Assistant Director Collegiate Recovery, Prevention and Research

Position Summary

The Assistant Director for Collegiate Recovery, Prevention and Research is an inaugural leadership role focused on advancing translational research in substance misuse prevention. This position is responsible for bridging scientific discovery and community insight to develop and implement effective, evidence-based strategies that promote student well-being and public health. The Assistant Director fosters a recovery-supportive campus environment by developing and overseeing programs for students in recovery and leading the Collegiate Recovery Community.

This position spearheads innovative, data-informed initiatives that address maladaptive behaviors and promote lifelong protective habits related to alcohol and other drugs (AOD), and champions policies and campaigns that support holistic student wellness.

In addition to leading a research program that translates scientific findings into practical prevention strategies, the Assistant Director also oversees the planning, implementation, and evaluation of AOD prevention and harm reduction initiatives aligned with university well-being priorities. This role includes conducting assessments, building capacity, and engaging in strategic planning to support prevention efforts. The Assistant Director supervises and mentors graduate interns and student peer educators, playing a vital role in shaping a campus culture that supports recovery, resilience, and academic success.

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent and 5 years of professional experience

• UHC Minimum:
• Master's degree in public health, Student Affairs, Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or related field.
• Two years of full-time experience in substance misuse prevention and education working with individuals from various backgrounds.
• Certified Peer Specialist in Addictive Disease.
• 3-5 years of knowledge and experience working with individuals related to substance use, misuse, abuse, dependency, addiction, comorbid health conditions, motivational interviewing, stages of change, and current and emerging AOD trends with a college population in an academic environment.
• 3-5 years of experience working with and creating content, presentations, workshops, and trainings that will engage a broad range of young adult/student population on alcohol and other drugs and other related health issues.
• 3-5 years of experience translating basic scientific discoveries into tangible prevention strategies, which involve development and maintenance of educational programs on the causes of addiction and the best methods to assess and treat the disorder. Translate and apply knowledge from research to a university setting and the community at large.

• Provides strategic leadership as a key member of the Center for Student Wellbeing’s leadership team, advancing initiatives that promote student success, empowerment, and wellbeing.
• Directs the development and implementation of a comprehensive University-wide strategy for AOD (alcohol and other drug) use/misuse prevention, ensuring alignment with national best practices and current research; partners with the Executive Director to drive environmental strategies that influence AOD outcomes on campus.
• Manages the planning, delivery, and assessment of AOD-related programs, educational workshops/trainings, and outreach efforts, ensuring relevance and effectiveness in areas such as screening, substance use/abuse, social norms, and recovery.
• Leads the formation and ongoing coordination of a campus-community coalition, guiding collaborative efforts to establish long-term, sustainable strategies for substance misuse prevention.
• Supervises and supports peer education initiatives and student-centered programming facilitated by the CRC Coordinator and AOD Specialist, ensuring alignment with departmental priorities.
• Supervises CRC Coordinator’s on‑going case management of CRC students.
• Provides expert consultation and training to professional staff across campus on substance-related issues, ensuring consistent application of evidence‑informed…