Susan Cohen was among approximately 30 alcohol and other drug and violence prevention experts selected by the center to promote campus and community safety through substance abuse prevention programs on college campuses.

Cohen started her new role this month.

During her two-year appointment, Cohen will provide technical assistance and training to colleges and universities concerned about drug and alcohol use on their campus.

"Drug use, especially alcohol use, is of critical importance to health education staff, student affairs staff, as well as faculty," Cohen said. "Learning how to balance school, new relationships and many new expectations can be very challenging. When drugs and alcohol use are added into the mix, it can be a very tricky time for students to learn how to set guidelines for their own behaviors.

"I hope to assist college personnel who have an interest in advancing policies and programs to create and maintain a healthy student population where drug and alcohol use is concerned," she said.

Cohen received her bachelor's degree in health education and her master's degree in public health from CSUN.

The Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention serves as a national resource center for institutions of higher education concerned with reducing alcohol and other drug use.

California State University, Northridge has more than 30,000 full- and part-time students and offers 63 bachelor's and 51 master's degrees. Founded in 1958, it is the only four-year university in the San Fernando Valley and the third largest in the 23-campus CSU system. The Western Association of Schools and Colleges recently said CSUN "stands as a model to other public urban institutions of higher educationŠ"