Description

The Office of Alcohol & Other Drug Program Initiatives is a unique department, designed to coordinate the implementation of the goals, objectives and activities of the Working Group on Alcohol Abuse as well as help shape, define and execute future alcohol and other drug prevention initiatives. The Office of Alcohol & Other Drug Program Initiatives ensures communication amongst University stakeholders, including, but not limited to the Provost's Office, General Counsel, Vice Provost for University Life, Public Safety, Risk Management, Health Education, current students and families, and alumni. This department serves as a central data collection site, tracking reports from Public Safety, College Houses, and Student Health, as well as, spearheading campus-wide surveys to establish baseline data of student attitudes, perceptions, and behaviors, and track changes in these figures over the next several years. The Office strives to move the University onto the national scene as a leader in alcohol abuse prevention. We expected to offer expert knowledge to the University community, parents, students, alumni, the media, and peer institutions.

The specific goals of the WGAA, which the Office is responsible for ensuring implementation of, are:

1. Increasing and enhancing alcohol education
2. Ensuring a supportive environment
3. Ensuring individual and group responsibility and accountability
4. Minimizing Risk
5. Expanding Social Options

Mission of the Office of Alcohol & Other Drug Program Initiatives

To fulfill the mission of the University of Pennsylvania by helping to remove alcohol and other drug difficulties which impede the efforts of students in achieving academic success

To ensure that the stated goals and initiatives of the Working Group on Alcohol Abuse are continually and successfully implemented, evaluated, and revised as necessary

To serve the Penn community as a centralized and confidential alcohol and other drug prevention resource

To collaborate with University faculty, staff, community partners, and students to integrate effective and relevant policies, enforcement practices, and education programs into one comprehensive environmental management program to achieve the stated goals

To identify methods to reduce high-risk alcohol and other drug behaviors, control and mitigate campus environments where potential for abusive behavior exists, and foster a campus culture in which non-alcoholic activities are plentiful and successful

To serve as a central data collection source to track alcohol and other drug trends in behaviors, negative consequences, and incidents

To develop and uphold partnerships with nationally recognized alcohol and other drug prevention researchers, practitioners, and organizations in order to improve upon and further Penn's prevention goals

About the Office

the Office of Alcohol & Other Drug Program Initiatives is housed within the Office of the Vice Provost of University Life. The Director works collaboratively with the Office of Health Education

	Julie Lyzinski, M.Ed. Director Julie came to Penn in the Fall of 2005 from Chicago. Having received her Masters in Human Services and Counseling from DePaul University in 2003, Julie worked in the Mental Health and Substance Abuse field with high risk young adult populations in Chicago. Julie began with the University as the Intervention Specialist overseeing the First Step program and is now the Director for the Office of Alcohol and Other Drug Program Initiatives which oversees all alcohol and other drug prevention, education and intervention programs for Penn students. The Office of Alcohol and Other Drug Program Initiatives was given the highest level of recognition by the US Department of Education in 2008 and was a awarded as one of two national "Exemplary Models Programs for Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention in Higher Education" for its work with high risk populations.
	Ellen Trappey Associate Director Ellen is a substance abuse counselor who has been working with college students since 2004. She recieved an M.Ed. in Community Counseling from Lynchburg College and a B.A. in Classics from Millsaps College. Before coming to the University of Pennsylvania, Ellen directed the substance abuse program at Saint Joseph's University. She has also worked as a wellness educator and in victim services at a sexual assault response center. Here at Penn, Ellen will meet with students through the First Step Program.
	Steve McCann Wellness Coordinator Steve has been a longtime employee of the University going on 8 years now. He comes to us from Penn State University where he has a degree in Human Sexuality. Steve works in conjunction with the Office of Health Education
	Molly Saweikis Data Analyst Bio coming soon...
	Aashna Puri Work Study Bio coming soon...