With a history of success in hazing prevention education, Hazing Prevention Network redesigned the Hazing Prevention Institute™ in 2022, commissioning Emily Perlow, Ph.D., to create a two-day curriculum grounded in the latest research and best practices for building comprehensive, campuswide hazing prevention. Developed in collaboration with Penn State’s Piazza Center, the Institute’s research-informed program addresses hazing motivators at the individual, organizational, and community levels, guides participants in applying prevention concepts to their specific context, and equips them with strategies to disrupt hazing cultures. Attendees also gain change management tools and leave with clear, actionable steps to strengthen their hazing prevention programs.

Who Should Attend

Preventing hazing requires a coordinated, campuswide effort. The Hazing Prevention Institute brings together campus and organization professionals from a range of departments to ensure prevention strategies are understood, supported, and implemented across the community. While student affairs and fraternity/sorority life staff are key participants, the Institute also benefits athletics administrators, coaches, residence life staff, campus safety and law enforcement, counseling and wellness professionals, conduct officers, diversity and inclusion leaders, and faculty advisors. Each contributes unique expertise and influence, making prevention efforts more comprehensive, culturally relevant, and effective.

Why In-Person Matters

The Institute’s in-person format creates a dynamic environment for collaboration, candid discussion, and peer learning that simply isn’t possible online. Being together in the same room fosters trust, encourages institution-specific problem solving, and builds lasting professional networks. Facilitators tailor sessions to participants’ policies and cultures, using hands-on scenarios and real-time feedback to deepen engagement, sharpen skills, and unify prevention efforts.

Program Format

Using Penn State’s Piazza Center Horizontal Hazing Model, the Institute examines motivators and deterrents to hazing at every level of campus life. Learning unfolds through large-group sessions and focused small-group work, where participants apply research-based strategies to their own environments. Each attendee leaves with a customized, actionable plan to strengthen hazing prevention on their campus or within their organization.

Outcomes

As a result of participating in the Hazing Prevention Institute:

• Participants will describe individual, organizational, and community level hazing motivators and barriers to hazing reduction.
• Participants will describe three ways the Piazza Horizontal Hazing Model can be applied to their campus/organization.
• Participants will apply the four components of situational strength to their campus/organization and will identify four strategies to disrupt situational strength.
• Participants will identify four change management strategies they can employ in their hazing reduction efforts.
• Participants will create a plan for enacting a comprehensive hazing prevention program. Three months post-institute, participants will report having taken steps outlined on their plan.

Hazing Prevention through the Eyes of a Student Conduct Officer

On Wednesday, June 24, we welcome Douglas Bell, Ph. D., for a keynote address exploring hazing prevention from the perspective of a student conduct office, highlighting how policy, accountability, and education intersect to shape campus culture. Grounded in real-world practice, it offers insights into identifying risk, responding effectively, and building systems that promote safer, values-driven communities.

Dr. Bell is the Director for Student Community Standards at Texas A&M University.  As the Director of the Department of Student Community Standards, Dr. Bell is responsible for the Student Conduct Office, Student Organization Accountability, and the Investigations Office at Texas A&M. Douglas holds a doctorate in College Student Affairs Administration from the University of Georgia. Before Texas A&M, Douglas served as the Associate Director of Residential Life at the University of Houston. Douglas has also served at the University of Georgia, where he worked in student conduct, and the University of West Florida, where he worked in residence life.

About Emily Perlow, Ph.D.

Dr. Emily Perlow is the Vice President and Dean of Students at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, a Lecturer in the Counselor Education and Family Therapy Program at Central Connecticut State University, and is a Research Affiliate in the Center for Student Success Research at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. She has a Ph.D. in Educational Policy from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst and an MA in College Student Personnel from Bowling Green State University. Her research in the area of hazing focuses on the role hazing plays in the construction and performance of gender identity enacted through adult play behaviors. She most recently co-authored a monograph on hazing prevention and intervention research at the high school and college level. In addition to serving as the co-chair emeritus of the NASPA fraternity/sorority knowledge community, she volunteered for many years with the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors and Alpha Gamma Delta. Her research interests include hazing, masculinity, deviance among college populations, and marginalized populations in STEM.

About Will Frankenberger, Ph.D.

Dr. Will Frankenberger is the Chief Safety Officer for Delta Zeta National Sorority and a prevention educator whose work focuses on health, safety, and well-being within fraternity and sorority communities. In his role with Delta Zeta, he leads the development and implementation of national prevention strategies addressing hazing, alcohol and drug misuse, sexual violence prevention, mental health and wellness, and interpersonal conflict. His work emphasizes translating research and public health frameworks into practical interventions that are sustainable for students, volunteers, national organizations, and campuses. Frankenberger’s professional training is grounded in adult education and public health-informed prevention practice. His work has contributed to the growing adoption of public health frameworks, particularly in shifting organizational approaches from reactive risk management models toward proactive, prevention-oriented strategies. Through his program design and educational initiatives, he has helped integrate population-level prevention thinking, behavior change theory, and environmental strategies into intervention development for collegiate communities.

As a scholar–practitioner, Frankenberger’s research and facilitation explore hazing prevention, influence and decision making, drug and alcohol trends, mental wellness support, and conflict communication within collegiate communities. Frankenberger is a certified Mental Health First Aid trainer and frequently presents at national conferences and professional development programs for fraternity and sorority professionals, volunteers, and student leaders. His work centers on helping organizations operationalize research-informed prevention strategies that strengthen student wellbeing, organizational accountability, and healthier campus communities.

Participants who complete the Hazing Prevention Institute™ will receive a completion credential through Certifier that is available in an online format so that they can retrieve it anywhere, anytime, and use it in a variety of ways including:

• Add to your LinkedIn profile
• Share it on social media to showcase your skills
• Download certificate in PDF format for printing

Hazing Prevention Network has been approved by the Higher Education Consortium for Student Affairs Certification to provide CE credit for Certified Student Affairs Educators (CSAEd™). Programs that qualify for CE credit in this program are clearly identified. Hazing Prevention Network is solely responsible for all aspects of this program. 

The Hazing Prevention Institute™ is held annually and open to participants from any campus or organization, offering valuable training for individuals committed to ending hazing. For an even greater impact, consider hosting an Institute on your own campus or within your university system. Bringing the program directly to your institution allows staff from across departments—student affairs, athletics, residence life, safety, wellness, faculty advisors, and more—to learn together, address your specific policies and culture, and develop coordinated strategies. This shared experience fosters stronger collaboration, deeper buy-in, and a unified approach to preventing hazing across your entire community. Learn more about hosting the Hazing Prevention Institute™. . .

Once you have completed and submitted the Hazing Prevention Institute registration form, you are considered registered regardless of payment status. Cancellations made prior to April 30, 2026, will result in a refund of all but a $50 processing fee. Cancellations made between May 1, 2026, and June 5, 2026, will result in a refund of 50% less a $50 processing fee. Cancellations made after June 5, 2026, are non-refundable.

If you have questions about the Hazing Prevention Institute, contact Todd Shelton, Executive Director.

Hazing Prevention Institute™ curriculum developed for the Hazing Prevention Network by Emily Perlow, Ph.D., in collaboration with the Piazza Center through funding from the Max Gruver Foundation and Phi Delta Theta Fraternity.

in collaboration with the Penn State’s Piazza Center

June 23-24, 2026
Indianapolis, Indiana

NCAA Hall of Champions
& Conference Center
700 W Washington St
Indianapolis, IN 46204

Registration is open. If you are registering a group of four (4) or more individuals, email Todd Shelton for a discount code BEFORE starting registration.

Early bird rate: $499 (through March 30)
Regular Registration: $624 (April 1 through May 30)
Late Registration: $749 (June 1 through June 13)

Download PDF of 2025 schedule here for reference. The 2026 schedule will be available in early 2026.

The Hazing Prevention Institute™ has a hotel block ($209/night) available at the Courtyard Indianapolis Downtown—a short walk across the street from the NCAA Hall of Champions & Conference Center. 

MAKE RESERVATION

Courtyard Indianapolis Downtown
601 W Washington St
Indianapolis, IN 46204