2025 National Meeting In-Person Schedule
*Schedule is tentative and subject to change* All times in Eastern Daylight Time.
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
8:00 – 4:30 p.m. – Registration Open
9:00 – 11:30 a.m. – Pre-Conference Sessions
2120 – Ohio Stater’s Inc, Traditions
Presenters:
Jessica McDaniel, Kennesaw State University
- Jessica M. McDaniel serves as the Assistant Director for Kennesaw State University’s Center for Young Adult Addiction and Recovery (CYAAR). Jessica has a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a Master’s in American Studies. Her career began in recovery science research and now, as Assistant Director, Jessica supervises both the research efforts and recovery support services at CYAAR. Jessica has published a number of articles focused on substance use disorders (SUDs), recovery-informed theory, language and stigma surrounding SUDs, and treatment and community-based recovery support options.
Lindsay Montgomery, Kennesaw State University
- Lindsay Montgomery joined the Kennesaw State University Center for Young Adult Addiction and Recovery staff in 2016. Lindsay provides training to students, faculty, and staff, develops AOD curriculum, develops and facilitates workshops for mandated students, provides education and training in administering naloxone, participates in Alcohol and Other Drug research, and organizes community outreach for AOD education. Lindsay served for two years as a board member for the Association of Recovery in Higher Education and has served on a wide variety of boards and committees.
Description:
Alcohol and other drug (AOD) education on college campuses has always faced challenges. Among those challenges are clear definitions, concepts, and frameworks that support both effective programming and evaluation of programs. Recovery-informed theory (RIT) was developed to apply the experience of people in recovery to a litany of areas, including AOD education. This intensive session will first explore the history and development of RIT in order to provide participants with a foundation. Then, participants will engage in a process of applying recovery concepts to AOD work and re-evaluating current efforts. Finally, this session will discuss how this conceptual shift impacts the assessment and evaluation of AOD work on campus.
Learning Objectives:
- Analyze and differentiate key terminology used in Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) education.
- Critically evaluate the effectiveness of current Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) prevention and intervention efforts.
- Design and structure a comprehensive framework for effective Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) programming.
Continuing Education Approval: This training is approved for 2.5 CE clock hours for counselors, and/or social workers, and/or marriage and family therapists in the state of Ohio. This training is approved for 2.5 CE clock hours for substance use counselors in domain C1 – Substance Use Disorder and Recovery Knowledge in the state of Ohio. This training is approved for 2.5 Advanced Level CHES contact hour.
1103 – Great Hall Room 3
Presenters:
Charlene Schreder, University of Oklahoma Southwest Prevention Center
- Charlene Shreder is a Certified Prevention Specialist with over 20 years of experience leading substance misuse prevention efforts at the community and campus levels. As Regional Director at the University of Oklahoma’s Southwest Prevention Center, she oversees multiple state and federally funded initiatives, including SPF-PFS and SAMHSA Block Grant programs. Charlene specializes in coalition building, capacity development, and implementing data-driven strategies using the Strategic Prevention Framework. A dynamic trainer and technical assistance provider, she equips professionals with tools to create sustainable, evidence-based prevention initiatives. She holds a Master’s in Prevention Science and is a graduate of CADCA’s Coalition Academy
Bryce Riddle, University of Oklahoma Southwest Prevention Center
- Bryce Riddle is an APS Certified Prevention Specialist with over a decade of experience in substance use prevention. His journey began in high school with Noble SWAT (Students Working Against Tobacco), where his team earned the 2017 Youth Advocate of the Year Award from the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. He also served twice as a Youth Ambassador for the Campaign, advocating for stronger tobacco policies. Bryce now works with the OU Southwest Prevention Center, where he supports state and federal prevention initiatives. He partners with city and community coalitions to implement effective, evidence-based strategies that promote healthier communities through collaboration, advocacy, and youth engagement.
Demetrick Jones, University of Oklahoma Southwest Prevention Center
- Demetrick Jones has been involved in the field of prevention for over 18 years. His experience has been in the field of prevention providing training and technical assistance to communities, direct services and environmental-based population level prevention. He is currently at the Southwest Prevention Center, but has worked in both nonprofit and medical-based organizations. Demetrick has a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Texas College in Tyler, Texas and a Master of Business Administration Degree from LeTourneau University in Longview, Texas. Demetrick is currently employed as a Senior Community Outreach Prevention Coordinator for projects in Cleveland and McClain Counties focusing on opioids and other drug prevention. Demetrick is also an internationally certified prevention specialist since 2010. In 2016, Demetrick Jones received the Prevention Specialist of the year award! He has been a trainer for the SPF: Application for Prevention Success Training (SAPST) since 2009 and co-trains with Charlene Shreder for the state of Oklahoma.
Description:
Ready to take your campus prevention efforts to the next level? This interactive workshop breaks down the Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) into practical, actionable steps tailored for collegiate settings. Whether you’re new to prevention or need a refresher, you’ll gain tools to assess needs, build capacity, plan effective strategies, implement with confidence, and evaluate for impact. Through real-world examples, group activities, and expert insights, you’ll leave equipped to create sustainable, evidence-based prevention initiatives that make a real difference on your campus.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand and Apply the SPF Model Participants will be able to describe the five steps of the Strategic Prevention Framework—assessment, capacity, planning, implementation, and evaluation—and explain how the guiding principles of cultural competence and sustainability support effective campus-based prevention efforts.
- Develop Campus-Specific Strategies Participants will learn to identify campus needs and resources, engage diverse stakeholders, and create data-informed, evidence-based prevention plans that align with institutional priorities and address campus-specific challenges.
- Strengthen Prevention Practice through Evaluation and Collaboration Participants will gain practical skills in evaluating prevention activities, using data to inform continuous improvement, and collaborating with peers to share lessons learned and strengthen the impact and sustainability of prevention strategies on their campuses.
Session Timeline:
| 0:00–0:10 | Welcome & Introductions | Overview, expectations, icebreaker or quick poll |
| 0:10–0:30 | Overview of the SPF Model | Presentation on 5 SPF steps + guiding principles; group discussion |
| 0:30–0:50 | Step 1: Assessment | Case study; small-group activity on campus data sources |
| 0:50–1:10 | Step 2: Capacity | Stakeholder mapping; activity to identify engagement strategies |
| 1:10–1:25 | Break | Light refreshments and informal networking |
| 1:25–1:45 | Step 3: Planning | Real-world example; small-group work to draft a prevention goal |
| 1:45–2:00 |Step 4: Implementation | Discussion on common barriers and solutions; group brainstorm or role-play |
| 2:00–2:15 | Step 5: Evaluation | Practical evaluation tips; activity to identify one success measure |
| 2:15–2:30 | Sustainability, Wrap-Up, and Q&A | Recap SPF steps; discussion on sustaining efforts; participant action share-out|
Continuing Education Approval: This training is approved for 2.25 CE clock hours for counselors, and/or social workers, and/or marriage and family therapists in the state of Ohio. This training is approved for 2.25 CE clock hours for prevention professionals in domain P1 – Planning and Evaluation in the state of Ohio. This training is approved for 2.5 Advanced Level CHES contact hour.
11:30 – 12:45 p.m. – Lunch On Your Own
1:00 – 2:30 p.m. – Conference Welcome & Opening Keynote
1105 – Great Hall Room 3
Presenter:
Dr. Jason Kilmer, University of Washington
- Dr. Jason Kilmer is a Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Washington (UW) School of Medicine and an Adjunct Professor of Psychology at UW. Throughout his career, Jason has worked in both the student affairs world and the research world. In each professional position he has held, his responsibilities include research related to reducing harms associated with substance use by college students and directly serving and supporting students and colleagues in divisions of Students Affairs or Student Life. At UW’s Center for the Study of Health & Risk Behaviors (CSHRB), Jason serves as an investigator on several studies evaluating prevention and intervention efforts for alcohol, cannabis, and other drug use by college students. In addition to research and teaching, Jason has worked extensively with college students and campus professionals around alcohol and other drug prevention programming both at UW and on over 150 campuses nationwide. Jason has been project faculty for several international learning collaboratives, including Dartmouth’s National College Health Improvement Program and the International Town and Gown Association’s (ITGA’s) partnership with UW’s BASICS Innovations Group to support campuses in their implementation of Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students (BASICS). Jason was the 2014 recipient of the National Prevention Network’s Award of Excellence for outstanding contributions to the prevention field, was the 2024 recipient of The Montana Institute’s Science of the Positive National Leadership Award, and was the 2025 recipient of NASPA’s George D. Kuh Award for Outstanding Contribution to Literature and/or Research.
Description:
Many campuses use data they collect from students to inform prevention efforts, including content for use in social norms campaigns or personalized normative feedback. How do we know when our sample is “good enough?” What can we do to improve upon our samples? This keynote presentation will discuss lessons learned in data collection, including opportunities to boost reliability and validity. Attendees will consider opportunities to discuss scientific findings with students and with partners and collaborators on campus and explore “delivery systems” to support prevention efforts and impact student health and wellbeing.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will be able to identify at least one strategy to strengthen reliability and validity of data they collect.
- Participants will be able to identify factors affecting data that don’t change over time (or seemingly change in the wrong direction)
- Participants will be able to identify offices/partners on campus who can serve as “delivery systems” to support evidence-based strategies.
Continuing Education Approval: This training is approved for 1.5 CE clock hours for counselors, and/or social workers, and/or marriage and family therapists in the state of Ohio. This training is approved for 1.5 CE clock hours for prevention professionals in domain P1 – Planning and Evaluation in the state of Ohio. This training is approved for 1.5 Advanced Level CHES contact hour.
2:45 – 3:30 p.m. – Networking Neighborhood
Join peers from across the country in conversation and networking focused on how to apply knowledge and skills learned during the keynote to practice.
Red Star – 1103 – Great Hall Room 2
Blue Star – 2120 – Ohio Stater’s, Inc., Traditions
Gold Star – 2154 – Student Alumni Council Room
3:30 – 4:00 p.m. – Afternoon Snack Break with Exhibitors
Sponsored by the Association for Recovery in Higher Education
4:00 – 5:00 p.m. – Breakout Sessions
2120 – Ohio Stater’s, Inc. Traditions Room
Presenters:
Susie Bruce, Gordie Center, University of Virginia
- Susie Bruce, M.Ed., is Director of the University of Virginia’s Gordie Center, which works to end hazing and substance misuse among college and high school students nationwide through evidence-informed, student-tested resources. She is also Director of the APPLE Training Institutes: the leading national strategic training program for substance misuse prevention and health promotion for student-athletes and athletics departments
Kristen Morris, Gordie Center, University of Virginia
- Kristen Morris is the Gordie Center’s Robert Tipton Jr. Hazing Prevention & APPLE Training Institute Coordinator. Having served as the Gordie Center’s graduate assistant in 2024, Kristen’s full-time staff role involves implementing hazing prevention and education initiatives as well as coordinating our national substance misuse conference, the APPLE Training Institute, for NCAA Division II schools. She also co-advises the University of Virginia’s Student Athlete Mentor program. Kristen received her Bachelor of Science degree from James Madison University in 2022 with a major in Health Sciences. In December 2024, she earned a Master of Public Health degree from the University of Virginia School of Medicine. A native of Charlottesville, Kristen grew up spending time at UVA by visiting Grounds and attending basketball games. In her spare time, she likes to travel, spend time with friends and family, learn new hobbies (her current hobby is paint by numbers), and explore Charlottesville food spots.
Description:
Student-athletes spend significant time and energy to be the best in their sport but may not realize the ways alcohol and cannabis use can impact athletic performance and negate all those efforts. Through discussion, interactive audience response technology, and real-life examples, test your knowledge on student-athlete substance use norms and the performance impacts of alcohol and cannabis use, including on aerobic capacity, immune response and injury recovery. The program will include considerations for adapting social norms-based interventions to athletics populations to effectively reach student-athletes and help create healthy, winning team cultures on campus.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will discuss the ways alcohol and cannabis use can impact athletic performance.
- Participants will identify student-athlete alcohol and cannabis use norms.
- Participants will apply this information for substance misuse education for student-athletes.
Continuing Education Approval: This training is approved for 1 CE clock hours for counselors, and/or social workers, and/or marriage and family therapists in the state of Ohio. This training is approved for 1 CE clock hours for prevention professionals in domain P6 – Professional Growth and Responsibility and for substance use counselors in domain C1 – Substance Use Disorder and Recovery Knowledge in the state of Ohio. This training is approved for 1 Entry Level CHES contact hour.
2154 – Student Alumni Council Room
Presenters:
William Mynk, Kentucky State University
- William L. Mynk serves as Mental Health/Substance Misuse Counselor at Kentucky State University in Frankfort, Kentucky. He has served the students at Kentucky State since 2016 as a Counselor and the Interim Director of the Counseling Center for nearly two years. Previously he served as the Primary Therapist at Hillcrest Hall a residential treatment facility for adolescent males with substance use disorders for seven years. William is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University with a M.A. in Mental Health Counseling. He also has received extensive post graduate training from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine and the University of South Florida.
Description:
This presentation will focus on the implementation of Trauma Informed Cultures in campus recovery and treatment programs. Nearly half of individuals with substance use disorders in treatment also have experienced a significant traumatic event. Through creating Trauma Informed Cultures (TIC) within our campus recovery and treatment programs we can provide students with a more holistic level of care that addresses not only the substance use disorders, but also the underlying trauma they have experienced. This can be addressed through a four-step process of planning, assessment, implementation, and review in order to ensure that our students in treatment and recovery have a space to heal and recover.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify the role that trauma plays in the recovery process.
- Outline the basis of Trauma Informed Cultures (TIC) and the role such cultures play in an integrated holistic recovery/treatment model.
- Identify how campus treatment/recovery programs can apply TIC in to their SUD treatment and recovery programming.
Continuing Education Approval: This training is approved for 1 CE clock hours for counselors, and/or social workers, and/or marriage and family therapists in the state of Ohio. This training is approved for 1 CE clock hours for substance use counselors in domain C2 – Counseling Procedures and Strategies for SUD in the state of Ohio. This training is approved for 1 Entry Level CHES contact hour.
1103 – Great Hall Room 2
Presenter:
Elizabeth Branham, HECAOD
- Elizabeth Branham joins the Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Drug Misuse Prevention and Recovery as a Traffic Safety Specialist. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Public Health from Boise State University and her Master of Public Health from Boise State University where she served as a Health Educator in the Wellness Office managing substance misuse prevention programs and peer education. She is a Certified Health Education Specialist and is passionate about advocating for student-centered approaches to prevention.
Description:
Impaired road use remains an under-addressed yet critical issue among college students. This session explores how the Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Drug Misuse Prevention and Recovery identified impaired road use as a growing concern and responded through coalition-building, data collection, and innovative partnerships. Attendees will learn about the theoretical frameworks guiding this work, including Improvement Science and Networked Improvement Communities, and hear real-world examples of how campuses are tackling this issue. The session will also provide practical tools and strategies for initiating impaired road use prevention efforts on campus, including data collection and partner engagement. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of the issue and actionable steps to begin or enhance prevention efforts at their institution.
Learning Objectives:
- Recognize impaired road use as a key issue in college substance misuse prevention.
- Demonstrate coalition-building strategies and improvement frameworks used in campus prevention efforts.
- Identify actionable steps to begin addressing impaired driving on your campus.
Continuing Education Approval: This training is approved for 1 CE clock hours for counselors, and/or social workers, and/or marriage and family therapists in the state of Ohio. This training is approved for 1 CE clock hours for prevention professionals in domain P4 – Community Organization in the state of Ohio. This training is approved for 1 Advanced Level CHES contact hour.
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
7:45 – 8:30 a.m. – Conference Breakfast
Sponsored by Apportis
8:30 – 9:30 a.m. – Breakout Sessions
1103- Great Hall Room 2
Presenters:
Jill Maurer, Gordie Center, University of Virginia
- Jill Maurer is Assistant Director of the University of Virginia’s Gordie Center, which works to end hazing and substance misuse among college and high school students nationwide through evidence-informed, student-tested resources. She plays an integral role in Gordie Center program creation and educational product development. Jill has a B.A. in psychology from the University of Virginia and regularly speaks at national conferences, colleges, high schools, and community groups as an expert in hazing prevention, alcohol overdose prevention, peer education, and bystander intervention. She currently serves on the Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Drug Misuse Prevention and Recovery’s Training Advisory Committee.
Kristen Morris, Gordie Center, University of Virginia
- Kristen Morris is the Gordie Center’s Robert Tipton Jr. Hazing Prevention & APPLE Training Institute Coordinator. Having served as the Gordie Center’s graduate assistant in 2024, Kristen’s full-time staff role involves implementing hazing prevention and education initiatives as well as coordinating our national substance misuse conference, the APPLE Training Institute, for NCAA Division II schools. She also co-advises the University of Virginia’s Student Athlete Mentor program. Kristen received her Bachelor of Science degree from James Madison University in 2022 with a major in Health Sciences. In December 2024, she earned a Master of Public Health degree from the University of Virginia School of Medicine. A native of Charlottesville, Kristen grew up spending time at UVA by visiting Grounds and attending basketball games. In her spare time, she likes to travel, spend time with friends and family, learn new hobbies (her current hobby is paint by numbers), and explore Charlottesville food spots.
Description:
This interactive program reviews the research on the relationship between alcohol and hazing, models engaging ways to provide education to students on standard drink sizes through “bartender school,” and teaches how to identify the signs of alcohol overdose using “PUBS.” You’ll learn ways to engage students in alcohol and hazing education to increase student motivation to be active bystanders by monitoring impaired peers for signs of overdose, never leaving anyone alone to sleep it off, and intervening effectively when they are concerned about hazing.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will identify the 4 PUBS signs of alcohol overdose
- Participants will list the ways that alcohol use increases the risks of hazing
- Participants will discuss ways to incorporate hazing education into substance misuse prevention efforts
Continuing Education Approval: This training is approved for 1 CE clock hours for counselors, and/or social workers, and/or marriage and family therapists in the state of Ohio. This training is approved for 1 CE clock hours for prevention professionals in domain P2 – Prevention Education and Service Delivery and substance use counselors in domain TR1 – Renewal Only in the state of Ohio. This training is approved for 1 Entry Level CHES contact hour.
2120 – Ohio Staters, Inc., Traditions
Presenter:
Mike Broman, HECAOD, The Ohio State University
- Mike Broman is an Assistant Professor in The Ohio State University College of Social Work. His research stems from his post-MSW practice experience in substance use prevention and treatment and focuses on systemic barriers and facilitators to substance use treatment and recovery. During his doctoral studies, he began focusing on how to create safe campuses for college students in recovery. His dissertation research helped secure grant funding for a collegiate recovery program at Wayne State University. Dr. Broman and colleagues at Wayne State then conducted a needs assessment to develop that program. He is also collaborating at Ohio State to understand the needs of students in recovery there and elsewhere.
Description:
While the COVID-19 pandemic is over, there is still the potential for fast spread of other illness and other events (e.g., weather and climate disasters, political unrest) to impact campus operations with little forewarning. Research addressing how students in recovery persisted during the pandemic – an event rife with unpredictability, upheavals, and unrest – can help us prepare for these possibilities. This session will discuss findings and implications of a qualitative study that explored how students in recovery on a campus without a collegiate recovery program faced barriers to recovery and implemented strategies to protect their recovery during the pandemic.
Learning Objectives:
- Analyze the strategies used by students to maintain recovery during the pandemic, including their engagement with various recovery communities, and evaluate the effectiveness of these approaches in supporting sustained recovery.
- Identify barriers to recovery that students without access to a collegiate recovery program experienced during the pandemic.
- Articulate strategies to support students during future disruptive events, based on learning about how students thrived during the pandemic.
Continuing Education Approval: This training is approved for 1 CE clock hours for counselors, and/or social workers, and/or marriage and family therapists in the state of Ohio. This training is approved for 1 CE clock hours for substance use counselors in domain C7 – Relapse and Recovery Strategies in the state of Ohio. This training is approved for 1 Advanced Level CHES contact hour.
2154 – Student Alumni Council Room
Presenters:
Linda Richter, Partnership to End Addiction
- Linda Richter oversees prevention-oriented research projects. Linda’s work focuses on understanding the nature, scope, predictors and consequences of substance use and addiction, especially among young people. She leverages this research to help raise awareness among parents, educators, health professionals and policymakers about addiction science and best practices in substance use prevention and addiction care. Linda received her Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Brooklyn College of the City University of New York and her doctorate in social psychology from the University of Maryland.
Cori Hammond, Partnership to End Addiction
- Cori Hammond coordinates Partnership’s prevention programming. She currently works with partners in New Jersey on the NJ Student Support Services (NJ4S) project to bring evidence-based services and resources to public school students, caregivers, and school faculty. Prior to her work with the prevention team, Cori was a part of Partnership’s Science & Technology of Early Prevention (STEP) research team and worked part-time as a Helpline Specialist. Cori received her Bachelor of Science in Public Health degree from Tulane University and her Master o fPublic Health from New York University.
Pat Aussem, Partnership to End Addiction
- Pat Aussem, LPC, MAC is responsible for developing services and resources relevant to the families Partnership to End Addiction serves, distilling complex information from multiple sources into understandable and actionable materials for lay audiences. Pat holds a Master of Business Administration degree in finance, a master’s degree in counseling psychology, and is licensed in New York as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and in New Jersey as a Licensed Professional Counselor with a Master Addiction Counselor certification.
Description:
This session will provide higher education prevention professionals, faculty, and clinical staff with essential knowledge about the intersection of mental health and substance use in college students. It will highlight current trends in student mental health and substance use, associated academic and social risks, and practical strategies and key resources to support students during this critical life period. Participants will walk away with a better understanding of the bi-directional relationship between substance use and mental health issues, will be provided with supportive resources for the students and families they work with, as well as learn of opportunities for further training and professional development in this area.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify how the relationship between student substance use and mental health is bidirectional, how each increases the risk of the other, how common risk and protective factors predict the onset of each, and how mental health and substance use issues compromise students’ academic and social success.
- Identify the substance use and mental health trends most commonly affecting college students and their well-being and recognize warning signs of risky behaviors including misuse of stimulants, binge drinking, and sports gambling.
- Engage in effective, supportive conversations and guide students toward appropriate resources.
Continuing Education Approval: This training is approved for 1 CE clock hours for counselors, and/or social workers, and/or marriage and family therapists in the state of Ohio. This training is approved for 1 CE clock hours for prevention professionals in domain P6 – Professional Growth and Responsibility and substance use counselors in domain C1 – Substance Use Disorder and Recovery Knowledge in the state of Ohio. This training is approved for 1 Entry Level CHES contact hour.
9:45 – 10:45 a.m. – Breakout Sessions
1103 – Great Hall Room 2
Beyond the Driver’s Seat: A Comprehensive Strategy to Address Impaired Driving
Presenters:
Hope Edwards, Missouri Partners in Prevention
Molly Lindner, Missouri Partners in Prevention
Description:
Learn from Missouri Partner’s in Prevention about innovative impaired driving programming used across campuses in Missouri that address impaired driving at all levels. From students, to administrators, to parents and social media, prevention grows where you plant it.
Elevating Narcan Program from Passive to Active Engagement
Presenter:
Juan Abril, Florida State University
Description:
Learn how to transform a Narcan distribution program from passive availability to active student-centered engagement through outreach, education, and strategic campus partnerships.
2154 – Student Alumni Council Room
Presenters:
Linda Mizejewski, The Ohio State University
- Linda Mizejewski is a Professor of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at the Ohio State University, specializing in cinema studies and popular culture. She is the author of six monographs and the co-editor of two anthologies about women in the media. At OSU, Linda has been awarded won the Alumni Distinguished Teaching Award, the Harlan Hatcher Distinguished Faculty Award, and the Ratner Award for Distinguished Teaching. She was recently named a Distinguished Professor in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Elena Navin, The Ohio State University
- Elena Navin is a Psychology major with a minor in Child Abuse and Neglect at the Ohio State University. She plans to get a master’s degree in social work and pursue a career in child advocacy
Emma Richter, The Ohio State University
- Emma Richter is a third-year undergraduate student at the Ohio State University majoring in Biology with an interest in pursuing medicine. The feminist addiction course offered through the Ohio Prison Education Exchange Program influenced her career goals by revealing the problems of substance abuse in incarcerated populations.
Sam Risak, The Ohio State University
- Sam Risak is a PhD student studying narratives of substance use and masculinity at The Ohio State University. She has an MFA in Creative Writing from Chapman University and is the Creative Nonfiction Editor at Sweet: A Literary Confection. Her writing can be found in The Sun, Electric Literature, Writer’s Digest, The Pinch, Los Angeles Review of Books, Journal of American Folklore, and elsewhere.
Description:
This panel focuses on the Feminist Perspectives on Addiction course which was taught at the Ohio Reformatory for Women in Autumn 2024, enrolling students from The Ohio State University campus and from the ORW. The professor and the campus students will describe the pedagogy of the course and the experience of having the course at the prison, where a majority of the population has been impacted by substance abuse issues. Our teaching philosophy was guided by Black Feminist pedagogy, which emphasizes a student-centered classroom. This was also an interdisciplinary course taught in the humanities, illustrating how addiction studies can cross disciplinary lines to become accessible to a wider demographic of students.
Learning Objectives:
- Identifying the value of teaching addiction studies as an interdisciplinary course.
- Identifying the value of teaching addiction studies through the pedagogy of Black Feminism.
- Identifying the value of teaching college addiction courses at local prisons.
Continuing Education Approval: This training is approved for 1 CE clock hours for counselors, and/or social workers, and/or marriage and family therapists in the state of Ohio. This training is approved for 1 CE clock hours for prevention professionals in domain CC – Cultural Competency and for substance use counselors in domain TR1 – Renewal Only in the state of Ohio. This training is approved for 1 Entry Level CHES contact hour.
2120 – Ohio Stater’s, Inc., Traditions
Facilitator:
James Lange, Higher Education Center
Description:
What are your biggest challenges in preventing drug misuse on campus? What training and resources do you need to be successful? Join Rich Lucey, Senior Prevention Program Manager, for a roundtable discussion focused on your experiences in the field. This interactive session is your opportunity to help identify gaps in training and other resources needed by professionals working to prevent drug use and misuse among college students. Come ready to discuss current challenges, emerging drug trends, sustainability, cultural competence, and how federal and national organizations can better support your prevention efforts. Your voice is crucial in shaping the future of resources for our field.
Learning Objectives:
- Learn about current resources to support efforts to prevent drug use and misuse among college students.
- Identify gaps in training and other resources needed by professionals working to prevent drug use and misuse among college students.
- Identify specific topic areas for resources needed by professionals to prevent drug use and misuse among college students.
11:00 – 12:00 p.m. – Breakout Sessions
1103 – Great Hall Room 2
Presenters:
Danielle Wolfe, Indiana University Indianapolis
- Danielle Wolfe is a licensed social worker and serves as the AD of Substance Use Intervention Services in the Office of Health and Wellness Promotion at IU Indianapolis. In her role, she oversees the Collegiate Recovery Community, campus drug and alcohol sanction programs, all AOTD outreach and education programs, and Health and Wellness Coaching services. Some notable successes during her time in this role are hosting multiple successful IUIndianapolis Jaguar 5Ks, raising over $15000 for recovery scholarships, 500 students pledging to not drink and drive, and over 400 students pledging to not use nicotine. When not at work, Danielle enjoys spending time with her family, reading, listening to podcasts, and spending time in nature.
Thanzeem Razak, Indiana University Indianapolis
- Thanzeem serves as the graduate student employee focusing on alcohol and other drug education and prevention for the Office of Health and Wellness Promotion under Danielle and is a graduate student in Health Informatics at Indiana University. He has a background in dentistry and is a certified health and wellness coach. He oversees client management, university-wide asynchronous challenges, and events. He provides one-on-one wellness coaching, facilitates BASICS and Perspectives sessions on alcohol and other drugs for students, and delivers presentations on various health topics, including alcohol, substance use, Narcan, and healthy lifestyle choices. Thanzeem’s passions lie in helping people with chronic diseases through technology.
Description:
In today’s fast-paced academic environment, students often struggle to find time for wellness activities that require physical presence. Asynchronous wellness challenges, such as Sober October, offer a promising solution by allowing students to engage in month-long behavior change initiatives without the need to be at a specific place or time. This presentation will showcase innovative strategies to captivate the hard-to-reach student populations, like commuter and online students, making health improvement fun and accessible for everyone. Learn about these engagement opportunities with examples from 4 years of programming at IU Indianapolis, including student impact, incorporating student feedback, lessons learned, and tips to get started.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will be able to describe the effectiveness of asynchronous month-long challenges in promoting positive behavior changes among students.
- Participants will be able to identify and evaluate the methods used to execute and communicate asynchronous challenges, including the specific strategies that led to successful student engagement and feedback.
- Participants will be able to develop and plan their own asynchronous challenge tailored to their campus needs, incorporating best practices and lessons learned from the IU Indianapolis program.
Continuing Education Approval: This training is approved for 1 CE clock hours for counselors, and/or social workers, and/or marriage and family therapists in the state of Ohio. This training is approved for 1 CE clock hours for prevention professionals in domain P2 – Prevention Education and Service Delivery in the state of Ohio. This training is approved for 1 Entry Level CHES contact hour.
2120 – Ohio Stater’s, Inc., Traditions
Presenters:
Elliot Bystrak, University at Buffalo
- Elliott Bystrak (they/them) is the Alcohol & Other Drug Harm Reduction Program Coordinator for the University at Buffalo. Combining their peer and professional experience, they have worked in collegiate health and wellness for nine years. Outside of higher education, they managed a grant for the Pride Center of WNY, which fostered substance-free social opportunities for the LGBTQ+ community. They have a master’s in public health from the University at Buffalo, where they specialized in program planning and evaluation of community health interventions. They are thrilled to be attending their first in-person HECAOD event!
Jackson Mar, University at Buffalo
- Jackson Mar has dedicated his career to helping people write new chapters in their lives. His passion for supporting and advocating for friends, family, and other people he’s met along the way led him to a career in social work. In his professional career, Jackson started in clinical social work, spending a few years offering support, guidance, and a listening ear to children and young adults navigating challenging times. Now, working in higher education, a firm believer that every experience shapes us, Jackson helps students turn the page and find their voice in the story of life.
Description:
The College AIM regards BASICS as a highly effective, evidence-based strategy for addressing risky alcohol behavior. However, one of the major barriers to implementing BASICS is that it is designed for multiple, one-on-one sessions. This can be a challenge for a campus with over 30,000 students– and only two AOD professionals. This presentation will review what the AOD program borrowed from BASICS to create a unique three-tiered approach to addressing risky alcohol and other substance use behavior among students at the University at Buffalo. They will review the substance use landscape at UB, their program design, how the program’s effectiveness is measured, and its areas for growth.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify and compare tools available to AOD professionals for selecting and developing prevention programming, and apply appropriate tools to a given prevention scenario.
- Analyze the development, implementation, and evaluation process of the UB SAFER AOD risk reduction program, and assess its effectiveness in reducing substance-related risks.
- Design a tailored version of existing AOD prevention materials/resources to meet specific institutional needs, and justify the adaptations made based on contextual factors.
Continuing Education Approval: This training is approved for 1 CE clock hours for counselors, and/or social workers, and/or marriage and family therapists in the state of Ohio. This training is approved for 1 CE clock hours for prevention professionals in domain P2 – Prevention Education and Service Delivery and for substance use counselors in domain TR1 – Renewal Only in the state of Ohio. This training is approved for 1 Advanced Level CHES contact hour.
2154 – Student Alumni Council Room
Presenters:
William Mynk, Kentucky State University
- William L. Mynk serves as Mental Health/Substance Misuse Counselor at Kentucky State University in Frankfort, Kentucky. He has served the students at Kentucky State since 2016 as a Mental Health and Substance Misuse Counselor and the Interim Director of the University Counseling Center for early two years. Previously he served as the Primary Therapist at Hillcrest Hall a residential treatment facility for adolescent males with substance use disorders for seven years. William is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University with a Masters of Arts in Mental Health Counseling. Mr. Mynk has presented at a number of state, regional, and national conferences.
Description:
The dual traditions of substance (primarily alcohol) misuse and hazing remain prevalent on campuses despite efforts to address both issues at a campus, governmental, and cultural level. Drinking contributes to elevated risk for students in Greek Letter Organizations (GLO’s) as they report consuming higher quantities of alcohol, more frequent use of alcohol, and greater alcohol related consequences than non-Greek students. During newcomer inductions (pledging) hazing continues to remain problematic as 53% of all hazing rituals involve alcohol consumption. We aim to identify means that will address both hazing prevention and the moderation of substance use with GLO’s.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify why excessive alcohol use is often prevalent in fraternity and sorority cultures.
- Assess the reasons why hazing remains problematic within Greek Letter Organizations.
- Apply evidence based prevention interventions to lower the risk of excessive alcohol use during the newcomer induction process.
Continuing Education Approval: This training is approved for 1 CE clock hours for counselors, and/or social workers, and/or marriage and family therapists in the state of Ohio. This training is approved for 1 CE clock hours for prevention professionals in domain P6 – Professional Growth and Responsibility and for substance use counselors in domain TR1 – Renewal Only the state of Ohio. This training is approved for 1 Entry Level CHES contact hour.
12:00 – 1:30 p.m. – Lunch On Your Own
12:30 – 1:15 p.m. – ScreenU Listening Session
2120 – Ohio Stater’s, Inc. Traditions
HECAOD wants to hear from you about the features that you would like to see in ScreenU. Grab your
lunch and join colleagues to discuss improvement ideas to better serve your students. You do not
need to be a current ScreenU campus to attend.
1:30 – 2:45 p.m. – Afternoon Keynote
1105 – Great Hall Room 3
Presenters:
Reonda Washington, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Reonda Washington is a Health Equity Data Analyst at University of Wisconsin Madison. She has worked at University Health Services since July 2013and was dually appointed to the Office of Inclusion Education in August 2020. Reonda researches and cultivates data sources around the intersectionality of health issues impacting college students, helps campus partner build capacity to address the health issues, examining the relationships between health outcomes and campus climate, and assess campus diversity, equity, and inclusion education efforts for students. One of Reonda’s proudest achievements has been her Color of Drinking Study which examines the impact UW-Madison’s alcohol culture has on BIPOC and international students.
Description:
The “Color of Drinking” is an exploratory study utilizing students’ voice to examine the impacts of the UW-Madison’s alcohol culture on its student populations. Reonda Washington, at the University of Wisconsin – Madison, will share results from the latest iteration of the survey. Attendees will learn how the experiences of multiple drinking cultures plays into the flourishing, academics, belonging, health and wellbeing of students.
Learning Objectives:
- Analyze the role alcohol plays in the belonging and flourishing of students of color and international students at a predominantly white institution.
- Identify and summarize key strategies, as expressed by students, to improve both alcohol culture and inclusion/belonging climates on a large campus.
- Evaluate how the experiences of multiple drinking cultures influence student flourishing, academics, belonging, health, and wellbeing.
Continuing Education Approval: This training is approved for 1.25 CE clock hours for counselors, and/or social workers, and/or marriage and family therapists in the state of Ohio. This training is approved for 1.25 CE clock hours for prevention professionals in domain CC – Cultural Competency and for substance use counselors in domain TR1 – Renewal Only in the state of Ohio. This training is approved for 1.25 Entry Level CHES contact hour.
3:00 – 3:45 p.m. – Networking Neighborhood
Join peers from across the country in conversation and networking focused on how to apply knowledge and skills learned during the keynote to practice.
Red Dot – 1103 – Great Hall Room 2
Blue Dot – 2120 – Ohio Stater’s, Inc., Traditions
Green Dot- 2154 – Student Alumni Council Room
3:45 -4:00 p.m. – Afternoon Snack Break
Sponsored by NASPA
4:00 – 5:00 p.m. – Breakout Sessions
1103 – Great Hall Room 2
Presenters:
Susie Bruce, Gordie Center, University of Virginia
- Susie Bruce, M.Ed., is Director of the University of Virginia’s Gordie Center, which works to end hazing and substance misuse among college and high school students nationwide through evidence-informed, student-tested resources. She is also Director of the APPLE Training Institutes: the leading national strategic training program for substance misuse prevention and health promotion for student-athletes and athletics departments.
Jill Maurer, Gordie Center, University of Virginia
- Jill Maurer is Assistant Director of the University of Virginia’s Gordie Center, which works to end hazing and substance misuse among college and high school students nationwide through evidence-informed, student-tested resources. She plays an integral role in Gordie Center program creation and educational product development. Jill has a B.A. in psychology from the University of Virginia and regularly speaks at national conferences, colleges, high schools, and community groups as an expert in hazing prevention, alcohol overdose prevention, peer education, and bystander intervention. She currently serves on the Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Drug Misuse Prevention and Recovery’s Training Advisory Committee.
Description:
College student-athletes report the highest incidence of hazing of any college student population. Nearly half of high school students experience hazing, many on their athletic teams. This session will explore the unique challenges associated with athletics hazing prevention, including the underlying factors that contribute to its persistence. Through discussion, interactive audience response technology, and real-life examples, this session will explore the crucial role administrators, coaches, families, and student-athletes have in effectively preventing hazing in sports. By examining promising practices and evidence-based strategies, you’ll be prepared to build a comprehensive prevention plan to foster healthier, safer, and winning team environments.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will discuss unique aspects of athletics culture using the socio-ecological model.
- Participants will identify challenges and opportunities of hazing prevention work in athletics.
- Describe and evaluate promising strategies for preventing athletics hazing, and recommend appropriate approaches for implementation within a collegiate athletic context.
Continuing Education Approval: This training is approved for 1 CE clock hours for counselors, and/or social workers, and/or marriage and family therapists in the state of Ohio. This training is approved for 1 CE clock hours for prevention professionals in domain P6 – Professional Growth and Responsibility and for substance use counselors in domain TR1 – Renewal Only in the state of Ohio. This training is approved for 1 Advanced Level CHES contact hour.
2120 – Ohio Stater’s, inc. Traditions
Presenters:
Annaleise Fisher, Ohio Program for Campus Safety and Mental Health, Northeast Ohio Medical University
Claire Bowen-Kunkler, Student Intern
- Annaleise Fisher graduated with a Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Education Specialist in Counseling degrees from Kent State University. I am also a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with a supervisory designation in the state of Ohio. Additionally, I am currently serving as the Secretary for the Ohio Counseling Association (OCA). Much of my professional experience includes direct clinical service, teaching, program development, and other forms of leadership on college campuses and in private practice. I have experience providing suicide intervention with disenfranchised populations as well as developing suicide prevention trainings for a variety of healthcare professionals
Description:
This interactive session will explore on how to create and sustain student advisory committees that that foster leadership, authentic engagement, and meaningful student participation. Session participants will learn the impact and importance of elevating the student voice, as well as strategies to ensure their effectiveness. Through real-word and practical examples, this presentation will provide collaborative discussions, and practical planning exercises as a roadmap for implementing or improving student advisories in their campus-communities.
Learning Objectives:
- Discuss the strategies of how to successfully recruit, engage, and establish a collegiate advisory.
- Identify the impact and importance of bringing and elevating the student voice to the table.
- Explain the importance of inclusiveness of student perspectives and experiences in wellness programming.
Continuing Education Approval: Social workers completing this training will receive 1 general continuing education clock hours under ACE. This training is approved for 1 CE clock hours for counselors, and/or social workers, and/or marriage and family therapists in the state of Ohio. This training is approved for 1 CE clock hours for prevention professionals in domain P4 – Community Organization in the state of Ohio. This training is approved for 1 Advanced Level CHES contact hour.
2154 – Student Alumni Council Room
Presenter:
Warren Martin, NASPA
- Warren Martin, Assistant Director of Peer Education Initiatives and Training Programs at NASPA, is a dedicated advocate for the transformative potential of peer education. Drawing from his almost decade of peer education experience, Warren is committed to empowering students to become leaders and change-makers within their campus communities. His work at NASPA focuses on positioning peer education as a strategic tool for student leadership development and the promotion of health, safety, and well-being.
Description:
Peer education is a powerful tool for enhancing student development, wellness, and campus-wide prevention efforts. This session explores the latest research on peer education’s impact, including findings from the National Peer Education Study (NPES), and its alignment with student affairs competencies and prevention models. Participants will discover innovative strategies to integrate peer education into their campus initiatives while also enhancing professional development opportunities for both students and advisors. Walk away with research-backed insights and practical tools to strengthen your peer education programs and elevate student success.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify how peer education supports student development and contributes to student wellness
- Analyze findings from the National Peer Education Study (NPES) to connect peer education to student affairs competencies or prevention models
- Apply a strategy for integrating peer education into a campus initiative to support student or advisor professional development.
Continuing Education Approval: This training is approved for 1 CE clock hours for counselors, and/or social workers, and/or marriage and family therapists in the state of Ohio. This training is approved for 1 CE clock hours for prevention professionals in domain P2 – Prevention Education and Service Delivery in the state of Ohio. This training is approved for 1 Entry Level CHES contact hour.
Thursday, October 23, 2025
8:30 – 9:30 a.m. – Breakout Sessions
3156 – Barbie Tootle Room
Presenters:
Jude Quaddumi, The University of Texas at Austin
- Jude Quaddumi (she/her) is the Outreach Specialist for SHIFT at the University of Texas at Austin. She works on outreach and engagement for the UTstudent population and leads the SHIFT Makers program and SHIFT’s Student Advisory Board. Jude graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Public Health in 2023. Her own experiences with the culture of substance use at UT and passion for destigmatizing the dialogue around substance use and its intersection with well-being are what led her to work for SHIFT.
Description:
University campuses often lack spaces for students to socialize without the expectation of alcohol consumption. In response, SHIFT at The University of Texas at Austin introduced the SHIFT Makers in 2022. This team of students serves zero-proof cocktails at campus events, fostering community and conversation. Trained in mixology, customer service, and leadership in partnership with Sans Bar of Austin, the SHIFT Makers aim to create inclusive social experiences free from pressure to drink alcohol. With over 10,000 drinks served at 150+ events, the initiative has shown its potential for shifting campus culture. This session will share insights into the program’s impact on campus culture, along with practical strategies for implementation and evaluation.
Learning Objectives:
- Explore ways to utilize campus and community partners to leverage substance use prevention efforts and enhance the student social experience.
- Explain the importance of offering alternatives to alcohol and other substances at social events, and propose strategies for incorporating substance-free options into campus programming.
- Examine evaluation and assessment methods to capture the impact of a student-led zero proof bartending service on campus culture.
Continuing Education Approval: This training is approved for 1 CE clock hours for counselors, and/or social workers, and/or marriage and family therapists in the state of Ohio. This training is approved for 1 CE clock hours for prevention professionals in domain P5 – Public Policy and Environmental Change in the state of Ohio. This training is approved for 1 Entry Level CHES contact hour.
2154 – Student Alumni Council Room
Presenter:
Dr. Dolores Cimini, University at Albany, SUNY
- Dr. M. Dolores Cimini is a New York State licensed psychologist and Director of the Center for Behavioral Health Promotion and Applied Research at the University at Albany, SUNY. She has also served as the Director of the nationally recognized Middle Earth Peer Assistance Program. Dr. Cimini has led comprehensive efforts in research-to-practice translation at the University at Albany for the past 30 years with over $15 Million in federal, state, and foundation grants. The screening and brief intervention program developed by Dr. Cimini, the STEPS Comprehensive Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention Program, has earned 13 national awards for innovation in behavioral health care. Dr. Cimini has co-edited two books, including a volume focus
Description:
Research indicates that peer educators, when well-trained and supervised, can deliver evidence-based brief motivational interventions just as well, if not better, than trained professionals. This workshop will explore a number of innovative peer education training models derived from evidence-based brief motivational interventions, including peer wellness coaching and peer educator-delivered Screening and Brief Intervention (SBI) addressing alcohol and other drug misuse and related risk behaviors. Challenges and potential risks associated with engaging peers in delivering evidence-based brief interventions will be identified and explored.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify two evidence-based brief motivational intervention practices in which peer educator scan be trained and supervised.
- Describe two methods of peer education training focused on the effective delivery of evidence-based brief motivational interventions.
- Identify two benefits and challenges associated with training peer educators to deliver evidence-based brief motivational intervention
Continuing Education Approval: This training is approved for 1 CE clock hours for counselors, and/or social workers, and/or marriage and family therapists in the state of Ohio. This training is approved for 1 CE clock hours for prevention professionals in domain P2 – Prevention Education and Service Delivery in the state of Ohio. This training is approved for 1 Advanced Level CHES contact hour.
3150 – Tanya Rutner Hartman Room
Presenters:
Nick Poling, Boise State University
- Nick Poling is the Fraternity and Sorority Life Program Director at Boise State University, where his work includes chapter advising, risk management, conduct response, and oversight of community initiatives, events, and assessment. Nick received his Master’s in Student Affairs from Boston College and is currently pursuing his doctorate in Higher Education Administration from Idaho State University.
Logan Davis, HECAOD
- Logan Davis is the Outreach and Engagement Manager at the Higher Education Center (HECAOD). Prior to this role Logan worked in fraternity and sorority life and has experience working on a campus & with an (inter)national organization. In his current role Logan has been able to learn more about recovery & has been able to blend the new knowledge with previous experience from working with fraternities & sororities. Through this Logan has made a commitment to make talking about Recovery a normal part of the fraternity and sorority experience. Through these experiences he has begun to look how this can translate to other traditionally at-risk groups on campus. He has become a trusted & go-to source on prevention in the fraternity and sorority space.
Description:
This session will discuss the importance of assessing fraternity and sorority alcohol use and how to creatively and successfully implement data instruments with this population of students. Using a case study of assessment-success at Boise State University, presenters will focus on the importance of understanding alcohol use trends among fraternity and sorority new members while sharing three-years of longitudinal data collected by both web-based screening tool ScreenU and the Dyad Strategies campus assessment. Through an exploration of this data, attendees will gain a better understanding of how to successfully assess fraternity and sorority members and culture, while subsequently using this exploration to inform prevention practice.
Learning Objectives:
- Attendees will be able to identify creative ways to facilitate data collection, with a low impact to staff time and resources.
- Attendees will be able to explain the importance of collecting data on fraternity and sorority alcohol use, at an early stage of a member’s time in their organization.
- Attendees will be able to discuss how screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment can be used in collegiate settings with high-risk populations.
Continuing Education Approval: This training is approved for 1 CE clock hours for counselors, and/or social workers, and/or marriage and family therapists in the state of Ohio. This training is approved for 1 CE clock hours for prevention professionals in domain P1 – Planning and Evaluation and substance use counselors in domain TR1 – Renewal Only in the state of Ohio. This training is approved for 1 Entry Level CHES contact hour.
9:45 – 10:30 a.m. – Networking Neighborhood
Join peers from across the country in conversation and networking focused on how to apply knowledge and skills learned during the keynote to practice.
Yellow Dot – 3156 – Barbie Tootle Room
Pink Dot- 2154 – Student Alumni Council Room
10:45 – 11:45 a.m. – Breakout Sessions
2154 – Student Alumni Council Room
Presenter:
Shannon Paternostro, Wesleyan University
- Shannon Perry is the Alcohol and Other Drug Specialist at Wesleyan University. She earned a master of science in counselor education, with a specialization in student development in higher education from Central Connecticut State University. Prior to her time at Wesleyan, she completed graduate internship experiences in accessibility services and wellness education at Eastern Connecticut State University. In addition to her professional roles, Shannon volunteers as a Collegiate Province Director for Alpha Delta Pi Sorority, overseeing collegiate chapter operations at Western Connecticut State University, University of Rhode Island, and Wagner College.
Description:
How do college and university administrators mitigate potential risks of on-campus parties, while empowering students to make responsible decisions? This session will share the successes and challenges of Wesleyan University’s Party Safer Program- a comprehensive approach to harm reduction for social hosting. In this hour-long session, attendees will learn how to apply Party Safer Program best practices at their own institutions, identify the roles and responsibilities of key campus stakeholders, and discuss the challenges and successes of enforcing party registration policies on residential campuses.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will be able to apply best practices from the Wesleyan University Party Safer Program to their institutional contexts, identifying opportunities for collaboration, policy development, and student engagement in harm reduction efforts.
- Participants will be able to identify the roles and responsibilities of key campus stakeholders in implementing and sustaining a harm reduction program for social gatherings.
- Participants will be able to discuss the challenges and successes of enforcing party registration policies and alcohol harm reduction strategies in a residential campus setting.
Continuing Education Approval: This training is approved for 1 CE clock hours for counselors, and/or social workers, and/or marriage and family therapists in the state of Ohio. This training is approved for 1 CE clock hours for substance use counselors in domain C7 – Relapse and Recovery Strategies in the state of Ohio. This training is approved for 1 Entry Level CHES contact hour.
3150 – Tanya Rutner Hartman Room
Presenters:
Margaret A. Thorwart, Millersville University
- Margo Thorwart, is the Director of the Center for Health Education and Promotion at Millersville University. In her current role, Margo leads initiatives to define and promote wellness across the university, conducting research on student health behaviors to inform evidence-based campaigns. She manages professional and student staff, develops educational content, and has secured grants from agencies like the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board and the “It’s On Us” campaign to support wellness outreach and harm reduction. A certified wellness coach through Wellcoaches, Margo emphasizes cultural humility and inclusivity in her work.
Donna George, PASSHE
- Donna George has served as the AOD Coalition Coordinator for the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) since 2014. She previously worked as the Prevention Director at California University of Pennsylvania and with Saint Vincent Prevention Projects. Donna holds an M.S. in Counseling and Higher Education from Indiana University and is a certified Wellcoaches Health and Well-being Coach. She provides BASICS and CASICS trainings statewide and brings over 30 years of experience in AOD and violence prevention. Donna is a passionate advocate for evidence-based, compassionate strategies that transform individuals and communities.
Description:
Discover how Wellness Coaching is transforming student well-being across Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education. Rooted in evidence-based practices like Positive Psychology and Motivational Interviewing, this session will explore how coaching empowers students to achieve goals in stress, sleep, substance use, and especially social connection. Learn how this scalable model supports equity, cultural humility, and sustainable change through student-centered conversations and campus collaboration.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify and apply foundational theories and evidence-informed practices—including Positive Psychology, Self-Determination Theory, and Motivational Interviewing—that support Wellness Coaching as a student-centered approach to fostering behavior change and well-being.
- Evaluate the impact of Wellness Coaching on student outcomes related to stress, sleep, substance use, and particularly social connection, using preliminary PASSHE data and student feedback.
- Design strategies to implement culturally responsive and sustainable Wellness Coaching programs on college campuses, with a focus on promoting social connectedness, cultural humility, and equity in access to support services.
Continuing Education Approval: This training is approved for 1 CE clock hours for counselors, and/or social workers, and/or marriage and family therapists in the state of Ohio. This training is approved for 1 CE clock hours for prevention professionals in domain P6 – Professional Growth and Responsibility in the state of Ohio. This training is approved for 1 Advanced Level CHES contact hour.
3156 – Barbie Tootle Room
Presenter:
Emma Spalding, NASPA
- Emma Spalding serves as the Associate Director of Well-being Initiatives and Statewide Coalition Projects at NASPA- Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. She has been with NASPA for 6 years and in her role oversees the Colorado Coalition of Campus Alcohol and Drug Educators (CADE) and Healthy Colleges Montana (HCM). Additionally, she works on the Inter-association Well-being Collaborative (IWC) representing NASPA alongside 20 other higher education associations. Born and raised in Colorado, she still calls Denver home with her partner and pup.
Description:
By choosing evidence-based prevention programs – administrators are investing in upstream prevention efforts & taking a universal prevention approach. The content, programs, and case studies shared as resources in this presentation will explore different modes of prevention that works to increase the use of protective factors and address the social determinants of health, i.e., promote social support, promote community engagement, increase health literacy skills, and provide opportunities for quality education on positive health and well-being.
Learning Objectives:
- Define evidence-based prevention and distinguish it from other types of prevention approaches using specific examples.
- Describe the components of the Strategic Prevention Framework and apply them to guide strategic planning for a comprehensive prevention program.
- Explain the role of CollegeAIM in assessing and evaluating current prevention strategies, and use it to recommend evidence-based strategies for implementation
Continuing Education Approval: This training is approved for 1 CE clock hours for counselors, and/or social workers, and/or marriage and family therapists in the state of Ohio. This training is approved for 1 CE clock hours for prevention professionals in domain P6 – Professional Growth and Responsibility in the state of Ohio. This training is approved for 1 Entry Level CHES contact hour
12:00 – 1:30 p.m. – Luncheon & Closing Keynote
3154 – Cartoon Room
Presenters:
Dr. Jon Gayer, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Derek Longmeier, Problem Gambling Network of Ohio
Dr. Michelle Malkin, East Carolina University
Description:
As sports betting and online gambling become increasingly accessible, college campuses face new challenges in addressing problem gambling among students. This session will explore the unique risks and behaviors associated with collegiate gambling, its impact on student well-being, and the broader campus environment. Participants will gain insights into current trends and learn practical strategies for prevention, early intervention, and support. Join us to better understand how campuses can proactively respond to this growing concern.
Continuing Education Approval: This training is approved for 1.25 Entry Level CHES contact hour.
