Spring Recovery Conference

The 2026 Spring Recovery Conference theme is Creating a Community of Recovery: Creative and Innovative Pathways.

This is an opportunity to learn about recovery, addiction, support and so much more. This free event is open to students, employees, professionals, and community members.

This is an in-person event. However, the opening/plenary session and student panel will be available virtually also. Registered attendees will receive the link to participate virtually.

Conference Schedule

• 8:30–9 a.m., Check-in, Founders Hall Reception
• 9–10:20 a.m., Opening and Keynote Address (hybrid): Cannabis and Public Health Issues, by Dr. Ken C. Winters, SAM's, Auditorium
  • Webinar via Zoom. Meeting ID: 961 0268 3388, Passcode: 950958
• 10:30–11:20 a.m., Break Out Sessions
  • Session 1A: Understanding Cannabis in Minnesota by Dr. Julie Sanem, University of MN Cannabis Research Center, Auditorium
  • Session 1B: Finding balance between western/evidence-based and cultural/tradition-based practices for addiction and mental health recovery by Bryan Garcia, M Health Fairview, St. John’s Hall 153
  • Session 1C: Hobbies as Healing: Beyond the Friendship Bracelet by Dr. Jennifer Robinson, Diagnostic Associates of MN, St. John’s Hall 154
• 11:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m. Lunch, New Main Great Hall
• 12–1 p.m., Resource Fair (overlaps with lunch), New Main Great Hall
  Resource tables will remain open until the end of the day.
• 1–2 p.m., Student Panel (hybrid), Auditorium
  • Webinar via Zoom. Meeting ID: 961 0268 3388, Passcode: 950958
• 2:10–3 p.m., Break Out Sessions
  • Session 2A: Traditional Treatment: Universal, but Insufficient for People of Color by Kimberly Miller, Recovery in Color LLC, St. John’s Hall 153
  • Session 2B: Urban Gardening for Reentry, Recovery and Mental Health by Maurice Ward, Justice Impacted Individuals Voting Effectively, St. John’s Hall 154
• 3:10–4 p.m., Break Out Sessions
  • Session 3A: Opioid Response and Naloxone Training by Amy Lochli, Minneapolis College and Steve Rummler, Hope Network, Auditorium
  • Session 3B: Beyond Recovery: Cultivating Leadership, Adventure, and Connection by Mya Severson, Augsburg University StepUP Program, and student presenters: Elizabeth Voravong, Ritu Boyer-Conway, Teddy Roehrig, and Olivia Harron, St. John’s Hall 153
  • Session 3C: Indigenous Perspective: Creating Decolonized Recovery Ecosystems by Colin Cash, Pathfinders, St. John’s Hall 154
• 4 p.m., Departures

Resource Fair Participants

• MN Office of Addiction and Recovery
• Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School
• Alliance Wellness Center
• JIIVE
• MARRCH
• African American Survivor Services
• MN Recovery Connections
• Eating Disorders Anonymous
• Horowitz Integrated Services
• Ramsey County Mothers First
• P.E.A.S.E. Academy
• MARCO
• Alcohol and Drug Counseling
• Student Association, Metro State
• Ampact—Recovery Corps
• ANEW Chemical Health Services
• MN Adult & Teen Challenge
• StepUP Program
• Bold North Recovery
• Hennepin County
• Minneapolis College
• Boynton/Student Health Clinic, Minneapolis College
• Metro State University
• Fairview
• MN Hope Dealerz Org
• Recovering Hope Treatment Center

For more information: collegiate.recovery@metrostate.edu or 651.793.1579.

Ken C. Winters, PhD is a senior scientist at the Oregon Research Institute (MN location) and adjunct faculty in the Department of Psychology at the University of Minnesota. He retired as a professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Minnesota, where he founded and directed the Center for Adolescent Substance Abuse Research for 25 years.

Dr. Winters’ research focuses on the assessment and treatment of addictions, including adolescent substance use and problem gambling. He has received numerous grants from the National Institutes of Health and other foundations and has published more than 135 peer‑reviewed articles over a 30+ year career. In 2008, he received the Research to Evidence‑Based Practice Award from JMATE for his contributions to effective adolescent treatment.

A frequent speaker and trainer, Dr. Winters has served as a consultant to organizations such as the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, Partnership for Drug‑Free Kids, the National Center for Responsible Gaming, and the Mentor Foundation. He also co‑edited Contemporary Health Issues on Marijuana (Oxford University Press, 2018) with Kevin Sabet.

For more information: collegiate.recovery@metrostate.edu or 651.793.1579.