Program Presenter - Ryan Travia

Ryan M. Travia was recruited by Harvard University in 2005 as the first director of the newly created Office of Alcohol and Other Drug Services.  As the first substance abuse prevention specialist in the University’s history, Ryan’s leadership has seen the implementation of a multitude of programs that not only promote safer practices among students and monitor the effectiveness of University protocol regarding alcohol and other drug abuse, but have quantifiably lowered the number of alcohol-related problems at his institution. 

As a graduate of Boston College with an M.Ed.in Educational Administration, Ryan has developed a deep commitment to understanding and curtailing substance abuse among college students through a realistic, dialectical approach to education as prevention.  Many top educational institutions, including Yale, Tufts, Swarthmore, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Dartmouth have requested his expert assistance in addressing campus concerns with alcohol. 

His insights and experience have been heard at the Harvard Medical School/Cambridge Health Alliance “Treating the Addictions” Conference in 2007, the National Conference on the Social Norms Approach, also in 2007, and the New Hampshire Traffic Safety Conference in 2006. Keeping student involvement central in his efforts, Ryan serves as The BACCHUS Peer Education Network’s State Coordinator for Massachusetts, having previously served as State Coordinator for Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont.

Ryan maintains professional memberships in the American College Personnel Association, Massachusetts College Personnel Association, National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, American College Health Association, New England College Health Association, and the BACCHUS Network.  His energetic and visionary contributions to student leadership have been noted with such awards as Outstanding Peer Educator, Outstanding Student for Leadership in Promoting Healthy Behavior, and Outstanding Advisor through BACCHUS.  In 2007, the New England College Health Association presented Ryan with the prestigious President’s Award, honoring a dedicated leader in the educational community who demonstrates creativity and innovation.  Ryan continues to give tirelessly to improving the lives of students and helping them make positive personal decisions regarding substance use. 

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