As a peer educator group, S.H.A.P.E. provides interactive presentations to the UConn community. Our presentation discusses topics such as but not limited to body image, eating disorders and disordered eating, the impacts of societal pressures on appearance and self-esteem, navigating media, how to help a friend, and tips for creating an accepting campus environment for students. If you are interested in receiving a presentation for your group or organization, please submit a request through this form 

National Eating Disorders Awareness (NEDA) week is held annually during the last week of February. The goal of NEDA week is to encourage conversations regarding body image and promote eating disorder awareness and advocacy.

UConn S.H.A.P.E. hosts a variety of activities for NEDA week, some of which in the past include tabling events, fashion shows, collaborations with other groups on campus like the Women’s Center and Active Minds, guest speakers, and more. 

Plate Smash

Plate smash provides an opportunity for students to smash societal standards, expectations, and pressures for our bodies. Students are able to write any negative thoughts regarding appearance, diet, self-esteem, or any other source of stress onto a plate and smash it. Plate smash is one of S.H.A.P.E.’s signature events, smashing upwards of 350 plates each time. 

Give One, Get One

Take some positivity and pass it on! This tabling event provides an opportunity for students to both take and write positive affirmations on cards to pass along to members of the UConn community. 

Letters of Support 

A new initiative in which members of S.H.A.P.E gather to write letters of support for individuals actively in Eating Disorder Recover Centers. Letters include uplifting, positive messages filled with self-worth reminders and encouragement; nobody should ever be alone in their recovery journey! S.H.A.P.E is always looking to collaborate with other organizations!

UConn S.H.A.P.E. is involved in a variety of tabling events on campus throughout the year. We can be found at the annual Student Health and Wellness Fair each Fall, the annual Sexual Health and Wellness Fair in the Spring, and the Involvement Fair held at the beginning of both academic semesters. There are interactive activities and information about eating disorder resources, body image, and how to get involved in S.H.A.P.E.! 

S.H.A.P.E is always looking to collaborate with other organizations! In the past, we have engaged in a variety of collaborations: training presentations within SHaW, PreMed and other educational organizations, Greek Life, on-campus clubs, guest speakers, and more! 

• Being a UConn S.H.A.P.E. peer educator is a great way to get involved around campus, take on new leadership roles, and network with other passionate peer educators. 

• UConn S.H.A.P.E. is supervised by SHaW Registered Dietitians. 

• All S.H.A.P.E. members learn information about eating disorders, body image, how to help a friend, campus resources, combating negative body talk, the impact of media, and more.  

• All members learn techniques to facilitate workshops, lead presentations, and develop strong communication skills.  

• All members engage in what we call “internal development” (such as critiquing articles or discussing positive podcasts to continually engage in body acceptance discussions and other relevant topics). 

• All members develop, plan, and execute a personal project with the support of S.H.A.P.E interns and professional staff. Project ideas are completely up to the peer educator; previous personal projects have included orchestrating collaborations, bringing in a guest speaker, working with cultural centers and pre-professional organizations, and doing outreach to the community around UConn.  

• Meetings are held weekly or biweekly. 

If interested in learning more about UConn S.H.A.P.E. or getting involved, please fill out the interest form below. 

“Being a part of a group of peer educators in SHAPE has helped me in my ability to communicate about things that are hard to talk about. Working with so many amazing and intelligent people has been such a great learning experience and has taught me skills that I will use throughout my lifetime. I love getting the chance to educate others, but also be educated by others in the process.”

-Elizabeth Shaul, Digital Media and Design ‘23 SHAPE Intern  

“SHAPE is a welcoming environment that promotes conversation about body positivity and body image. It’s been a rewarding experience getting to work with not only the rest of the group, but working on larger scale projects like Jars of Self Acceptance (Spring 2020) with USG.”

– Robert Fisk Jr Management and Information Systems ‘22  

“Over the years, SHAPE has provided me with friendships, leadership skills, public speaking experiences, and a voice to advocate for topics I personally believe need more attention on college campuses. When I was a freshman, I wanted to get involved in something related to eating disorder awareness at UConn. Four years later, I had no idea SHAPE would have provided me with such amazing opportunities, including planning events with other on-campus organizations, experiences collaborating with registered dietitians, and fantastic information to carry on with me into my future career in nutrition.”

– Maia Smith, Nutritional Sciences ‘21 SHAPE Intern  

“SHAPE has given me a safe space to learn about body positivity and eating disorders. The group taught me not only how to help others, but also how to help myself in my own struggles in body image. I am excited to take what I’ve learned and apply it throughout my life and career as a future registered dietitian”

-Autumn Blasi, Nutritional Sciences ‘21 Peer Educator  

“Being a part of a group of peer educators in SHAPE has helped me in my ability to communicate about things that are hard to talk about. Working with so many amazing and intelligent people has been such a great learning experience and has taught me skills that I will use throughout my lifetime. I love getting the chance to educate others, but also be educated by others in the process.”

– Elizabeth Shaul, Digital Media and Design ‘23 SHAPE Intern  

“From my first meeting to my last, SHAPE has been an extremely welcoming community that has provided me with many amazing opportunities through UConn”

-Kristen Rossi, Nutritional Sciences ‘21 Peer Educator  

“SHAPE is a welcoming environment that promotes conversation about body positivity and body image. It’s been a rewarding experience getting to work with not only the rest of the group, but working on larger scale projects like Jars of Self Acceptance (Spring 2020) with USG.”

– Robert Fisk Jr Management and Information Systems ‘22