2025 Collegiate Recovery Conference at SJU
EVENT OVERVIEW
CARE FOR THE WHOLE STUDENT: EXPLORING BEST PRACTICES IN COLLEGIATE RECOVERY
Wednesday, August 6, 2025 | 8:30AM - 4:30PM
Saint Joseph’s University | Campion Student Center
5600 City Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19131
We are proud to host the 8th Annual Collegiate Recovery Conference at Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia, PA. This year's event will focus on care for the whole student, while exploring best practices in collegiate recovery. Our goal is to foster connection, share insights, and strengthen our collective efforts to support young people on their journey to recovery from substance use and co-occurring conditions.
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- Explore how a university’s mission influences the creation of recovery-friendly environments and the promotion of holistic support for students in recovery.
- Explore emerging best practices in collegiate recovery and mental health support.
- Explore the impact of stigma on the development and utilization of mental health and recovery services, both on and off campus.
- Foster a community of professionals committed to transforming student support and advancing best practices in collegiate recovery.
REGISTRATION
Early Bird Registration: May 1-July 15, 2025
Professionals: $30
All Students: FREE
Regular Pricing: July 16 - August 1st
Professionals: $40
All Students: FREE
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
MORNING Keynote:
HARRY LEVANT, lp.d, ma pcc, icgc-i, jd
Gambling Addiction, College Students, and Mental Health: A Looming Crisis and the Public Health Response
Dr. Harry Levant is Director of Gambling Policy with the Public Health Advocacy Institute (PHAI) at Northeastern University School of Law. He holds a doctorate in law and public policy from Northeastern University where his research focuses on developing a public health approach to prevent gambling-related harm and gambling disorder. He is also an Internationally Certified Gambling Counselor (ICGC-I) and mental health therapist in private practice and concentrates his practice treating people and families struggling with gambling disorder.
Dr. Levant also holds a master’s in professional clinical counseling from La Salle University and a juris doctorate from Temple University School of Law. He is a member of numerous professional organizations including the American Counseling Association, the Pennsylvania Counseling Association, Chi Sigma Iota National Honor Society for Counselors, and Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Levant is a public health advocate, and he recently testified before the United States Senate Judiciary Committee. He also regularly appears on television and radio addressing the prevention and treatment of gambling disorder. His work has recently been featured on CBS Sunday Morning, CBS 60 Minutes, CNN, and the NBC Nightly News. He is the author of the law review commentary “Upon Further Review, the NFL Gambling Strategy is a Risk to Public Health” and co-author with Professor Richard Daynard and Professor Mark Gottlieb of the Boston Globe op-ed article, “Massachusetts Makes a Losing Bet on Gambling.”
Harry is also a gambling addict in recovery, having made his last bet on April 27, 2014. On that day, gambling addiction brought him within seconds of taking his life. Prevention of harm is the best form of treatment. In his role as Director of Gambling Policy at PHAI, Harry is helping to lead the effort to develop a comprehensive public health approach to regulate the gambling industry and prevent public harm.
SCHEDULE
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Please see below for the 2025 conference agenda. Keynote and breakout session details will be posted soon.
8:30AM - 8:50AM
Registration & Light Breakfast
8:50AM
Welcome & Opening Remarks
9:00AM - 10:30AM
Morning Keynote Speaker
10:40AM - 11:30AM
BREAKOUT SESSION #1 (4 Sessions Offered)
11:40AM - 12:30PM
BREAKOUT SESSION #2 (4 Sessions Offered)
12:30PM - 1:15PM
Networking Lunch
1:15PM - 2PM
Afternoon Keynote
2:10PM - 3:00PM
BREAKOUT SESSION #3 (4 Sessions Offered)
3:10PM - 4:00PM
BREAKOUT SESSION #4 (4 Sessions Offered)
4:00PM - 4:30PM
Conference Closing Session
- Presentation of Student Scholarship Award
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We are excited to offer 16 educational sessions over four breakout session time slots.
Additional details on each session will be posted soon.
RESILIENCE & RECOVERY STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP
We are happy to announce this $1000 "Resilience & Recovery" student scholarship opportunity, made available through the generous support of the "Recovery Champion" level sponsors of the 2025 Regional Recovery Conference.
Applications due July 11, 2025
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This $1000 student academic scholarship is offered through the generous support of the "Recovery Champion" level sponsors of the 2025 Regional Recovery Conference at Saint Joseph’s University and will be awarded to an undergraduate or graduate student, enrolled in a degree seeking program at a college or university.
Applications are now open and will close on Friday, July 11, 2025. Please contact recovery@sju.edu with questions.
Please contact recovery@sju.edu with questions.
Who can Apply:
- Must be admitted to and enrolled in a degree seeking program a college or university as an undergraduate or graduate student
- Must be a person in recovery
How to Apply:
- Submit the on-line application including the items below by July 11, 2025.
- Answer the following prompts:
- How has substance use disorder impacted you?
- What does recovery mean for you/ how has recovery impacted your life?
- How has involvement in a Collegiate Recovery Community at your institution helped or benefited you? (If your school does not yet have a CRC, explain how having one at your institution could help or benefit you/your peers)
- Recent resume, outlining your academic and/or professional accomplishments.
- Answer the following prompts:
Selection Process:
- A committee of recovery and higher education professionals will review each application.
- Recipients will be notified by July 25, 2025.
- The recipient will have the option to have their award announced at the Collegiate Recovery conference at Saint Joseph’s University on August 6, 2025 or to maintain anonymity.
TRAVEL & PARKING
PARKING INFORMATION
Free parking is available for conference attendees in the Mandeville Hall Parking Lot (number 8 on the campus map).
Mandeville Hall is located on N. 54th Street near City Avenue.
HOTEL INFORMATION
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| Traveling From Out of Town?A conference hotel block is available from August 5-6. Reservation Link Coming Soon Hilton Philadelphia City Avenue, $149/room *reservations must be made by July 8, 2025 |
CONFERENCE SPONSORSHIP
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
Thank you to these organizations for their generous support!
"Recovery Advocate" Level Sponsors:
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SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
If you are interested in exploring sponsorship options for your organization, please see this Sponsorship Opportunities Guide for additional information.
Please contact Marci Berney, Executive Director of Student Support & Well-being at recovery@sju.edu or 610-660-1149 for more information.
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$2,500 - Community Partner Recovery Champion (3 available)
- Name or company logo featured on website and digital display during conference
- Featured sponsor during Opening and Closing
- Opportunity to address audience during Opening/Welcome session (5 min)
- Opportunity to present an educational ‘Lunch & Learn’ session
- Attendance for 5 included
- Resource table
- This sponsorship includes a $1,000 scholarship for a student in recovery and an opportunity to be featured in promotional materials and media communications as a champion for students in recovery.
$1,000 - Recovery Advocate
- Name or company logo featured on website and digital display during conference
- Featured sponsor during Opening and Closing
- Attendance for 3 included
- Resource table
CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT HOURS
The Collegiate Recovery Program at SJU is currently seeking approval to offer continuing education credit hours for “SJU Regional Collegiate Recovery Conference: Care for the Whole Student, Exploring Best Practices in Collegiate Recovery.” Please check back for updates.
SJU COLLEGIATE RECOVERY PROGRAM (CRP)
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| Learn more about the Collegiate Recovery Program (CRP) and the on-campus Recovery Residence at Saint Joseph's University! |