2025 Virtual National Meeting Schedule
*Schedule is tentative and subject to change* All times in Eastern Daylight Time.
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
11:00 – 12:00 p.m. – Virtual Learning Session
Presenters:
Dr. Ashley Helle, University of Missouri
- Dr. Ashley Helle is a licensed psychologist and research professor at the University of Missouri. She is the Director of Engagement for the Missouri Center for Addiction Research and Engagement. Dr. Helle’s research program focuses on understanding barriers faced by higher education professionals, and she uses implementation science approaches to advance support tools and programs for professionals. Dr. Helle also provides provider training on evidence-based practices such as motivational interviewing, brief motivational interventions, and planning for best practices in alcohol prevention.
Meekim Nguyen, University of Missouri
- Meekim Nguyen is a joint research specialist for the Addiction Science Dissemination and Implementation Lab and Missouri Partners in Prevention. They graduated from Mizzou with their BS in Psychology and minor in Sociology. Previously, Meekim was involved in the social and existential psychology research labs where they studied the complex emotion of hope. Now, they are studying to see how implementation science can help to close the research-to-practice gap in the context of helping those struggling with addiction.
Description:
This learning session will review recent and current research examining barriers and facilitators for selecting and implementing evidence-based alcohol and other drug (AOD) prevention on college campuses. Dr. Ashley Helle and Meekin Nguyen will share data from a statewide study of higher education professionals, a follow-up national sample, and an ongoing survey of higher education administrators, with a focus on barriers and areas for support. The presentation will include recommendations for higher education administrators and staff on identifying best practices for AOD prevention for their campuses and addressing common barriers experienced in the field.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe staff and leadership barriers to selecting and implementing AOD prevention on college campuses.
- Identify areas of support strategies and/or tools that can be used to address these barriers.
- Describe action-oriented recommendations for selecting and implementing evidence-based AOD programs.
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 in the state of Ohio. This training is approved for 1 Advanced Level CHES contact hour.
1:00 – 2:30 p.m. – Conference Welcome & Opening Keynote Livestream
Presenter:
Dr. Jason Kilmer, University of Washington
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.
3:00 – 3:45 p.m. – Roundtable Discussion
Facilitated by:
Cat Packer, JD, Drug Enforcement and Policy Center
Description:
Join peers from around the country to discuss hot topics impacting your daily work. This roundtable will explore the evolving cannabis landscape, including emerging policies, trends on college campuses, and potential shifts at the federal level. Bring your insights and questions for a dynamic conversation on how these changes may influence prevention and education efforts.
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
11:00 – 12:00 p.m. – Virtual Learning Session
Presenters:
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
Dr. Jessica Martin, University at Albany, SUNY
- Dr. Jessica L. Martin is a licensed psychologist, Associate Director of the Center for Behavioral Health Promotion and Applied Research in the School of Education at the University at Albany, and a Senior Research Associate for the Research Foundation for SUNY. Dr. Martin’s research expertise is in substance use and other health-risk behaviors among young adults and college students. Specifically, she investigates individual, psychosocial, cultural, and contextual risk and protective factors for substance use and co-occurring disorders and health-risk behaviors (e.g., disordered eating, risky sexual behavior) and health disparities as they relate to substance use. Dr. Martin has developed, implemented, managed, and evaluated brief intervention
Evan Ozmat University at Albany, SUNY
- Evan Ozmat, MS, is a counseling psychology doctoral student at UAlbany. His research focuses on using advanced statistical methods, AI, and machine learning to address health and mental health disparities, particularly for marginalized groups. At the Center for Behavioral Health Promotion and Applied Research, Evan develops AI systems for early depression detection and leads longitudinal data analysis projects to inform policy and practice. He designs health promotion campaigns, mentors students in AI modeling, and integrates technology to improve mental health care for diverse and underserved communities.
Description:
In 2002, the NIAAA released a landmark report outlining key elements of effective alcohol prevention and intervention programs. This session will examine 22 years of data collected across three of its model programs and identify what has worked and posed the greatest challenges to practice implementation over time. Effects of changing student demographics and campus and societal disruptions on successful program implementation will be identified, and the role of institutional commitment to program success will be highlighted.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify three key elements of effective evidence-based and evidence-informed alcohol prevention and intervention programs.
- List two challenges to the effective implementation of evidence-based and evidence-informed alcohol prevention and intervention programs.
- Articulate two strategies to address potential demographic, campus, and societal factors that may affect outcomes of evidence-based and evidence-informed alcohol prevention and intervention programs.
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 in the state of Ohio. This training is approved for 1 Advanced Level CHES contact hour.
1:30 – 2:45 p.m. – Afternoon Keynote Livestream
Presenters:
Reonda Washington, University of Wisconsin-Madison
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.
3:00 – 4:00 p.m. – Virtual Mini Sessions
Join peers from around the country to discuss hot topics impacting your daily work.
Thursday, October 23, 2025
12:00 – 1:30 p.m. – Afternoon Keynote Livestream
Presenter:
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.
2:00 – 3:00 p.m. – Virtual Learning Session & Conference Closing
Presenters:
Dr. Jessica Martin, University at Albany, SUNY
- Dr. Jessica L. Martin is a licensed psychologist, Associate Director of the Center for Behavioral Health Promotion and Applied Research in the School of Education at the University at Albany, and a Senior Research Associate for the Research Foundation for SUNY. Dr. Martin’s research expertise is in substance use and other health-risk behaviors among young adults and college students. Specifically, she investigates individual, psychosocial, cultural, and contextual risk and protective factors for substance use and co-occurring disorders and health-risk behaviors (e.g., disordered eating, risky sexual behavior) and health disparities as they relate to substance use. Dr. Martin has developed, implemented, managed, and evaluated brief intervention
Mikhaela McFarlin, University at Albany, SUNY
- Mikhaela McFarlin, M.S. (she/her) earned her master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from the University at Albany, SUNY in 2023 and is currently a doctoral candidate in the Counseling Psychology PhD program. She has served as a graduate research assistant in the Center for Behavioral Health and Applied Research, focusing on college student substance use, sexual health, and mental health. Mikhaela currently works as a prevention navigator for Project ACCESS (Achieving College Completion through Engaged Support Services), a federally funded initiative that screens students for risky substance use, problem gambling, and suicide risk to connect them with personalized resources that support academic and personal success.
Description:
This session will feature a live demonstration of the newly developed Gambling 101 workshop, designed by Project ACCESS, a federally funded research initiative aimed at enhancing the success, health, and quality of life of college students. Learn more about how one campus is addressing this growing issue among students.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe the current trends and prevalence of gambling and sports betting among college students.
- Identify key risk factors, signs of problem gambling, and the unique risks of sports betting compared to other forms of gambling
- Apply at least three protective behavioral strategies and prevention tools for reducing gambling-related harm.
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 the Gambling Endorsement in domain G1 – Knowledge of Gambling Disorder in the state of Ohio. This training is approved for 1 Entry Level CHES contact hour.
3:15 – 4:00 p.m. – Roundtable Discussion
Join peers from around the country to discuss hot topics impacting your daily work.
