Colorado State Student Dedicated to Serving Others Honored with Albert C. Yates Student Leadership Award

Erin Northup, recent Health and Exercise Science graduate and recipient of the College of Applied Human Sciences’ Outstanding Senior Award, will be honored with the Albert C. Yates Student Leadership Award in recognition of her leadership efforts and contributions to Colorado State and the community. The award will be presented during the University’s annual Distinguished Alumni Awards dinner Feb. 17.  

"One of the wonderful things about Erin is that she does so many positive things to improve the lives of people without any thought of personal gain," said April Mason, dean of the College of Applied Human Sciences. "Helping and serving people is truly her mission, and the leadership skills she has honed at Colorado State will allow her to make great strides addressing the community health problems facing our nation."

Northup graduated from Colorado State in December 2005 after completing an internship with Poudre Valley Hospital in the Community Health Education department. She co-coordinated programming and implementation for the "Take the Next Step" employee wellness program. She also assisted with implementing youth obesity prevention programs, planned committee meetings, performed school health screenings and developed written education materials. Northup plans to pursue a master’s in public health and focus on community health education.

Currently, Erin is employed half-time at Poudre Valley Hospital and half-time at CSU in the Hartshorn Student Health Center. At CSU Erin coordinates the Wellness Zone and special programs such as Safe Spring Break and Stress Busters.  She also assists in administration of the National College Health Assessment longitudinal study.

At PVH Erin is the Program Assistant of the Lifestyle Challenge.  She performs educational talks, weigh-ins, data management, writing and designing educational materials.

"An outstanding student doesn’t happen by accident; it is the result of sincere effort setting challenging goals and skillful demonstrated leadership; it represents the judicious choice of many opportunities. Erin has laid the groundwork to become a leader in the field of public health.  We are all very proud of her," says Cathy Kennedy, Director of Health Promotion in the Department of Health and Exercise Science.

As a student at Colorado State, Northup was especially committed to student life, working as a resident assistant as well as promoting wellness among her fellow students in the Wellness Zone and through Hartshorn Health Services.

As student health promotion coordinator for the Hartshorn Health Service and The Wellness Zone at Colorado State from August 2004-May 2005, Northup assisted with program design, implementation and materials development for eating disorders awareness programs, stress relief, residence hall physical activity promotion programs and other topics. She coordinated with campus organizations the planning of health events on campus such as The Great American Smokeout, Colorado State Health Fair and Eating Disorders Week.

Northup was an academic mentor and role model to sophomore students as a peer mentor in the Key Plus Academic Community from August 2004-May 2005.  She worked as an office assistant in the College of Applied Human Sciences, a conference assistant on campus and at the front desk at Braiden Hall.

As an RA from August 2002-May 2004, Northup facilitated successful college transitions for students by leading floor meetings, assisting roommate mediations, planning programs, responding to emergencies, enforcing policies and serving as a general resource for students living in the residence halls.

Northup has participated in a variety of volunteer opportunities that served Colorado State students, faculty and staff. In 2004, she volunteered her time to register students to vote as part of the New Voters Project. She was involved with the Student of Color Retreat, RamServe Projects and The Key Academic Community where she helped pick up trash at Horsetooth Reservoir and was a project leader for CSUnity.

She organized and implemented a clothing drive for residents of Braiden Hall that resulted in the donation of over 25 large bags of clothing to charity. She worked at the Health Promotions office at the Hartshorn Health center and assisted with "Dog Day," a program that educated pet owners about the harmful effects of second-hand smoke on pets.

"Service to others is an important value in both my life and career," Northup said. "Nothing motivates me more than feeling like the work I am doing is worthwhile and has real potential to influence lives."

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