DeJong Wins Award

Dr. William DeJong received the Outstanding Contribution to the Field Award presented at the 22nd annual U.S. Department of Education’s National Meeting on Alcohol, Other Drugs and Violence Prevention in Higher Education on November 16th. DeJong, a recognized expert in AOD prevention, served for nearly a decade as director of the U.S. Department of Education’s Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Prevention, operated by HHD.

The award, presented by The Network Addressing Collegiate Alcohol and Other Drug Issues, recognizes professionals in the alcohol and other drug prevention field who have gone above and beyond their position to impact the work of many individuals. DeJong is acknowledged for empowering higher education campuses with resources to address alcohol, other drug abuse, and related health concerns.

Throughout the public health community, DeJong is known for his personal integrity and commitment to developing evidence-based approaches that address substance use among college students. His research on effective prevention strategies has been instrumental in creating the expectation that prevention practices are both grounded in theory and supported by evidence of effectiveness.

During his tenure at the Higher Education Center from 1995-2004, DeJong led the development of the Center’s Statewide Initiatives program. He also spearheaded the environmental management approach to prevention, based on the premise that substance use problems are aggravated by a physical, social, economic, and legal environment that increases both the availability and appeal of alcohol and other drugs. He recognized the need for campuses and communities to join together in their work to reduce the consequences associated with college age students’ substance abuse.

DeJong is the author of over 350 publications in the diverse fields of social psychology, criminal justice, public health communications, and alcohol and other drug prevention. His current research in workforce development—identifying basic and advanced professional preparation needs for prevention providers—will assist the profession in meeting the prevention programming needs of students and engaging key stakeholders in effective prevention practices. He presently serves as a Senior Advisor to the Higher Education Center.