week at UVM due to the passion Dr. Demers expressed for student welfare and safety. I’ve always sought to create an impact, or to simply just get involved, within my environment, and this program not only provided a meaningful research opportunity but a caring medium to assess and meet student needs. I seek to continually advocate for the needs of my school community while supporting survivors.
Team Alumni
Mahder Teferra
Senior, Agroecology and Landscape Design
Although this work does not relate to my studies, I am interested in changing the culture on campus that has been the source of so much harm. This work is not the end all be all for preventing interpersonal violence, but it’s a start. I look forward to seeing the outcome of strong student activism and hope to see the momentum continue.
Outside of PIVOT, I am the President of the Student Government Assocation. I also work at Campus Recreation, Athletics, University Program Board, and have been a part of Orientation for two years.
Gal Rocabado
Post-Baccalaureate, Public Health Sciences
My personal and academic journey in the field of Public Health and Medicine has brought me many places, but few as meaningful as this work of building the PIVOT Program here at the University of Vermont. Collaborating on an interpersonal violence prevention effort structured around research and community engagement has taught me that prevention truly is multidisciplinary with strong roots in community voices. With a passion for family medicine and community health, I am deeply committed to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and cultural humility within healthcare and beyond – and the PIVOT program is just that.
I am determined and looking forward to continue using my skills and knowledge to promote health equity and social justice in my future endeavors, while making conscious efforts to be a catalyst for positive transformation, specifically in fostering a culture of inclusivity, compassion and empowerment for everyone. I must say, this work has been a PIVOTal part of my personal growth and success here at UVM!
Emma DesRoches
Senior, Public Health Sciences
I was initially interested in being a part of PIVOT because I did similar work in high school. I was in MVP, mentors in violence prevention, where I had discussions with other students on interpersonal and domestic violence and ways to bring awareness to it. I loved the opportunity to be a part of this work as it's been a huge discussion on campus for a long time. PIVOT is such a great team to collaborate and share ideas with and I look forward to seeing the impact it has on campus. I plan to continue studying women's health and hopefully do work in that field.
Meet Our PIVOT Peer Educators
PIVOT Peer Educators represent a range of majors and class years. While each student brings unique strengths, skillsets, experiences, and backgrounds to the program, they all share a passion and dedication to preventing interpersonal violence in the UVM community.
Current PIVOT Peer Educators
Katy Blanchfield
Junior, Psychological Science
Preventing interpersonal violence has been something that has pressed on my heart for a long time. Getting to UVM and being able to connect with the domestic violence awareness movement through my sorority and the University Sexual Violence Prevention Task Force has been incredibly inspiring to see what work has been done and the passion we all need to have to continue these efforts. Being a psychology major with a minor in human development and family science, my end goal is to work in childhood psychology and advocacy, especially in cases of DV. I am so excited to be a part of the PIVOT program and I have so many ideas to share as a peer educator this fall!
Maddie Brown
Senior, Human Development and Family Science
As a Human Development and Family Science major, in my college experience, I have spent a lot of my time learning about the importance of prevention and intervention. With a specific interest in trauma therapy, I have found the work I have done in PIVOT and in Dr. Demers’ interpersonal violence classes to be insightful. I hope to bring this new knowledge and experience into a future career working with and supporting survivors of sexual violence.
I have enjoyed learning from my fellow passionate peers who are involved in developing the PIVOT program. I look forward to working with more people in the future who share the same drive to make an impact in this field. I have appreciated Dr. Demers mentorship throughout this process, and I am excited for the prospective change the PIVOT program is going to bring to University of Vermont.
Kennedy Connors
Sophomore, Public Communications
I learned about the PIVOT course through Student Government and instantly knew it was a program I wanted to be a part of. I’ve always been passionate about sexual violence awareness and I’m eager to see what’s in store as a peer educator. The first semester surrounded learning the facts and Dr. Demers couldn’t have taught it better. Everyone I’ve met in this course is beyond knowledgeable and thoughtful which makes it even more exciting to think about all the work we’ll accomplish. Awareness is a group effort so I’m hopeful that we can continue to spread our program's message and encourage other students to get involved!
Aine Sponholz
Senior, Environmental Studies and Sociology
Understanding and preventing interpersonal violence has been an interest of mine for a long time. When I first got to UVM, I joined the Sexual Violence Prevention Task Force for Sorority and Fraternity Life in my first semester after joining a sorority. It was through this group that I was able to meet Dr. Demers when I originally asked her to speak at an event we were having. Later that semester, when she reached out about the class she was beginning and the start of the Pivot program, I knew I would have loved to be a part of it. I am already proud of the pivot team for the dedication and commitment to helping our school, and I cannot wait to see where Dr. Demers and this team can take the peer education program.
Educator Alumni
Keiran Wackett
Junior, Political Science
Like others on the PIVOT team, I began working on the SVPTF at UVM. Leading this group was very fulfilling and I wanted to continue focusing on this work within our UVM community. I was recommended by some of the task force members to take the first course. I found the class to be incredibly important in the context of our community; I truly believe every UVM student could benefit from the course. I'm excited to continue working with Professor Demers and the PIVOT team to further peer education at UVM.
Meet Our Faculty Mentor
Dr. Jennifer Demers brings over a decade of experience in interdisciplinary, mixed-methods research on interpersonal violence to inform her mentorship of the PIVOT Peer Educator Program.