Ep. 74 - Charity Stutzman: Future Proofing Student Wellbeing with Data Driven Prevention

Charity Stutzman, Senior Director of Higher Education Strategy at Vector Solutions, unpacks the groundbreaking findings from the latest Campus Prevention Network National Insights Report.

With over 15 years in student affairs—including as Assistant Dean of Students at the University of Texas at Arlington—Charity brings a frontline perspective to a dramatic cultural shift: students are increasingly choosing not to drink, driven by mental health, finances, and a desire for control.

They dive into what this means for prevention work, the rise of cannabis use, and how campuses can move from fear-based messaging to support, belonging, and skill-building. Charity also shares how tools like AlcoholEdu and CannabisEdu provide real-time data to help institutions respond proactively, and why tying student wellbeing directly to career readiness is the future of higher ed strategy.

For anyone in student affairs, prevention, or institutional leadership, this conversation is an essential look at the data reshaping student success.

Key Takeaways

1. A Rapid Cultural Shift is Underway – The number of students abstaining from alcohol has jumped significantly in just two years, with 64% of incoming students citing negative health consequences as a reason—up from 55% in 2023. Younger students are driving this change, breaking long-held stereotypes about college drinking culture.
2. Prevention Must Shift from Risk Reduction to Reinforcement – With more students already making healthy choices, campuses should focus on reinforcing positive behaviors, building skills, and creating environments that support wellbeing—not just warning about risks.
3. Cannabis Use Presents a Dual Challenge & Opportunity – As cannabis becomes legal and socially normalized, institutions need to provide education on safety, mental health connections, and risk reduction, tailored to their state and campus environment.
4. Protective Factors Are Stacking Up – Students are prioritizing mental health, tight friend groups, financial pressure, and academics—making not drinking a logical choice. Campuses can leverage this by promoting healthy hubs like campus recreation centers.
5. See Students as Whole Individuals – Support must move beyond isolated behaviors to address the mix of stress, identity, finances, and academic pressure. This requires breaking down silos and adopting a case-management approach to student care.
6. Data-Driven Tools Enable Real-Time Insight – Platforms like Alcohol EDU and Cannabis EDU give campuses real-time data, benchmarking, and tailored pathways (e.g., for abstainers or survivors), helping them spot trends and adjust support before issues escalate.
7. Upskill Faculty & Staff for Holistic Support – Faculty and staff should be trained to engage students across the eight dimensions of wellness and refer them appropriately, creating safe, supportive touchpoints throughout the student journey.
8. Be Ready to Pivot Quickly – Higher ed moves slowly, but today’s student trends shift fast. Institutions need mechanisms to adapt policies, programs, and resources swiftly—even when outcomes are uncertain—to stay relevant and responsive.

 

Find Charity Stutzman:

LinkedIn                              

https://www.linkedin.com/in/charity-stutzman-9a4a1121/

Vector Solutions

https://www.vectorsolutions.com/

 

And find EdTech Connect here:

Web: https://edtechconnect.com/