Taking a college course at Winona State University isn't what it used to be. In many cases, gone are the days of sitting at a desk and taking notes until you are dismissed.

In WSU Assistant Professor of Health, Exercise and Rehabilitative Services Peter Sternberg's program planning class, students like Kelsey Mellard are getting an opportunity to do what they know. Mellard and her classmates were able to learn how public health works in the classroom and then apply their knowledge in the field by working with several different community organizations, such as Home and Community Options of Winona.

"Sternberg's class gave me the opportunity to see what a possible career in public health with a non-profit agency would be like," said Mellard. "Rather than shadowing a professional, we were the professional, which was a great learning opportunity."

This learning experience proved to be successful in more ways than one. The WSU students helped two Winona businesses win a statewide award.

Home and Community Options and TRW Automotive, of Winona, received the BlueCross BlueShield of Minnesota Champions of Health Award in March 2005. Champions of Health is a program that recognizes people who make a healthy difference in their workplace or community.

As a part of Sternberg's class, WSU students worked with local organizations to design and develop health programs based on the individual company's needs. The students designed a survey and conducted a needs assessment of the company's employees.

The students then did the research, discussed the results of the research with the company, advised the company on what programs would offer their employees the most benefit, and developed the programs.

Sternberg said his students have been doing this type of work in the community for about a year and a half.

"My students are going out to promote health and that's going to be their profession," said Sternberg. "Doing that isn't an easy task. We can talk about it in the classroom, but going out into the community helps students deal with real issues in the field."

Denny Theede, executive director of Home and Community Options, said they have appreciated the support of Sternberg and his students. Through the partnership, Home and Community Options was able to expand on three initiatives already in progress.

"The partnership is essential in training a new generation of professionals," said Theede, "and it's tremendously helpful to us as a non-profit organization. It gives students a look at the real world and it allows our community to grow stronger."

In January of 2004, Sternberg's students partnered with TRW's Wellness Committee to identify the activities that would start to address the health needs of TRW's employees.

The WSU students developed a 20 question confidential health survey for TRW which was completed by 70% of the employees in the plant. Based on the results of the survey, the Wellness Committee decided to implement two activities: a health fair and an exercise program. The effort resulted in a 60% participation rate for the health fair and 50% of the employees took part in the first walking program.

Peter Bagshaw, TRW's human resources manager, said the programs were well received by employees.

"It has been a great opportunity for TRW Automotive to work with WSU on activities that benefit our employees and the local community," said Bagshaw. "We have already scheduled further activities with Assistant Professor Sternberg and his students for 2005 and hope to continue with this partnership into the future."