College Presidents To Serve as Leaders in Alcohol, Drug Prevention

In a major effort to reduce substance abuse on college campuses by tapping high-level officials, presidents and chancellors from 26 colleges and universities have joined the Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention's Presidents Leadership Group, a body of higher education officials who have committed to taking leadership roles at the state and local levels to prevent substance abuse on college campuses and surrounding communities. The Higher Education Center is housed within EDC's Health and Human Development Programs (HHD), and is funded by the U.S. Department of Education, with supplemental funding from The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

The Presidents Leadership Group was formed by the Higher Education Center in 1997 with support from The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to bring national attention to alcohol and other drug prevention on college and university campuses. That year, the then six-member group published a report and a video urging college presidents to become more active leaders in substance abuse prevention.

The Presidents Leadership Group is now comprised of 31 college presidents and chancellors representing 22 states.

"As college presidents, we gain nothing by denying that some students come to us with complex personal and behavioral problems," said Karen Hitchcock, president of the University at Albany, State University of New York.

"We fail if we do not make it a priority to create a campus and community environment that discourages substance use and supports the quality academic programs to which we are committed."

William DeJong, who directs the Higher Education Center at EDC, said that getting support from those at the highest echelons is key to preventing and reducing substance use on campuses. "Presidential leadership is a critical component of successful prevention efforts and of effective partnerships between the institutions and their surrounding communities," he said. "We are looking forward to seeing these presidents serve as change agents in their campus communities, and as models for other presidents who are looking to take action."

The expanded leadership group will build upon the activities of the original group, with members serving as prevention spokespersons, change agents, and mentors for other presidents. Members will also serve to further statewide and regional alcohol and other drug prevention efforts by adopting leadership roles in existing initiatives or taking the lead to develop statewide efforts where none currently exist.

The 26 new members were chosen for their proven leadership skills in substance abuse prevention, as well as for their plans for future efforts in alcohol and other drug prevention. The selection process required applicants to submit personal statements, letters of support from people within their institution and surrounding community, and biennial review reports—a federal reporting requirement under the Drug-Free Schools and Campuses Regulations.

To obtain a copy of the video Be Vocal, Be Visible, Be Visionary, which demonstrates how college officials can take a leadership role in preventing alcohol and other drug problems, visit www.edc.org/hec/plg/video.html. Or contact Helen Stubbs at hstubbs@edc.org.

Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania; Jessica Kozloff
California State University, Fresno; John Welty
California State University System; Charles B. Reed
Clarkson College; J. W. Upright
College of Santa Fe; Linda Hanson
Edgewood College; James Ebben
Frederick Community College; Patricia Stanley
Gustavus Adolphus College; Axel Steuer
Lehigh University; Gregory Farrington
The Ohio State University;William Kirwan
Prairie View A & M University; Charles Hines
SUNY, Potsdam; John Fallon
San Diego State University; Stephen Weber
Southeastern Louisiana University; Randy Moffett
Tennessee Wesleyan College; James Dawson
University at Albany, SUNY; Karen Hitchcock
University of Bridgeport;Neil Salonen
University of California Santa Barbara; Henry Yang
University of Delaware; David Roselle
University of Iowa; Mary Sue Coleman
University of Kentucky; Lee Todd
University of Puget Sound; Susan Pierce
University of Rhode Island;Robert Carothers
University of Missouri; Rolla Gary Thomas
University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg; Frank Cassell
University of San Diego; Alice Hayes
University of Wyoming; Philip Dubois
Vanderbilt University; Gordon Gee
Weber State University; Paul Thompson
West Virginia University, Parkersburg; Erik Bitterbaum
Western Washington University; Karen Morse

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