2024 Recovery Conference

8:30AM - 9:00AM

Registration & Light Breakfast (MV Hall Foyer)

9:00AM 

Welcome & Opening Remarks (MV Hall Teletorium)

9:10AM - 10:00AM

Morning Keynote Speaker (1 CE) (MV Hall Teletorium)

• Kristen Harper, M.Ed., Public Health Advisor, Office Of Recovery, SAMHSA

10:10AM - 11:00AM

BREAKOUT SESSION #1 (1 CE)

Counseling Center Outreach as a Tool for Prevention in Collegiate Recovery (MV 103)

• Stephanie Shiffler, Ph.D., Staff Psychologist/AOD Specialist, Drexel University
• Elena Cucco, Ph.D., Outreach Coordinator, Staff Psychologist, Drexel University

Ethics and the Collegiate Recovery Professional (MV105)

• Jessica Estok, LCDP CADC CCTP MA, Assistant Director, Collegiate Recovery Support, University of Delaware 

Changing Minds - Kristen's Story (MV 107)

• Kristen Harootunian, Mental Health Advocate

Collegiate Recovery in the Classroom (MV 111)

• Keith Murphy, LPC, LCADC, Director ADAP Rutgers University
• John Rithianos, CPRS, Collegiate Recovery Specialist, Rutgers University
• Lea P. Stewart, Ph.D, Professor, Rutgers University
• Marley Doring, Program Coordinator, Center for Communication and Health Issues, Rutgers University

11:10AM - 12:00PM

BREAKOUT SESSION #2 (1 CE)

Creating opportunities for Connection: Expanding Student Support (MV 103)

• Dr. Kristine DeJesus, Students Recover 
• Jamie Hutchison, LSW, Students Recover

“Aren’t We Here to Talk About My Grades?”: Integrating AOD Prevention and Recovery into an Academic Support Model (MV 107)

• Kristen Miranda, Academic Support Coordinator, SOAR Navigator, Rowan University 
• Drew Davenport, M.Ed., Academic Support Coordinator, SOAR Navigator, Rowan University

Harm Reduction Drug Trends Overdose Reversal (MV 111)

• Melanie Beddis, Director of Programs, Savage Sisters Recovery

12:10PM - 1:00PM

Networking Lunch (MV Hall Foyer & MV 123)

1:10PM - 2:00PM

Afternoon Keynote Speaker (1 CE) (MV Hall Teletorium)

A Conversation with Kristina Canfield, Executive Director, Association Of Recovery In Higher Education (ARHE)

• Moderated by Keith Murphy, Rutgers University

2:10PM - 3:00PM

BREAKOUT SESSION #3 (1 CE)

An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy/Training Approach to Supporting Students Across the Spectrum of Recovery (MV 103)

• Stephanie Shiffler, Ph.D., Staff Psychologist/AOD Specialist, Drexel University
• Dr. Shamell Brandon, Lehigh University Counseling and Psychological Services

Crafting a Classroom Culture of Recovery Allyship (MV 105)

• Zach Runge, M.A., Program Specialist & Adjunct Professor at Towson University

The Co-occurrence of Autism Spectrum Disorder and Substance Use Disorder (MV 107)

• Alli MacNamara, MS, NCC, LPC, Associate Director of College Support, Kinney Center for Autism, Saint Joseph’s University
• Allie Hushen, Assistant Director of College Support, Kinney Center, Saint Joseph’s University

3:10PM - 4:00PM

BREAKOUT SESSION #4 (1 CE)

Growing the Collegiate Recovery Movement in Community Colleges: Listening, Adapting, and Building Capital (MV 103)

• Eric Scott Klein, LSW, Old Dominion University

Confronting Stigma: Enhancing Mental Health & Recovery Services in Campus Life (MV 105)

• Hope McMahan, MSS, Senior Prevention Specialist, Prevention Education Solutions

Empowering Collegiate Recovery: Nurturing Student Well-being and Success (MV 107)

• Eric Rodriguez, MSW, LSW, CAADC, Education Director, Caron Treatment Centers

4:00PM - 4:30PM

Conference Closing Session (MV Teletorium)   

• Presentation of Student Scholarship Award

All Day

POSTER SESSION (MV Foyer)

Perceptions of Stigmatizing Language: A Comparative Study on Substance Use Disorder Terminology Among Two Campuses in a University

• Huizhen Ni (She/Her), PharmD Student, Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, Saint Joseph's University
• Gia Ho (She/Her), PharmD Student, Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, Saint Joseph's University

BREAKOUT SESSION #1, 10:10AM - 11:00AM (1 CE)

Counseling Center Outreach as a Tool for Prevention in Collegiate Recovery 

LOCATION: MV 103

Facilitated by: Stephanie Shiffler, Ph.D., Staff Psychologist/AOD Specialist, Drexel University

Elena Cucco, Ph.D., Outreach Coordinator, Staff Psychologist, Drexel University

Description: As University Counseling Centers (UCCs) have historically struggled to meet the needs of students with substance-related concerns, Collegiate Recovery Programs (CRPs) fill a crucial gap, offering support to students who have decided to pursue abstinence and want to join an affirming community (Terrion, 2013). While the advent of CRPs has been transformative for this segment of the population, other students, such as those seeking alternative recovery pathways or individuals with marginalized identities, have reported feeling excluded from these groups (Kollath-Cattano et al., 2018, Vázquez et al., 2022). Outreach can be a powerful opportunity for UCCs and CRPs to partner in making contact with these students (Banks, 2020). In this session, we hope to share about the ways we are pursuing this at Drexel University and invite other schools, especially those without designated AOD offices on campus, to share their experiences.

Ethics and the Collegiate Recovery Professional 

LOCATION: MV105

Facilitated by: Jessica Estok, LCDP CADC CCTP MA, Assistant Director, Collegiate Recovery Support, University of Delaware 

Description:  With the release of Ethical Considerations for the Collegiate Recovery Professional in 2023, this presentation will take a look at understanding and applying ARHE's Ethical Principles for professionals in a collegiate recovery program. This presentation will be discussion based and an opportunity to discuss common ethical dilemmas and ways in which we resolve them.

Changing Minds - Kristen's Story 

LOCATION: MV 107

Facilitated by: Kristen Harootunian, Mental Health Advocate

Description:  As a child, Kristen experienced significant trauma, including her mother attempting and completing suicide. When she reached her preteen years, Kristen didn’t know how to manage what she was feeling and turned to alcohol, drugs, and self-harm to mask the pain that she so desperately wanted to keep locked away. The alternative was facing the issues related to her childhood trauma and she did not know how to do that. As a result of this she suffered with debilitating depression and anxiety that affected her in her everyday life. She continued these negative coping skills, including negative self-talk, which drove her down to a very dark place. Quickly, she arrived to a bottom she thought she would never leave. After going to treatment, where she learned how to replace her negative coping skills with positive ones, she worked hard to incorporate those habits into her life. Kristen attended a recovery high school to finish her education and went on to college. She has many therapy experiences that have proven to be wildly successful, and attends support groups regularly to maintain her ongoing sobriety and abstinence from negative coping skills. Kristen, being a young person in recovery, proves it’s never too late or too early to get the help you need. She has spoken on panels and at board meetings to help educate others in an effective manner break the stigma around mental health and substance use disorder.

Collegiate Recovery in the Classroom 

LOCATION: MV 111

Facilitated by: Keith Murphy, LPC, LCADC, Director ADAP Rutgers University, John Rithianos, CPRS, Collegiate Recovery Specialist, Rutgers University, Lea P. Stewart, Ph.D, Professor, Rutgers University, Marley Doring, Program Coordinator, Center for Communication and Health Issues, Rutgers University

Description: Collegiate Recovery in The Classroom is an unconventional look at how the college classroom can be the best place to reduce stigma connected to substance use and promote collegiate recovery.

BREAKOUT SESSION #2, 11:10AM - 12:00PM (1 CE)

Creating opportunities for Connection: Expanding Student Support 

LOCATION: MV 103

Facilitated by: Dr. Kristine DeJesus, Students Recover 

Jamie Hutchison, LSW, Students Recover

Description: Session will discuss how collegiate recovery communities can expand access to mental health and recovery support for current students to connect with other students across North America in developing a broader network of support, focusing on expanding culturally relevant and responsive programs for students that are BIPOC, Queer and disabled.

“Aren’t We Here to Talk About My Grades?”: Integrating AOD Prevention and Recovery into an Academic Support Model 

LOCATION: MV 107

Facilitated by: Kristen Miranda, Academic Support Coordinator, SOAR Navigator, Rowan University and Drew Davenport, M.Ed., Academic Support Coordinator, SOAR Navigator, Rowan University

Description:  We will explore the implementation of programming related to alcohol and other drugs within the constructs of academic support programming by examining the growth of SOAR (Students Organized to Affirm Recovery) at Rowan University. We will share strategies we have utilized to identify substance use when it poses a barrier to academic success and students’ overall well-being. Our discussion will highlight our collaboration with vital departments across campus that compliment the services offered by our AOD clinicians in the Wellness Center. Additionally, we will offer participants an opportunity to discuss mindset as it relates to taking on a new initiative and ways to overcome feelings of uncertainty to experience meaning and fulfillment in the work that we do.

Harm Reduction Drug Trends Overdose Reversal 

LOCATION: MV 111

Facilitated by: Melanie Beddis, Director of Programs, Savage Sisters Recovery

Description:  The purpose of this presentation is to provide a comprehensive understanding of harm reduction strategies, public health issues, current drug trends, wound care related to xylazine use, fentanyl test strips, updated withdrawal protocols, and updated overdose reversal techniques, given the addition of xylazine to the changing illicit drug supply. Our organization stresses the importance of knowing how to interact with people currently using drugs or experiencing homelessness and providing basic public health needs to combat the public crisis we are experiencing. This session aims to equip participants with practical knowledge and resources to address the challenges posed by xylazine use in a thorough and compassionate manner.

BREAKOUT SESSION #3, 2:10PM - 3:00pm (1 CE)

An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy/Training Approach to Supporting Students Across the Spectrum of Recovery 

LOCATION: MV 103

Facilitated by: Stephanie Shiffler, Ph.D., Staff Psychologist/AOD Specialist, Drexel University

Dr. Shamell Brandon, Lehigh University Counseling and Psychological Services

Description:  Students in various forms of recovery have historically struggled to have their needs met in the college environment, particularly with regard to mental health. Although Collegiate Recovery Programs have created affirming environments, many colleges rely on University Counseling Centers (UCCs) to provide care and support. Even at universities that have CRPs and UCCs, many students who are seeking support for an active substance issue are alienated by each of these environments. UCCs often refer out students with these histories and presenting concerns, even when the care they require technically falls within the scope of their practice. In this presentation we aim to use the principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy/Training to explore the contexts and “stories” that may influence the way UCCs approach this population of students and offer alternative strategies that increase the accessibility of recovery and mental health resources on campus.

Crafting a Classroom Culture of Recovery Allyship 

LOCATION: MV 105

Facilitated by: Zach Runge, M.A., Program Specialist & Adjunct Professor at Towson University

Description: Faculty and other higher education professionals navigate interactions with a variety of student populations. One such population in need of more support is students in recovery or who may be impacted by substance use. This session explores ways in which faculty can incorporate recovery allyship into their classrooms to create an encouraging environment for all students. Given the increasing amount of fatal substance overdoses and the party culture often associated with college life, faculty and staff must know how to communicate about and support recovery efforts. Through interactive discussions and real-world scenarios, attendees will leave the session knowing how to use person-first language, connect students to recovery resources, incorporate allyship into course assignments, and develop a recovery-friendly pledge that addresses student needs, dismantles stigma, and promotes inclusivity.

The Co-occurrence of Autism Spectrum Disorder and Substance Use Disorder 

LOCATION: MV 107

Facilitated by: Alli MacNamara, MS, NCC, LPC, Associate Director of College Support, Kinney Center for Autism, Saint Joseph’s University

Allie Hushen, Assistant Director of College Support, Kinney Center, Saint Joseph’s University

Description: The prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has increased over 400% since the year 2000. With this increase, there has been an increase of co-occurring ASD and substance use disorders (SUD). In addition to this, many individuals who are mis-diagnosed or undiagnosed ASD may develop SUD and other mental health challenges due to lack of adequate support and interventions. Through this presentation, contributing factors to development of SUD for individuals with ASD will be reviewed and discussed, as well as prevention strategies and educational programming for at-risk populations. In addition, treatment challenges and strategies will be reviewed for supporting clients with co-occurring ASD and SUD through evidence based practices.

BREAKOUT SESSION #4, 3:10PM - 4:00PM (1 CE)

Growing the Collegiate Recovery Movement in Community Colleges: Listening, Adapting, and Building Capital 

LOCATION: MV 103

Facilitated by: Eric Scott Klein, LSW, Old Dominion University

Description: The community college was designed to be an open-enrollment, accessible institution which grew productivity neighborhood by neighborhood, while providing direct service to the “public good” specifically defined by an individual community’s needs. One such population that can benefit from this framework is people in recovery from substance use disorder yet, community colleges are only slowly beginning to implement collegiate recovery programs to support their recovery and intersectional needs. Community colleges are often part of a personalized recovery plan when a person desires a degree or certificate to further their life’s goals. Plus, this pathway may be the most feasible option, at first, for myriad reasons. This session will present a potential template for the creation of recovery supports at the community college level with suggestions on how to engage stakeholders in the faculty/staff/board of the college or state system, workforce development partners, and students who deserve equitable access and support.

Confronting Stigma: Enhancing Mental Health & Recovery Services in Campus Life 

LOCATION: MV 105

Facilitated by: Hope McMahan, MSS, Senior Prevention Specialist, Prevention Education Solutions

Description:  This presentation scrutinizes how stigma influences the development and use of mental health and recovery services on campuses. We dissect the barriers stigma erects, leading to underutilization of vital services. The session delves into systemic issues perpetuating stigma, aiming to catalyze a paradigm shift towards inclusivity. Attendees will gain insight into strategies to mitigate stigma's impact, fostering an environment that encourages adoption of mental health resources. Our exploration challenges prevailing norms, advocating for a stigma-free campus that prioritizes mental wellness. This dialogue is a stepping stone towards understanding and ultimately uprooting the stigmatization often associated with mental health and recovery services in college settings. Join us in this critical conversation to reshape campus life, promoting healthier, more supportive environments for our students.

Empowering Collegiate Recovery: Nurturing Student Well-being and Success 

LOCATION: MV 107

Facilitated by: Eric Rodriguez, MSW, LSW, CAADC, Education Director, Caron Treatment Centers

Description:  This session will focus on how professionals and the collegiate recovery community can support college students in achieving holistic health. Recognizing students' well-being extends beyond academics, encompassing mental, emotional, and social aspects. In this session, we delve into critical factors affecting college students, strategies for creating an inclusive learning environment, early recognition of distress, and the vital role of resources and support systems.

HIGHLIGHTED POSTER SESSION (ALL DAY)

Perceptions of Stigmatizing Language: A Comparative Study on Substance Use Disorder Terminology Among Two Campuses in a University

LOCATION: MV Foyer

Presented by: Huizhen Ni, PharmD Student and Gia Ho, PharmD Student, Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, Saint Joseph's University

Description: The purpose of this study is to explore the various perceptions of the students on two university campuses, Hawk Hill and University City (UCity), on different terminologies used to describe individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) and determine the level of stigma between the campuses to create an educational program to improve stigma within the community.

Melanie Beddis

Director of Programs, Savage Sisters Recovery

Melanie is in long term recovery from her battle with Substance Use Disorder and homelessness. She started as a resident of the Savage Sisters Housing Program and within the last few years, worked her way up from House Manager to Outreach Coordinator to Programs Director. She is now responsible for overseeing the operation of 10 men's and women's recovery homes. She also facilitates overdose reversal trainings nationwide and is in charge of running the Savage Sisters drop-in center and outreach events.

Session: Harm Reduction, Drug Trends, and Overdose Reversal

Dr. Shamell Brandon (he/him)

Lehigh University Counseling and Psychological Services

Dr. Brandon is a board certified clinical psychologist who works full-time as a staff psychologist and research director at Lehigh University's Counseling and Psychological Services. He provides psychotherapy to university students, leads a team in practice-based research, and supervises the work of new therapists, doctoral interns, and postdoctoral psychology residents. He is a member of the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science and has served on the training committee for that international organization from 2020 to 2023.

Session: An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy/Training Approach to Supporting Students Across the Spectrum of Recovery

Elena Cucco, Ph.D. (she/her)

Outreach Coordinator, Staff Psychologist, Drexel University

Elena is an early career clinician currently working at the Drexel University Counseling Center and entering into private practice. She graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University with a PhD in 2018. She completed internship at the New Jersey Veterans Affairs Healthcare System and a postdoctoral fellowship at Princeton University Counseling and Psychological Services. She's trained and worked in college counseling for the last 10 years as well as worked with community mental health, Veteran, forensic, and inpatient populations. She has also served on the board of the Philadelphia Society for Psychoanalytic Psychology (PSPP) and helps coordinate the PSPP Mentorship Program.

Session: Counseling Center Outreach as a Tool for Prevention in Collegiate Recovery

Drew Davenport, M.Ed. (he/him/his)

Academic Support Coordinator, SOAR Navigator, Rowan University

Drew Davenport graduated from Rowan University in 2018 with a BA in Psychology. Later, he obtained his M. Ed. in School Counseling from Wilmington University and became a certified New Jersey School Counselor. He worked for several years in the public-school setting with students ranging in age from kindergarten to high school. His background in school-based counseling helped him acquire key skills involving social-emotional learning, growth mindset techniques, and group and individual counseling strategies. After making the transition to higher education, Drew returned to Rowan University now working with students to help them move towards their academic and personal goals while aiding in the implementation of various student success programs such as peer tutoring and success coaching. Since adding his new role as a SOAR (Students Organized to Affirm Recovery) Navigator, Drew has worked closely with his colleague, Kristen Miranda, to create and build upon comprehensive and supportive services in the way of alcohol and other drug education, prevention, and recovery on campus. SOAR (Students Organized to Affirm Recovery) collaborates with the substance use clinicians in Rowan’s Wellness Center and aims to continue creating safe spaces for discussion around alcohol and other drugs.

Session: “Aren’t We Here to Talk About My Grades?”: Integrating AOD Prevention and Recovery into an Academic Support Model

Kristine De Jesus, Psy.D (she/they)

Executive Director of Students Recover

Dr. Kristine De Jesus is the Executive Director of Students Recover, the first online student recovery community for post-secondary students in the nation. Dr De Jesus founded Students Recover as part of the Sugarman Practitioner in Residence Fellow at Princeton University’s School of Public and International Affairs. She served as Coordinator of the Alcohol and Other Drugs program at Montclair State University, where she was an advisor to the Red Hawk Recovery Program and was the Educational Coordinator for the Campus Alcohol and Substance Awareness Program at Temple University. Dr. De Jesus holds a Bachelors of Arts degree from Rutgers University, completed a Masters of Arts degree in Organizational Behavior at Alliant International University and received a Doctorate of Psychology degree from the California School of Professional Psychology, where she specialized in Health & Cross-Cultural Psychology.

Session: Creating opportunities for Connection: Expanding Student Support

Marley Doring

Program Coordinator, Center for Communication and Health Issues, Rutgers University

Currently, I am working at the Center for Communication and Health Issues at Rutgers University under the guidance of faculty member Dr. Lea Stewart. I work with many students in various Communication courses providing them with guidance while they run a social norms campaign on campus that discusses alcohol. Additionally, I manage back-end tasks to keep the campaign and courses afloat. Another part of my job is to work on various projects with members of the Alcohol and Other Drug Assistance Program and the Rutgers Recovery House.

I am very passionate about the job I do. I fully believe what I do has a purpose. Not only am I building relationships with students and teaching them, but I am trying to set them up for successful futures. My goal continues to be to provide students with a safe space to share ideas and make an impact on campus, while having fun at the same time.

Session: Collegiate Recovery in the Classroom

Jessica Estok, LCDP CADC CCTP MA (she/her)

Assistant Director, Collegiate Recovery Support, University of Delaware

Jessica is the Assistant Director of Collegiate Recovery Support at the University of Delaware. She has been working in the field of recovery since 2001. She has a Masters Degree in Counseling from Monmouth University and is a Licensed Chemical Dependency Professional and a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor i the state of Delaware. She is also a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. Originally from New Jersey, she has worked in a variety of treatment settings in New Jersey prior to entering Higher Ed. She founded the Collegiate Recovery Community at UD in 2014. Jess is co-author of Ethical Considerations for Collegiate Recovery Professionals as endorsed by ARHE.

Session: Ethical Considerations for Collegiate Recovery Professionals

Kristen Harootunian

Mental Health Advocate

As a child, Kristen experienced significant trauma, including her mother attempting and completing suicide. When she reached her preteen years, Kristen didn’t know how to manage what she was feeling and turned to alcohol, drugs, and self-harm to mask the pain that she so desperately wanted to keep locked away. She continued these negative coping skills, including negative self-talk, which drove her down to a very dark place. Quickly, she arrived to a bottom she thought she would never leave. After going to treatment, where she learned how to replace her negative coping skills with positive ones, she worked hard to incorporate those habits into her life. Kristen attended a recovery high school to finish her education and went on to college. Kristen, being a young person in recovery, proves it’s never too late or too early to get the help you need.

Session: Changing Minds: Kristen's Story

Allie Hushen (she/her)

Assistant Director of College Support, Kinney Center, Saint Joseph’s University

Allie Hushen is currently earning her master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling with a certificate in addictions counseling from Saint Joseph’s University. Allie completed her bachelors of science in Psychology from University of the Sciences in 2021. Allie has worked as a SCHOLAR, graduate assistant, and now assistant director of college support at the Kinney Center for Autism Education and Support. Allie is passionate about advocating for autistic individuals, as well as supporting those in recovery.

Session: The Co-occurrence of Autism Spectrum Disorder and Substance Use Disorder

Jamie Hutchison, LSW (she/her)

Licensed Social Worker

Jamie Hutchison currently is a licensed social worker within the state of Pennsylvania. She has a passion for helping those in higher education due to her own unique experience of being a first generation, non-traditional, and transfer student. Over the years she has had a history of working with college students in a variety of capacities from working within Veteran Resource Centers and an Ethics Program. Additionally, she held fellowships centering around ethics and substance use amongst college students and Veterans, as well as internships centering on health equity, homelessness, substance use, and the therapeutic process. She holds an Associate degree in Psychology from Montgomery County Community College, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Peace, War, and Defense from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh.

Session: Creating Opportunities for Connection: Expanding Student Support

Eric Scott Klein, LSW (He/Him)

Old Dominion University

Eric Scott Klein (He/Him/His) earned his Bachelor of Social Work at Cedar Crest College, Allentown, PA in 2015, and a Master of Social Science (MSW-equivalent) at the Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research of Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, PA in 2016. He is a licensed social worker with professional collegiate experience as a therapist, college counselor, social worker and professor. Eric co-founded the collegiate recovery program at Northampton Community College and co-designed their Certified Peer Specialist certificate program. Eric has been the clinical director of a residential mental health treatment facility for people with severe and persistent dual diagnoses and previous forensic engagement. He also worked as a therapist in a residential home for people with permanent challenges due to severe traumatic brain injuries. Eric was previously on the board of directors of the Lehigh Valley’s only adolescent after school recovery center. Eric is currently an adjunct professor of psychology at Northampton Community College and a mental health therapist for adolescents and emerging adults with specialization in working with co-occurring disorders, the LGBTQIA+ community, and humanist modalities. Eric was an opera/musical theatre major at Carnegie-Mellon University, and still sings professionally every weekend. Eric prefers the pronouns he, him and his.

Session: "Growing the Collegiate Recovery Movement in Community Colleges: Listening, Adapting, and Building Capital"

Hope McMahan, MSS (they/them)

Senior Prevention Specialist, Prevention Education Solutions

Hope McMahan, MSW, graduated from the Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research at Bryn Mawr College. Their primary research focus is on developing, implementing, and assessing substance use prevention models that are not based on moral judgment.

During their graduate studies, Hope concentrated on macro practice,encompassing communities, organizations, policy, and advocacy. Through this lens, they engage students in discussions about the varied risk factors individuals face in developing substance use disorders and how existing policies may not be beneficial for everyone entering treatment. Hope’s training emphasizes the impact that systems, power, and privilege play on an individual’s risk for substance use disorders.

Hope has extensively studied past substance use models and the moralization of drug use over the past five decades. They focus on the Drug-Free School Act of 1989 and the resulting stigma around drug use, exemplified by the “Just Say No” and D.A.R.E. campaigns. They are dedicated to examining and redefining traditional approaches to substance use prevention.

Hope’s research aims to develop effective evaluation methods for substance use prevention models that are adaptable to the unique risk and protective factors of individual schools. They provide up-to-date, evidence-backed research on substance use trends among young adults, ensuring that interventions remain relevant and impactful.

Hope’s commitment to this research is deeply personal, as they are in long-term healthy recovery. This personal experience not only fuels their passion for the subject but also adds a valuable perspective to their work with students in the classroom.

Session: Shifting the Paradigm of Addiction

Alli MacNamara, MS, NCC, LPC (she/her/hers)

Associate Director of College Support, Kinney Center for Autism, Saint Joseph’s University 

Alli MacNamara is the Associate Director of College Support at the Kinney Center for Autism at Saint Joseph's University. Through the ASPIRE college support program, Alli supports college students with autism spectrum disorder. Alli is also an adjunct professor in the counselor education department, and has experience teaching practicum, internship, psychopharmacology, and diagnosis and treatment planning. Alli has a bachelor's degree in psychology and master's degree in clinical mental health counseling, is a nationally certified counselor, and a licensed professional counselor in the state of Pennsylvania.

Session: The Co-occurrence of Autism Spectrum Disorder and Substance Use Disorder

Kristen Miranda (she/her/hers)

Academic Support Coordinator, SOAR Navigator

Kristen Miranda graduated from William Paterson University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 2006 and has since gained extensive professional experience that spans the fields of emotional and behavioral health, education, and wellness. Within these fields she has supported individuals through case management, advocacy, post-secondary counseling, and program development. Kristen cares deeply about the wellbeing of others and this belief has been the guiding principle of her work.

In addition to her roles as an Academic Support Coordinator and SOAR Navigator at Rowan University, Kristen works as a coach with a focus on wellbeing and self-care. She approaches her work with individuals holistically and with an open mind, acknowledging each person’s unique perspective and experiences. Together with her colleague, Drew Davenport, Kristen has had the incredible opportunity to develop a Collegiate Recovery Program at Rowan. While working as advocates to reduce the stigma associated with substance use disorder, they strive to create safe spaces for discussion around alcohol and other drugs. Since its establishment in Fall 2023, SOAR (Students Organized to Affirm Recovery) has connected with nearly 2,000 students through classroom presentations, tabling events, and inclusive programs intended to provide opportunities to build community in a substance free environment.

Session: “Aren’t We Here to Talk About My Grades?”: Integrating AOD Prevention and Recovery into an Academic Support Model

Keith Murphy, LPC, LCADC (he/him/his)

Director ADAP Rutgers University

As the Director of the Alcohol and other Drug Assistance Program Keith has been tasked to help the students at Rutgers University understand the impact of their substance use and make the changes THEY believe are necessary to build a life in college and beyond. Keith’s work with Recovery House, the first higher education residential recovery housing in the country, created in 1988, has supported students in maintaining sobriety, becoming fully engaged students and successfully persisting to graduation.

Session: How Serving Free Coffee Can Support Collegiate Recovery

John Rithianos, CPRS (he/him)

Collegiate Recovery Specialist, Rutgers University-New Brunswick

John, the Collegiate Recovery Specialist for Rutgers University-New Brunswick, is a proud alumnus of the Rutgers Recovery House. Having successfully navigated college while on his own recovery journey, John now dedicates himself to supporting and empowering students facing similar challenges. With a compassionate approach, he leverages his personal experience to empower individuals struggling with addiction and life challenges, guiding them toward personal growth and well-being.

Session: Collegiate Recovery in the Classroom

Eric Rodriguez, MSW, LSW, CAADC

Education Director, Caron Treatment Centers

As the Education Resource Director for Caron’s Education Alliance Department, Eric Rodriguez oversees education, training, development, and learning initiatives, focusing primarily on professional and organizational education.

With an enthusiasm for education, extensive experience in clinical, substance use treatment, mental health, and a background in corporate leadership, Eric brings a passion for helping organizations in their health initiatives.

Prior to accepting the education role in 2021, Eric worked as a lead behavioral health therapist, providing individual and family therapy to patients and their families, facilitating groups, offering educational lectures, and helping to set up aftercare plans. He has advanced education in co-occurring disorders, specifically related to anxiety, and is trained in cognitive processing therapy for trauma. He began working at Caron in 2017.

Before joining Caron, he worked with heart and vascular transplant patients and their families, providing social and family evaluations and post-transplant discharge planning. Prior to his career in health care, Eric worked in sales and marketing within the telecommunications industry.

Eric is a licensed social worker in the state of Pennsylvania and has a certification in advanced addiction and drug counseling. He has a bachelor’s degree in clinical psychology and a master’s degree in clinical social work from Millersville University.

Session: Empowering Collegiate Recovery: Nurturing Student Well-being and Success

Zach Runge, M.A. (he/him/his)

Program Specialist & Adjunct Professor at Towson University

Zach Runge is a higher education professional with over 8 years of experience in the field. Having extensive familiarity with loving someone who is living with an addiction, Zach has blended his passion for education and recovery allyship in many areas of his work. Currently working at Towson University in the Department of Communication Studies, Zach is a trained on-campus recovery ally, advocating for students' wellbeing and raising awareness about Tigers in Recovery, the university's collegiate recovery program. Additionally, Zach is a trained opioid overdose and mental health first aid responder while actively volunteering with local organizations such as Rage Against Addiction and Ashley Addiction Treatment. After losing his sister to an overdose in 2020, Zach, along with his mother, established a scholarship in her name at various institutions in the state of Maryland to support the educational journeys of students in recovery or impacted by substance use. Zach has developed and delivered various training sessions focused on creating supportive environments for college students in recovery and is committed to promoting a recovery-friendly approach in all aspects of his work.

Session: Crafting a Classroom Culture of Recovery Allyship

Stephanie Shiffler, Ph.D. (she/her)

Staff Psychologist/AOD Specialist, Drexel University

Stephanie Shiffler, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist who runs a private practice and works as a part-time staff member at Drexel University Counseling Center (DUCC). Stephanie completed her M.A. in General Psychology at the New School for Social Research, her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at University of Georgia, and her predoctoral internship at Lehigh University. Stephanie is interested in using the principles of harm reduction and social justice to meet the needs of individuals struggling with substance use issues. As the Alcohol and Other Drug Specialist at DUCC, Stephanie has sought to develop programming that helps students to make decisions about substances that align with their values.

Session: An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy/Training Approach to Supporting Students Across the Spectrum of Recovery

Lea P. Stewart, Ph.D (she/her/hers)

Professor, Rutgers University

Lea P. Stewart, Ph.D., is the Richard D. Heffner Professor of Communication and Public Policy and Director of the Center for Communication and Health Issues at Rutgers University-New Brunswick. She also is an associate member of the Rutgers Center of Alcohol and Substance Use Studies. She has been a faculty member at Rutgers for over 40 years, and her current research, teaching, and service focuses on issues of dangerous drinking prevention among college students with a particular interest in the needs of college students in recovery. Her work links interpersonally based prevention strategies with mass mediated campaigns targeting college student drug and alcohol use. This work has won numerous awards including a Model Program award from the U.S. Department of Education’s Safe and Drug-free Schools Program in 2000-01 for development of the RU SURE campaign. Dr. Stewart brings her expertise in experiential learning pedagogy to undergraduate courses such as Advanced Health Communication, Health Message and Campaign Design, and Media, Marketing and Communication. In addition, she has served as PI for almost $5 million in funding from the State of New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services to expand and enhance existing programs and services designed to reduce alcohol and other drug use among students at Rutgers and to support the development of healthier lifestyles including recovery from substance use disorders.

Session: Introducing the Vicious Cycle: How Serving Free Coffee Can Support Collegiate Recovery

Greg Young, CRS (he/him)

Director of Recovery Friendly Workplace, UNITY Recovery

Greg Young is the Director of the Recovery Friendly Workplace initiative with Unity Recovery. He identifies as in long term recovery from alcohol use disorder, anxiety and depression for 6 years and counting. Born, raised and still living in the Chester County / Philadelphia area, Greg has a wealth of diverse work experience he uses to inform the training and assistance he provides to employers and the support he provides participants in the work he is doing everyday. He believes that the Recovery-Friendly Workplace framework is the ideal framework for creating a healthy workplace and reducing work related stress. This involves a strategic balance of support and administration, understanding how to connect with people on an individual level, and taking on more responsibility as employers or supervisors in the success of staff. RFW is about leading by example with mutual respect, empathy and compassion, taking a proactive approach to wellness in the workplace while investing in staff who are in or seeking recovery; benefiting the individual, the organization and the community as a whole. Outside of the workplace, Greg enjoys photography, crafting, nature, and politics. He is driven by his desire to help others in everyday life and hopes to continue to do so professionally for as long as he is able.

Session: Supporting Student Success: Benefits of College and University Certification as a Recovery Friendly Workplace