Janel Molnar, director of recreation and wellness, wins national Outstanding Peer Education Advisor award
ASHLAND, Ohio – Janel Molnar ‘04, director of recreation and wellness at Ashland University, achieved national distinction for her work as a leader and mentor, having been selected for the Outstanding Peer Education Advisor award at the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators’ (NASPA) Peer Education Conference in Chicago on Jan. 16.
The honor goes to a peer education advisor who plays a critical role in creating healthier and safer campus environments by fostering meaningful learning environments and supporting student leaders in powerful ways.
At the luncheon when she was presented this year’s award, Molnar was cited for bringing “exceptional insight, empathy and innovation to peer education, empowering students to grow into confident leaders and effective advocates through mentorship and inclusive programming” and for her “visionary leadership, unwavering support and commitment to campus wellness.”
Molnar has been AU’s director of recreation since 2009 and added wellness under her purview in 2021. She is responsible for running the day-to-day operations of the Rec Center, a facility that opened in 2006 and has benefitted tens of thousands of students, faculty, staff and community members. In addition to the facility management, she oversees all recreation activities and programming and promotes student engagement – 97% of traditional undergraduates utilized the Rec Center at least once during the 2025 spring semester.
Molnar has also truly embraced the addition of campus wellness—both for students and employees—to her duties. She works to ensure that the campus is aware of and has programs focusing on each of the seven dimensions of wellness – emotional, environmental, intellectual, occupational, physical, social and spiritual. That ranges from advising the student wellness team to coordinating with different departments to promote wellness resources, to implementing mental health grants, or anything else “to make sure wellness is staying on the forefront of everyone’s minds,” she said.
To manage everything, Molnar relies heavily each year on her student staff which consists of about 150 employees and four interns in facility and student development, marketing, sports clubs and business operations and wellness. And, to run an effective operation of this size, she empowers all of the students, but particularly the interns. They’re not just developing skills and gaining valuable experience, but by giving them a sense of ownership, Molnar is building confidence in their communication, decision-making and problem-solving skills.
“Most of them have had some kind of job before coming into their internship role, but I think it’s just so important to prepare them professionally … for once they start full-time work. I think it’s really unique with us—and I’m sure this is across the board at our university—the importance we place on students and the role that they’re taking on. They truly know the important role that they’re playing because there is significant work that they’re doing,” explained Molnar./p>
Molnar added, “I just really appreciate being a part of the intern’s lives and not just being their supervisor, but being there for them.”
That sentiment certainly rings true for Sarah Watson ’25, a recent graduate who served as the AU Student Wellness Intern from her sophomore through senior years. Watson called Molnar her “college mom” and nominated her for the Outstanding Peer Educator Advisor Award.
“Janel’s unique talents as a peer education advisor shine through in every interaction. Whether she’s guiding students through challenging conversations, developing innovative outreach strategies or simply offering a listening ear, she brings wisdom, warmth and authenticity to her role. Her ability to lead with compassion while holding high standards inspires those around her to rise to their potential,” said Watson, who was selected for the Outstanding Peer Educator Award at the same conference last year.
In her typical selfless way, Molnar deflected the attention from the honor and focused on the meaningful bond she has formed with Watson and other students.
“I was very honored that Sarah nominated me. I think we built a tremendous relationship over the past couple of years, and truly saw the value in each person. Both of us (developed) one another in our roles. I think you can have more enjoyable experiences when you have those relationships at work and sharing in those different things with your co-workers,” said Molnar.
She added, “There are so many different universities that are doing such wonderful things across the nation, so I felt truly honored that I was nominated and absolutely honored that I did receive that honor.”
NASPA, the professional home for the field of student affairs, is dedicated to fulfilling the promise of higher education through guiding principles of integrity, innovation, inclusion and inquiry. Each year, NASPA recognizes the outstanding contributions of members who are transforming higher education through exceptional programs, innovative services and effective administration.