Session Descriptions

• Session 1: Understanding the Interconnectedness of Substance Use, Mental Health, and Student Success

  Understanding the Interconnectedness of Substance Use, Mental Health, and Student Success
  Wednesday, May 21 | 9:15 AM – 10:45 AM

  In this session, Dr. Jason Kilmer will help attendees consider ways in which decisions about substance use (or non-use) can affect health, mental health, and student success, with implications for campus prevention efforts. We will address the concept of “alcohol myopia” as a risk factor for suicide, how substances impact sleep quality and effects on subsequent days, and multiple ways in which cannabis use and mental health outcomes are related. We will discuss ways in which the important work done around substance use pays dividends elsewhere on campus and consider what this means for strategic planning.

   

   

   

   

• Session 2: When Help Finds You: Navigating Compassion Fatigue and Burnout in Student Support Roles

  When Help Finds You: Navigating Compassion Fatigue and Burnout in Student Support Roles
  Wednesday, May 21 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

  In this presentation, Viveca Johnson, MS, NCC, LPC-S, BC-TMH will explore the growing challenges of compassion fatigue and burnout among student affairs professionals and community partners who support student health and well-being. The session offers a clear understanding of compassion fatigue, burnout, secondary trauma, and vicarious trauma, while also highlighting the importance of compassion satisfaction as a protective factor. Participants will gain practical strategies to manage stress, build resilience, and prioritize their mental health through wellness practices and self-care tools. Interactive wellness activities will be included to foster reflection and promote sustainable well-being in their roles.

   

   

   

   

• Sessions 3-4: Prioritizing Prevention: Strengthening Partnerships for Substance Misuse Prevention – Part 1 and Part 2

  Prioritizing Prevention: Strengthening Partnerships for Substance Misuse Prevention – Part 1 and Part 2
  Wednesday, May 21 | 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM (Part 1) and 2:45 PM – 4:00 PM (Part 2)

  In this half-day orientation, Carlton Hall will share how to equip prevention professionals, coalition leaders, and community advocates across Louisiana with the tools and insights needed to enhance collaborative efforts in substance misuse prevention. Participants will explore effective strategies to engage diverse sectors, tailor outreach efforts, and strengthen local leadership—ensuring that Louisiana’s unique cultural and community dynamics are reflected in impactful, evidence-based prevention initiatives.

   

   

   

• Session 5: From Silos to Synergy: Building Collaborative Mental Health Networks Across Louisiana

  From Silos to Synergy: Building CollaborativeMental HealthNetworksAcross Louisiana
  Thursday, May 22 | 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM

  In this session with Viveca Johnson, MS, NCC, LPC-S, BC-TMH, participants will learn how to use asset mapping as a collaborative tool to identify existing resources, uncover service gaps, and build stronger regional networks of support. Through guided discussions and structured group exercises, attendees will explore how to work more intentionally across roles and systems to address student mental health and wellness as well as identify and address barriers. The session will conclude with each regional group developing an actionable plan or first step for improving coordination and communication among local service providers and institutions. This session is designed to promote continuous collaboration and amplify the collective impact of wellness and prevention efforts across the state.

   

   

   

• Session 6: The Stop Campus Hazing Act and the Max Gruver Act in Louisiana: Implications for Practice and Campus Policies

  The Stop Campus Hazing Act and the Max Gruver Act in Louisiana:
  Implications for Practice and Campus Policies
  Thursday, May 22 | 10:15 AM – 11:45 AM

  Hazing, which meets the World Health Organization’s definition of interpersonal violence (Kerschner & Allan, 2024; Quigg et al., 2020) is a complex and persistent issue on college campuses (Allan et al., 2019). Presenters will provide an overview of the Stop Campus Hazing Act, the new federal law, and how it intersects with the implementation of Louisiana’s Max Gruver Act. Presenters will also introduce a collection of research-informed resources and tools to support campus professionals and administrators in implementing both laws. HazingInfo.org, a new resource and database, will also be highlighted as a tool along with other companion resources to support campus professionals in developing effective transparency reports. Presenters will use a virtual polling tool for engagement throughout the session, as well as group discussion opportunities, and case study activities to analyze various campus hazing incident transparency reports and hazing prevention websites.

  As a result of attending this session, Megan DeShon-Runge and Devin Franklin, will help participants become more knowledgeable about the Stop Campus Hazing Act and the Max Gruver Act; have the opportunity to engage in discussion and gain insights about the implications of and implementation of the new law; and gain practical tools and information to enhance campus hazing prevention.

• Session 7: Comprehensive Hazing Prevention: Building Capacity to Implement and Research-Informed Strategies

  Comprehensive Hazing Prevention: Building Capacity to Implement
  and Research-Informed Strategies
  Thursday, May 22 | 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM

  This program is guided by the data-driven, public health-based Hazing Prevention Framework (HPF) (Allan et al., 2018) specifically focusing on the components of capacity and implementation. Attendees are provided information about research-supported approaches to fostering campus-wide partnerships for hazing prevention, connecting hazing prevention to other campus health and safety issues, and using a collection of resources to strategically plan future efforts. Attendees will also consider sustainable ways to expand their capacity for hazing prevention, including strengthening buy-in, partnerships, and broadening stakeholder group involvement for hazing prevention campus-wide.
  Following this, presenters Megan DeShon-Runge and Devin Franklin will highlight several research-informed strategies and resources, discuss how to tailor implementation strategies to various audiences and campus-specific risk and protective factors, and demonstrate the importance of evaluation of hazing prevention efforts.

  Following this, presenters Megan DeShon-Runge and Devin Franklin will highlight several research-informed strategies and resources, discuss how to tailor implementation strategies to various audiences and campus-specific risk and protective factors, and demonstrate the importance of evaluation of hazing prevention efforts.