2025 Collegiate Recovery Conference at SJU

1. Explore how a university’s mission influences the creation of recovery-friendly environments and the promotion of holistic support for students in recovery.
2. Explore emerging best practices in collegiate recovery and mental health support. 
3. Explore the impact of stigma on the development and utilization of mental health and recovery services, both on and off campus.
4. Foster a community of professionals committed to transforming student support and advancing best practices in collegiate recovery.

Please see below for the 2025 conference agenda. 

Breakout Session 1 (10:40AM - 11:30AM)

Best Practices for Collegiate Recovery for Neurodivergent Students (1 NBCC CE Available)

Room: Doyle Banquet Hall

Presenters:

• Alli MacNamara, Director of College Support, Kinney Center, Saint Joseph’s University 
• Michelle Kamin, Assistant Director of College Support, Kinney Center, Saint Joseph’s University 

Session Description: It is estimated that over 15% of the United States population identifies as neurodivergent, which includes, but is not limited to, Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, and more. Colleges and universities are working to build supportive and inclusive environments for neurodivergent individuals. Studies have shown that Neurodivergent individuals may be at an increased risk of developing a substance use disorder, and that standard substance use disorder treatment may not be meeting their unique needs. Through this presentation, the co-occurrence of substance use disorders and neurodiversity will be discussed, as well as strategies for success to support neurodivergent students with substance use disorders and those who are in recovery. 
 

Using Creative Expression to Support Students Across the Recovery Spectrum (1 NBCC CE Available) 

Room: Sunroom 1

Presenters:

• Stephanie Shiffler, Staff Psychologist/AOD Specialist, Drexel University
• Teagan Schirmbeck, Student Employee, Drexel University

Session Description: Though University Counseling Centers (UCCs) play an integral role in providing support and resources about substance use to college students, they have historically had difficulty meeting the needs of the diverse range of students with substance-related concerns (Terrion, 2013). In the absence of a formal collegiate recovery program (CRP), UCCs can utilize outreach as a tool for prevention and support to these students (Banks, 2020). This presentation will explore the potential benefits of art therapy in particular as a tool for UCC outreach to students seeking support for substance-related concerns (Wilson, 2003). Presenters will discuss an outreach program developed and implemented by Drexel University Counseling Center during the past academic year. In this initiative students were invited to attend a five-session series that focused on mindfulness, grounding, creative expression, and storytelling; these themes were explored through the process of building, presenting, and enjoying a complex zero-proof mixed drink. 

Reclaiming Your Spark: Burnout and Self-Care for Recovery Professionals  (1 NBCC CE Available) 

Room: North Lounge

Presenters:

• Jessica Estok, Interim Assistant Director, Collegiate Recovery Prevention Programs, University of Delaware

Session Description: Burnout is a term we often hear, but do we truly understand what it means? Many people experience burnout without even realizing it. In this session, we’ll dive into the key symptoms of burnout and help you identify whether you may be affected. You’ll gain insights into the different signs of burnout and how they impact your overall well-being.

But understanding burnout is just the beginning. Self-care is a crucial aspect of preventing and managing burnout, yet it’s often misunderstood as being “selfish.” In this session, we’ll debunk that myth and explore how self-care is vital for both personal and professional success. Learn practical strategies and leave with a personalized self-care plan to help you reclaim your spark.

Supporting Students in Recovery: Lessons Learned by a Faculty Mentor

Room: Sunroom 2

Presenters:

• Yvonne McCarthy, Collegiate Assistant Professor, Ursinus College

Session Description: This session is designed to offer insight into a student/faculty recovery mentorship from a faculty member’s perspective. Through an open discussion, we will explore and share experiences relating to the role of a faculty member serving as an informal campus resource for students in recovery. Thoughts on the vulnerability of visibility as a person in recovery on campus, mentorship vs. sponsorship, and an example of a student/faculty recovery mentorship will be shared.

Rewiring the Brain: The Science of Addiction and Neurorestorative Healing

Room: President's Lounge

Presenters:

• Eric Rodriguez, Corporate Director, Caron Treatment Centers

Session Description: This session explored how addiction affects the brain’s reward system, prefrontal cortex, and stress pathways. It highlighted the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral impacts of chronic substance use and explained how addiction alters brain function over time.

Participants were introduced to neurorestorative health, focusing on the brain’s ability to heal through neuroplasticity and resilience. The session also covered evidence-based strategies in neurorestorative health - that support brain recovery.

Finally, the session examined the role of trauma and stress in addiction and emphasized the importance of trauma-informed care in promoting healing and sustained recovery.

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Breakout Session 2 (11:40AM - 12:30PM)

PA CARES Act 110: Building a Supportive Community

Room: President's Lounge

Presenters:

• Meghan O'Meara, Clinician for House Staff, Jefferson University
• Andrew Lee, Director of Tuttleman Counseling Services, Temple University

Session Description: This presentation outlines the steps for universities to achieve PA CARES ACT 110 certification, emphasizing its crucial role in supporting student mental health. PA CARES ACT 110 certification demonstrates an institution's commitment to providing a safe and supportive environment by establishing comprehensive mental health and suicide prevention plans.

Key areas covered in this presentation include:

- Developing and implementing clear, accessible mental health resources.
- Creating protocols for identifying and supporting students in crisis.
- Promoting awareness and reducing stigma around mental health issues.
- Fostering a campus culture that prioritizes well-being and recovery.

Student-Led Solutions: Tackling the Opioid Crisis Through Campus Advocacy  (1 NBCC CE Available) 

Room: Sunroom 2

Presenters:

• Vinayak Menon, Founder and President - Princeton Overdose Prevention (POP), Princeton University 

Session Description: This session offers a student-led perspective on building overdose prevention and recovery support networks on college campuses. Drawing from my experience founding the Princeton Overdose Prevention Project (POP), I will discuss the challenges students face in accessing lifesaving resources like naloxone, navigating disciplinary barriers, and overcoming stigma. I will share strategies we used to foster a supportive campus community, connect with regional partners, and expand access to resources, from tabling events to public health outposts. The session will also outline a vision for an inter-collegiate student coalition to push for broader legislative change and build stronger recovery communities. Participants will learn about the importance of youth leadership in collegiate recovery and explore best practices for empowering students to drive change on their own campuses.

Harm Reduction, Drug Trends, Overdose Prevention & Reversal  (1 NBCC CE Available)

Room: North Lounge

Presenters:

• Sarah Laurel, Founder, Executive Director, Savage Sisters

Session 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 and medetomidine 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.

Understanding Our Assets: Examining Strengths-based Approaches to Collegiate Recovery  (1 NBCC CE Available)

Room: Sunroom 2

Presenters:

• Dylan Dunn, Senior Director of SAFE Campuses, SAFE Project

Session Description: Over the past decade, there has been a movement within higher education to promote educational programming that capitalizes on student strengths as opposed to focusing on “problem areas.” In this session, we’ll apply the principles of strengths-based learning to case studies one might encounter in the field of collegiate recovery. Join your peers for an in-depth discussion of how we might approach complex community issues while honoring the strengths of our students.

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Breakout Session 3 (2:10PM - 3:00PM)

Reimagining The Collegiate Recovery Paradigm for Community College Students Via Partnerships and Online Solutions  (1 NBCC CE Available)

Room: Sunroom 1

Presenters:

• Kristine De Jesus, Executive Director, Students Recover
• Eric Klein, Adjunct Professor

Session Description: The community college was designed to be an open-enrollment, cost-effective institution which grew productivity neighborhood by neighborhood, while providing direct service to the “public good” specifically defined by an individual community’s needs. Naming a system that helps workforce development, supports the local community and its residents, and strives for academic excellence can potentially describe both community college and collegiate recovery. Often, community colleges are burdened by budgetary restraints and lack of staffing to support CRPs. This presentation offers an alternative solution. By partnering with online recovery community organizations, community colleges can provide students with recovery support services largely unavailable to their students. This session, while focused upon community colleges, can be a supplement to any college or university seeking expanded supports for their students in or seeking recovery.

Is This a Moral Issue?: Navigating Moral Development of Students, Staff, and Programs in Recovery Spaces  (1 NBCC CE Available)

Room: President's Lounge

Presenters:

• Dylan Dunn, Senior Director of SAFE Campuses, SAFE Project

Session Description: A critical experience in the development of young and emerging adults is the process of defining for oneself what is right, and what is wrong. A person’s concept of good and bad evolves throughout their life with influence from experiences, communities, hardships, and praises. When applied to the use of alcohol and other drugs, theories and frameworks of moral development can be used to reflect on underlying personal assumptions of substance use, the policies an institution enacts, and the education or punishment associated with such behaviors. This session will uncover how students, staff, and institutions of education assign morality to, and navigate the morality of, substance use, and discuss how to move past judgment and punishment, towards understanding and actions based on social constructs and individual principles.

How to Create an Allies of Recovery Program at Your University  (1 NBCC CE Available)

Room: North Lounge

Presenters:

• Aimee Della Porta, CAPS Therapist / Clinical Advisor to the Collegiate Recovery Program, Saint Joseph’s University
• Mairead Young, Assistant Director of Substance Use Prevention, Education & Support, Saint Joseph’s University 

Session Description: Our presentation will explore research regarding the impact of providing Allies of Recovery trainings on campuses, to demonstrate the value of such trainings. We will also introduce elements of SJU's Allies of Recovery training (concepts, scenarios, interactive activities) to guide participants in building their own training. And lastly, we will connect the work of developing allies on campus to the University's mission.

Pixels & Peer Support: Building Recovery Spaces for the Next Generation

Room: Sunroom 2

Presenters:

• Adam Sledd, National Recovery Support Services Director, UNITY Recovery
• Elijah Vasinda, Peer Recovery Support Specialist, UNITY Recovery

Session Description: The commUNITY Gaming Center is a pioneering model that integrates digital engagement, prevention, and peer recovery support into a single, youth-centered space. Located in Philadelphia and operated by Unity Recovery, the center offers free access to console and PC gaming, esports competitions, tabletop games like Dungeons & Dragons, immersive virtual reality experiences including the RecoveryVerse, and a community lounge designed for connection and creativity.

Launched with public funding through the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, the commUNITY Gaming Center also demonstrates a replicable model of public partnership, social innovation, and recovery-forward design. Attendees will leave with insights on how to build similar spaces in their communities, partner across sectors, and use gaming as a bridge to belonging and long-term wellness.

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Breakout Session 4 (3:10PM - 4:00PM)

Identifying and Treating Problem Gambling Among College Students

Room: President's Lounge

Presenters:

• Ryan DiMeglio, Co-Director Addiction Counselor Training Certificate Program/Teaching Instructor, Rutgers University 

Session Description: This presentation will focus on the identification and treatment of problem gambling among college students. An overview of different gambling behaviors, as well as common motivations and risk factors for gambling will be given. The relationship between problem gambling and other comorbid conditions, such as mental health and substance use issues, will also be discussed. Best practices for screening and assessment of gambling, including problem gambling, among college students will be presented. The presentation will also discuss effective interventions for working with college students experiencing problem gambling, as well as best practices for treatment planning.

Addiction and Recovery Resources for Health Care Professionals: A Campus and Community Partnership Model 1 NBCC CE Available)

Room: North Lounge

Presenters:

• John Woodruff, Senior Director, Accessibility & ADA Coordinator, Rowan University

Session Description: The value of aspiring health professionals increasing their understanding of addiction and recovery is of critical importance. 
This session will provide an overview of a campus and community model at Rowan University that illustrates a collaboration with two medical student organization at Cooper Medical School at Rowan University (CMSRU). A model that brings AA and NA speakers to campus to share their lived experience with medical students. Participants with learn about resources and a 'tool kit' to replicate this model in collaboration with health profession student organizations, campus resources and community partners.

From Receptors to Recovery  (1 NBCC CE Available)

Room: Sunroom 2

Presenters:

• Peter DeMaria, Coordinator of Psychiatric Services, Tuttleman Counseling Services, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University

Session Description: There are many paths to recovery. Medications can be a component of a treatment plan to support recovery in students with substance use disorders. This presentation will help explain how, when, and which medications can be useful. The presentation will start with an understanding of the pharmacology of receptors involved in the psychoactive action of drugs of abuse in order to understand how the current medications used to treat SUDs exert their effects. Medications will include those approved to treat nicotine, alcohol, cocaine, opioid, and MJ use disorders, and include nicotine replacement, varenicline, naltrexone, disulfiram, acamprosate, buprenorphine, and methadone. This is an introductory presentation, and no prior knowledge of biology or pharmacology is necessary.

Cultivating Psychological Flexibility Through Music

Room: Sunroom #1

Presenters:

• Andrew Kirschner, Founder and Managing Director, Sonic Connections

Session Description: This interactive presentation introduces a wellness workshop grounded in arts-based experiential learning and Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT). Designed for those supporting student recovery, our programs blend interactive discussion with guided listening exercises (i.e., no musical background is needed) to demonstrate how music can deepen psychological flexibility, helping participants shift from overwhelming struggle to choice, presence, and taking action based on their personal values. Our facilitation approach is intentionally neither a lecture nor group therapy. We use community-based, arts-driven methods that create space for collective insight and healing, taking extra care not to overpathologize or medicalize participants' lived experiences. Through creative, nonclinical group work (even as many of our facilitators are licensed clinicians), we'll share how our work fosters openness, reflection, and connection. Participants will leave with concrete ideas and tools to sustainably support well-being. It's an approach ideal for professionals seeking creative, scalable strategies for prevention and recovery support.

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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. 

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. 

$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