2026 National Meeting Schedule
*Schedule is tentative and subject to change* All times in Eastern Daylight Time.
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Opening Keynote
Presenter:
Doug Berman, J.D., The Ohio State University
- Douglas A. Berman is the Newton D. Baker-Baker & Hostetler Chair in Law and Executive Director of the Drug Enforcement and Policy Center at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. A nationally recognized expert in criminal law, sentencing policy, and drug policy reform, his work focuses on sentencing, clemency, marijuana law, and criminal justice reform. A graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Law School, Berman clerked for Judges Jon O. Newman and Guido Calabresi on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit before joining the faculty at Ohio State. He is the co-author of leading casebooks on sentencing and marijuana law and has published extensively on criminal justice issues. Professor Berman is the creator of the influential Sentencing Law and Policy blog and frequently advises policymakers, sentencing commissions, and public policy organizations. He has testified before Congress, is a member of the Council on Criminal Justice, and is regularly featured in national media discussing sentencing and drug policy reform. His contributions to teaching and scholarship have earned him Ohio State’s Distinguished Teaching Award and Distinguished Scholar Award.
Matt Lawrence, J.D., Emory University
- Matthew B. Lawrence is Professor of Law and Associate Dean of Faculty at Emory University School of Law. A nationally recognized scholar in health law, administrative law, and addiction regulation, his research examines how public laws and institutions shape health outcomes. Lawrence is a coauthor of The Law of American Health Care, has published in leading law and medical journals, and was named one of the top 100 legal scholars of 2025. He brings bipartisan federal experience from service with the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Management and Budget, DEA, and the U.S. House Budget Committee. Frequently featured in national media, he also received Emory’s 2023 Provost’s Distinguished Teaching Award for Excellence in Graduate and Professional Education.
Cat Packer, J.D., Drug Policy Alliance
- Cat Packer is a leading expert on cannabis law and policy who envisions cannabis policy reform as both an opportunity and responsibility to promote harm reduction and advance equity and social justice. Currently, Packer serves as Distinguished Cannabis Policy Practitioner in Residence at the Drug Enforcement and Policy Center, Vice Chair of the Cannabis Regulators of Color Coalition, Director of Drug Markets and Legal Regulation at the Drug Policy Alliance, and is a contributing author to the Thomas Reuters Cannabis Law Deskbook. Packer is recognized as the first person of color in the nation to lead a medical and adult-use cannabis regulatory program. From 2017 to 2022, Packer served as the first Executive Director of the City of Los Angeles Department of Cannabis Regulation where she led efforts to advise and implement cannabis business licensing and regulation in ‘the world’s largest cannabis market.’ Under her leadership, the City of Los Angeles licensed over 1200 cannabis businesses, collected over $320 million in cannabis tax revenue and became one of the first jurisdictions in the nation to establish programming designed to promote equitable ownership and employment opportunities in the cannabis industry. Prior to her role as a regulator, Packer worked for the Drug Policy Alliance where she organized cannabis-related legislative and public affairs strategies and partnerships at the state and local level. Packer is a proud alumna of The Ohio State University where she received a bachelor’s degree in political science, a master’s degree in public policy and management, a Juris Doctor and was named the 2020 Recipient of the Moritz College of Law Outstanding Recent Alumna Award.
Description:
The cannabis landscape continues to evolve as federal policymakers consider changes to cannabis scheduling and regulation. This panel will bring together legal, policy, prevention, and higher education experts to discuss the current state of cannabis policy, what federal rescheduling could mean for colleges and universities, and how institutions can prepare for a range of future scenarios. Through expert perspectives and audience discussion, participants will explore implications for student health, prevention programming, institutional compliance, and campus policy while gaining insight into emerging trends that may shape higher education practice in the years ahead.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe the current cannabis policy and regulatory landscape and identify key federal and state developments relevant to higher education.
- Assess the potential implications of federal cannabis rescheduling and related policy changes for campus prevention efforts, student health, institutional policies, and compliance responsibilities.
- Identify emerging trends, challenges, and practical strategies that can help higher education professionals effectively respond to a rapidly evolving cannabis environment.
Continuing Education Approval:
1:00 – 2:00 p.m. – Breakout Sessions
Presenter:
Whitney Platzer O’Regan, Ed.D., NASPA
- Whitney Platzer O’Regan, Ed.D., serves as the senior director of prevention and safety initiatives, under the Health, Safety & Well-being team at NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. Dr. O’Regan received her doctorate in educational leadership and policy from Peabody College at Vanderbilt University where her doctoral research focused on student sense of belonging and engagement through a public health lens. Dr. O’Regan has over twelve years of experience working to reduce high risk substance misuse on college campuses with functional area expertise in student affairs, policy, student conduct, crisis response, peer education, and health promotion.
Description:
As psychedelic use becomes more visible among college students, campuses must take a proactive, prevention-focused approach. This session provides an evidence-informed overview of psychedelic substances, student use patterns, and associated risks. Grounded in harm reduction, participants will learn practical strategies for prevention, early intervention, and student safety. Attendees will leave with tools to strengthen campus education, reduce risk, and support informed decision-making in a rapidly evolving landscape
Learning Objectives:
- Explain key risk and protective factors associated with student psychedelic use.
- Implement prevention and harm reduction strategies that reduce risk and support informed decision-making.
- Develop campus-based approaches for education, early intervention, and safe response to psychedelic-related incidents.
Continuing Education Approval:
Presenter:
Katie Dively, M.S., MCHES, Banyan Collaborative
- Katie Dively is a public health expert dedicated to fostering healthier communities. Katie leverages her Master’s degree in Health Promotion and Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES) certification to guide communities and organizations towards positive change. With over two decades of developing and implementing innovative solutions to complex health challenges, Katie has trained and mentored countless communities and organizations across the United States. Her expertise spans a wide range of health issues, from substance misuse and traffic safety culture to child maltreatment and problem gambling. Her passion for evidence-based prevention strategies ensures that her guidance is grounded in research and best practices.
Description:
Are you working hard but still feel stuck? This session introduces the Improving Outcomes Framework (IOF) as a practical lens for transforming prevention practice, for both new and seasoned professionals. Participants will explore four foundational mindsets that shift thinking from reactive symptom-fixing to systemic change; a four-step process that brings structure and shared language to complex work; and two critical skills, communication and courage, that make adaptive leadership possible. Through reflection activities and real-world examples, attendees will leave with a shared framework and concrete strategies to move from busy to effective.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify four foundational mindsets (Positive/Hopeful/Generative, Adaptive vs. Technical, System-Focused, and Socio-Behavioral) and explain how each mindset shifts prevention practice from reactive symptom-fixing toward proactive, systemic change.
- Apply a four-step process (Lay the Groundwork, Understand & Strategize, Move to Action, and Learn for Ongoing Success) to at least one current or recent professional challenge, identifying where their team’s efforts align with and diverge from a structured, adaptive approach.
- Articulate the role of interpersonal communication and courage as foundational professional skills in navigating adaptive challenges, and describe at least one concrete strategy for strengthening these skills within their own team or coalition context.
Continuing Education Approval:
Presenters:
Hannah Bobker, The University of Texas at Austin
- Hannah Bobker (she/her) received her MSSW from the Steve Hicks School of Social Work at UT Austin in 2023 with a concentration in program evaluation. Currently, she leads program evaluation efforts for three prevention offices at The University of Texas at Austin: SHIFT, The Longhorn Wellness Center, and The Center for Students in Recovery.
Abigail Garcia, The University of Texas at Austin
- Abigail Garcia (she/her) is a second year Master of Arts in Advertising graduate student with a background in psychology and health communications. As SHIFT’s Program Evaluation Graduate Assistant, she plays a key role in SHIFT’s exploration of game day culture by collecting, analyzing, and synthesizing qualitative data from conversations with UT Austin students.
Description:
Game day is one of the most cherished traditions of college life, yet it can also negatively reinforce norms related to high-risk substance use. For three consecutive years, SHIFT has engaged UT Austin students in conversations to identify opportunities to intervene at an environmental strategy level. This session will highlight key insights from this student‑centered qualitative work, including both strengths of game day culture and areas of concern. Participants will learn about a student‑led methodology for assessing substance use culture, explore how student voices can inform targeted interventions and strategic partnerships, and reflect on how to apply these insights to enhance the game day experience on their own campuses.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe a student-led, qualitative methodology for examining game day culture and substance use on college campuses.
- Identify key student-voiced attitudes, beliefs, motivations, and priorities related to game day traditions and substance use.
- Apply principles from SHIFT’s approach to understand and enhance the game day social experience on their own campuses.
Continuing Education Approval:
2:30 – 3:30 p.m. – Breakout Sessions
Presenters:
Jill Maurer, University of Virginia’s Gordie Center
- 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 program creation and educational product development, and leads the Gordie Center’s efforts to support and amplify the experiences of students and families impacted by hazing. Jill has a B.A. in psychology from UVA 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 HECAOD Training Advisory Committee.
Abigail Boyer, Stop Hazing
- Abby Boyer is Stop Hazing’s Policy & Prevention Coordinator. She has a decade+ of experience advancing campus safety, equity, & prevention nationwide, she has held executive roles at Clery Center, including Interim Executive Director, leading strategy, federal grants, & partnerships with higher education, law enforcement, & community organizations. She brings expertise in policy & prevention, helping advance the Stop Campus Hazing Act & leading the creation of We Don’t Haze, a nationally recognized program & award-winning film used by campuses to promote safer, more inclusive communities. She has a B.A. in Political Science from West Chester University & an M.S. in Organization Development & Leadership from Saint Joseph’s University.
Description:
This session explores the Stop Campus Hazing Act (SCHA) and its role in shaping safer campus environments through prevention, transparency, and accountability. StopHazing and Gordie Center staff will share guidance on national SCHA implementation, campus-wide hazing prevention, and enhancing transparency reports and prevention websites. They will also demonstrate how to use Hazing Info, a national database that serves both as are source and accountability tool, to support SCHA implementation and promote campus hazing prevention. Attendees will gain tools to support hazing prevention and response strategies for compliance with hazing requirements under the Clery Act.
Learning Objectives:
- Attendees will gain a high-level understanding of the federal Stop Campus Hazing Act as part of the Clery Act.
- Attendees will consider the implications for practice and identify campus partnerships necessary to implement the law.
- Attendees will explore resources and tools to support campus-wide implementation to be incompliance with the law.
Continuing Education Approval:
Presenters:
Kathleen Koviak, University of South Florida
- Kathleen Koviak is the Assistant Director for Substance Use Prevention within the Center for Student Well-Being at the University of South Florida. In her role, Kathleen oversees the programming and outreach related to alcohol and other drug prevention, works closely with campus and community partners to stay current on trends and develop collaborative initiatives and messaging, and supports students in developing strategies that enhance their well-being. Kathleen is a Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES) and holds an MPH, with a concentration in Health Behavior and Health Education, from the University of Michigan.
Danielle Stem, University of South Florida
- Danielle Stem is the Health Promotion Specialist for Alcohol and Other Drugs at the Center for Student Well-Being at the University of South Florida. She earned her bachelor and master’s degree from the University of Florida, majoring in Public Health and concentrating in Social and Behavioral Sciences. She assesses current data on student health behavior relating to alcohol and other drugs, creates programs and initiatives to improve health behaviors, and evaluates the impact of these programs on the lives of students. She is dedicated to positively
contributing to the Bulls community and walking with USF students in their journey to lifelong wellbeing.
Description:
With the growing trends in student cannabis use and product availability, campus substance use prevention professionals are challenged to create innovative programs that provide education on this topic to students in a fun and engaging way. Hear from one university on how they developed, implemented, and evaluated an initiative to promote healthy decision making and prevent harms related to cannabis use. Attendees will walk away from this session with ideas on adapting this flexible program to more intentionally address cannabis use and meet the needs of their student population
Learning Objectives:
- Identify changing trends in college student cannabis knowledge and use.
- Discuss engaging and impactful strategies that educate students on cannabis safety and promote healthy coping.
- Examine opportunities for developing collaborative programming that addresses cannabis use and connects students with appropriate resources.
Continuing Education Approval:
Presenters:
Mack Park, Association of Recovery in Higher Education
- Mack Park (they/them) is the Assistant Director for the Association of Recovery in Higher Education. They have a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from the University of Windsor and they are a Registered Social Worker through the OCSWSSW. Their B.A.[H] with Thesis was in Psychology, with minors in Sociology and Applied Information Technology. They also hold a 1-year certificate in Business Administration and an Advanced 3-year diploma in Web Development. Mack served as the Program Coordinator for the student recovery program at the University of Windsor for nearly 4 years, which is where they learned about collegiate recovery as a person with lived experience themselves.
Bret Frazier, Association of Recovery in Higher Education
- Bret Frazier brings over a decade of specialized experience in collegiate recovery leadership and strategic program development to this presentation. As the Technical Assistance and Outreach Manager at ARHE, Bret leads national efforts to provide tailored support and resource management for Collegiate Recovery Programs (CRPs) across the country. His expertise is rooted in over five years of direct campus leadership at Georgia Southern University’s Center for Addiction Recovery, where he served as both Program Coordinator and Interim Director, pioneering initiatives that bridge the gap between student support and institutional sustainability. With an MBA that informs his strategic approach to workforce development, Bret is skilled in navigating the complexities of “Recovery Capital” and the “Recovery Friendly Workplace” model. A person in long-term recovery himself, he combines lived experience with a high-level mastery of technical assistance, making him a compelling voice on how to build robust, bidirectional pipelines between community organizations and academic institutions.
Julia Curiel, Georgia Southern University
- Julia Curiel has over a decade of administration leadership experience and education to date, serving the community through administrative roles at leading organizations in which she has worked to develop pilot programs, and plan and manage large-scale projects, including nationally recognized art fairs, education workshops and community engagement programs. She is currently Recovery Coach / Program Coordinator (C.A.R.E.S. CPS-AD) for True Blue Recovery, Georgia Southern University’s collegiate recovery program at the Center for Addiction Recovery. Previously, she served as Recovery Coach / Program Coordinator at Freedom Through Recovery: Susan Ford Recovery Community Organization, and House Manager at Averitt Center for the Arts in Statesboro, GA. Having graduated with honors with a B.A. in Arts Administration from the University of Kentucky in 2006, she has worked for non-profits and the Commonwealth of Kentucky to produce conferences, festivals, galas, trade shows and other events with her capable and highly productive team members.
Description:
Despite 70.3% of adults with active SUD being employed, workplaces often view recovery as a liability. This session introduces the Bidirectional Pipeline, a framework positioning Collegiate Recovery Programs (CRPs) and Recovery Community Organizations (RCOs) as workforce hubs. We move beyond social service roles to reframe “Recovery Capital” – resilience and high EQ – as premium assets in broader professions. Participants will learn to support students in diverse fields through skill translation, AI readiness, and “medical leave” resume strategies. Finally, we provide a blueprint for the Recovery Friendly Workplace model, equipping professionals to train employers to value recovery identity as a professional advantage.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will be able to analyze the core components of Recovery Capital—specifically resilience, resourcefulness, and emotional intelligence—and translate these traits into high-value professional competencies relevant to business, technology, and the trades.
- Participants will be able to construct a framework for a “bidirectional pipeline” between Collegiate Recovery Programs (CRPs) and Recovery Community Organizations (RCOs) that utilizes community internships and service projects to enhance student workforce readiness.
- Participants will be able to develop a training strategy for external employers and supervisors that promotes “Recovery Friendly Workplace” practices, focusing on professional disclosure (e.g., the “medical leave” framework) and identifying recovery-informed recruitment partners
Continuing Education Approval:
