2026 National Meeting Call for Proposals

2026 National Meeting Call for Proposals

Submission Deadline: Friday, April 10, 2026

The Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Drug Misuse Prevention and Recovery (HECAOD), in partnership with HECAOD’s Training Advisory Committee, invites proposals for the 2026 National Meeting, a fully virtual experience that will be hosted live via Zoom. This year’s conference will bring together prevention, intervention, and recovery professionals from across the country for a dynamic, accessible remote learning experience. All sessions will be conducted synchronously online, with recordings available to registered attendees.

The Higher Education Center and our Training Advisory Committee welcome proposals exploring all facets of collegiate prevention, early intervention, and recovery work. While proposals on any related topic will be considered, we are interested in developing tracks on the following topics:

Substance Use Trends, Harm Reduction, and Student Behavioral Health

The landscape of substance use among college students is rapidly evolving, with changes in cannabis potency, nicotine product innovation, and growing conversations around psychedelics and self‑medication. Students often navigate these trends without clear guidance on safety, health impacts, or community considerations. As campuses work to support student well‑being, it is essential to understand how emerging substances, co‑use patterns, and harm‑reduction approaches shape student decision-making. We encourage sessions that explore how campuses can respond proactively, promote health literacy, and provide compassionate, evidence-informed support.

• Cannabis etiquette & community impact
• High‑THC products & cannabis‑induced psychosis
• Supporting students who self‑medicate, including those using cannabis for medical reasons
• Campus impacts of substance co‑use and strategies to mitigate harm
• Zyn and non‑smokable nicotine products
• Vaping & environmental impact
• Psychedelic substances and trends
• Motivations, harm reduction, mental health considerations for psychedelics
• Emerging therapeutic conversations
• Co-occurring issues, such as gambling, sports-betting, and gaming

Policy, Compliance, and Institutional Responsibilities

Institutions of higher education must continuously adapt to evolving laws, regulations, and campus norms related to substance use and student safety. Shifts in federal scheduling, updates to smoke‑ and nicotine‑free policies, and hazing prevention requirements all shape campus environments and administrative responsibilities. These policy changes influence not only compliance, but also communication, student trust, and community well‑being. We encourage sessions that help campuses navigate these complexities with clarity, transparency, and strategic planning.

• Smoke‑ and nicotine‑free policy updates
• Federal scheduling changes and impacts on Higher Ed policy
• Hazing policy compliance
• Institutional communication, rollout strategies, and stakeholder alignment
• Risk‑reduction frameworks grounded in policy

Engaging Student Populations & Campus Culture Change

Students come to campus with varied experiences and levels of risk, with certain student groups facing unique pressures and vulnerabilities. Research consistently shows that when students feel connected and supported, they are less likely to experience substance‑related harm. As such, campuses must intentionally build environments that foster belonging while addressing the distinct needs of different student populations. We encourage sessions that explore targeted engagement strategies, inclusive programming, and approaches that shift campus culture toward safety and connection.

• High‑risk student populations, such as fraternities and sororities, athletics, marching band, and club sports
• Incorporating hazing prevention into AOD work
• Alcohol‑free engagement strategies
• Supporting grief, loss, and overdose‑related experiences
• Trauma‑informed prevention practices
• Cross-campus collaborations and partnerships
• Creative programming that drives belonging and reduces risk

Professional Growth, Skill-Building, and Field Development

Professionals working in collegiate prevention, intervention, and recovery often juggle expanding responsibilities, limited resources, and rapidly shifting trends. Whether new to the field or seasoned practitioners, staff benefit from community learning, shared tools, and opportunities to strengthen their skills. We encourage sessions that equip attendees with actionable strategies, practical frameworks, and insights that support long-term success in this profession.

• Practical use of the Strategic Prevention Framework
• Core competencies for collegiate prevention, intervention, and recovery
• Data collection, assessment, and evaluation
• Coalition building and partnership development
• Evidence-informed program design
• Leadership pathways/long‑term career sustainability
• Collegiate recovery program development and support
• Recruitment of under‑represented students
• Gaining administrative buy‑in
• Funding models and strategies for securing additional funding
• Leadership and management skills

Presenters are encouraged to include students as co-presenters where applicable.

The overall program will result in a diverse array of presenters and perspectives, including different levels of expertise, varying types of experience, and a variety of institutional and organizational types.

Applicants can expect a final decision by early June.