Lori Garrett-Bumba
garrettbumba@marshall.edu
C-SPF-PFS Project Director
Lori Garrett-Bumba is the project director of the Collegiate Strategic Prevention Framework Partnership for Success program. The C-SPF-PFS seeks to enhance prevention infrastructure and build capacity among higher education institutes to prevent the onset and reduce the progression of alcohol, tobacco & vaping, marijuana & prescription drug misuse and its related problems among higher education students. She is a graduate of Ohio University and has received a West Virginia Social Work License. She is also a West Virginia Certified Prevention Specialist II. Garrett-Bumba serves on the WV Certification Board for Addiction and Prevention Professionals where she serves as an officer. She has over 15 years of experience in substance use prevention and has assisted on several local, regional and statewide committees and initiatives as a subject matter expert. She has extensive experience with strategic planning, coalition development, public relations, grants management and leadership skills. She has developed and provided numerous trainings on a variety of topics relating to substance use issues for professionals, key stakeholders and community members on a local, regional, state and national level. Garrett-Bumba has overseen numerous federal and state grants and implemented multiple prevention based initiatives throughout local communities and the state. She also has previous experience in the realm of behavioral health and mentoring.
Ethan Lambert, MPH
C-SPF-PFS Lead Epidemiologist
Ethan Lambert, MPH, is the Lead Epidemiologist for the Collegiate Strategic Prevention Framework Partnerships for Success. Ethan received both his Bachelor of Science in Public Health Epidemiology degree and his Master of Public Health degree from Indiana University Bloomington. He has previously worked on developing methods and protocols for assessing public health worker training needs, as well as developing and evaluating short-term programs geared towards engaging and empowering collegiate students and communities with public health.
Amy Saunders, M.A.
saunde22@marshall.edu
Managing Director
Marshall Center of Excellence for Recovery, MURC
Amy Saunders, M.A., is the managing director of the MU Center of Excellence for Recovery at Marshall University, where she oversees multiple behavioral health initiatives on campus and in the community. She received a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Marshall University and has over 20 years of experience working in the fields of behavioral health and public health. Saunders served as the director of Marshall’s Wellness Center for over fifteen years where she implemented multiple health and wellness initiatives on campus. She has served as the director of a school-based mental health program overseeing services to students in five middle schools. She has authored and received over 25 public and mental health-related grants where she has served as a Principal Investigator (PI) or as an Evaluator. Saunders has assisted with strategic planning and coalition development on campus and within the local community and state. She is a founding member of the Cabell County Substance Abuse Prevention Partnership and the West Virginia Collegiate Initiative to Address High-Risk Drinking and Substance Use, coalitions working to provide substance use education and prevention in West Virginia. She serves as an advisory member on the Governor’s Council on Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment.
Tammy L. Collins, Ph.D., CPS, OCPC
collins@marshall.edu
Lead Evaluator & Family Scientist
Marshall Center of Excellence for Recovery, MURC
Tammy L. Collins, Ph.D., IC&RC certified prevention specialist and Ohio Certified Prevention Consultant, has more than 25 years of experience in translating research into practice and policy in the fields of substance use disorders, mental health, justice, and education. She currently conducts applied research as Lead Evaluator for Marshall University Center of Excellence for Recovery, is the Family Scientist for WV Kids Count, and an evaluation consultant for projects in Union and Montgomery Counties in Ohio. Her doctorate of philosophy in human development and family science with a cognate area of adolescent behavioral health risk and protective factors was earned from The Ohio State University. She holds a Master of Arts in Counseling and a Bachelor of Arts in journalism/public relations from Marshall University. Dr. Collins has led administrative and applied research teams at Ohio and WV state agencies including being Deputy Director at the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services, Senior Research Analyst at the WV Supreme Court of Appeals, and Policy and Planning Coordinator at WV Division of Criminal Justice Services; as well as leading research and evaluation teams at The Ohio State University and Marshall University. Dr. Collins has served as a subject matter expert for national, state, and local prevention, youth and community development, and applied research projects.
Alyssa Milbee
milbee@marshall.edu
C-SPF-PFS Student Leader: Marshall University
Alyssa Milbee graduated with honors from Marshall University in December 2021, earning bachelor’s degrees in Biological Sciences and Health Sciences with minors in Chemistry and Pre-Professional Healthcare Studies. Alyssa is a current MS-1 at Marshall’s Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, and she has worked as the university’s C-SPF student leader since March 2021. Alyssa has conducted research on substance use and its implications on the health outcomes of minority and vulnerable populations, in addition to general health disparities, HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C, hypertension, and COVID-19 at the West Virginia Minority Health Institute within Marshall University’s Department of Public Health. Alyssa’s previous research projects have included collaboration with the Men’s Health Equity Institute, the Putnam County Health Department, and the Department of Health Sciences at Marshall, where Alyssa assisted with a National Public Health Week campaign for climate justice and environmental equity funded by the American Public Health Association’s Center for Climate, Health, and Equity. Alyssa served as a Senator for the College of Health Professions as a member of Marshall’s Student Government Association throughout her time as an undergraduate student, and she now serves as the SGA Executive Cabinet’s Graduate Student Liaison. Citing passions for clinical healthcare, policy, health communication, and public health, Alyssa enjoys utilizing our project’s resources to promote prevention science infrastructure and research.
Manasa Dittakavi
C-SPF-PFS Student Leader: WV SOM
My name is Manasa Dittakavi, and I am a second-year osteopathic medical student at West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine. My passion lies in advocating for preventative healthcare and implementing holistic care practices for my future patients. Prior to pursuing medicine, I studied biopsychology, cognition, and neuroscience at the University of Michigan, where I developed a deep understanding of the intricate workings of the human mind and body. I firmly believe in the power of preventative measures to improve individual and community well-being. Through becoming a C-SPF student leader and my medical training, I strive to educate others about healthy behaviors. My ultimate goal is to transform healthcare by making preventative care a cornerstone of wellness, providing comprehensive, accessible care that addresses both physical and emotional aspects of health.
Fayth Laxton
C-SPF-PFS Student Leader: WVU Institute of Technology
Fayth Laxton is a junior forensic investigative science major at WVU Tech. Fayth is passionate about advocating for at-risk individuals in her community and spends her free time volunteering. She is also the president of WVU Tech’s LGBTQ+ student organization, Tech Alliance. Fayth plans to become a crime scene investigator and forensic reconstruction analyst. Fayth feels that programs like C-SPF are important in breaking down stereotypes of people, especially in Appalachia.
Travis Striker
C-SPF-PFS Student Leader: Mountwest CTC
Hi, my name is Travis Striker and I am currently in my sophomore year for the social work program at Mountwest CTC. I am extremely compassionate about helping people with substance use disorders and I cannot wait to graduate and get into the field.
Paul Webb
C-SPF-PFS Student Leader: Bluefield State University
My name is Paul Webb, presently a Junior at Bluefield State University. I am pursuing a bachelor’s degree in the social sciences with further academic aspirations down the road. Addiction has had a very personal impact upon my life and with a renewed sense of passion and drive I seek to be able to help with the prevention of addiction because I believe in the old adage of, an ounce of prevention being far better than a pound of cure. I seek to have a positive impact in this way among my peers and community. I presently volunteer with the West Virginia Leadership Academy and am a certified facilitator of the IC&RC accredited peer recovery curriculum.
Amber Edwards
C-SPF-PFS Student Leader: Concord University
Amber Edwards is a senior at Concord University majoring in Pre-Professional Health Science with concentrations in Biology and Criminology. Amber is involved in the Bonner Scholar Program, Collegiate Recovery Network, CU Prevention and Recovery Organization, and Student Government Association. Her interests mainly are to promote prevention and provide students, staff, and community members with program information. She enjoys helping people of all ages by providing them assistance with programs. Amber has furthered her reach for prevention by becoming a part of C-SPF as a Student Leader for Concord University.
Kaname Bryant
C-SPF-PFS Student Leader: West Virginia State University
Kaname Bryant is a student leader, as well as a sophomore year level psychology major attending West Virginia State University. He holds a roster position on the WVSU Track & Field team as a sprinter, specializing in the 100 meter and 200 meter dashes. As a student, he sees first hand that substance abuse is a problem for his generation or will be a problem for them in the future, so he believes in proper education on the effects of all drugs and substances, as well as proper prevention strategies for all students, but starting with him and the other student leaders.
Barry Loo
C-SPF-PFS Student Leader: Bridge Valley Community and Technical College
I recently retired from the Air Force after 20+ years of service. While that fight is over for me, my new fight will be helping others with prevention, especially substance abuse prevention. My goals include: promote awareness and advocacy, foster a supportive campus culture, encourage peer-to-peer support, collaborate with campus departments, lead initiatives for wellness and growth, and support academic success.
Jacob Graham
C-SPF-PFS Student Leader: Bridge Valley Community and Technical College
Hello, my name Jacob Graham I am a 55-year-old freshman from Newark, New Jersey by way of the Eastern Panhandle of West Virgina. I never thought I would be in this area but upon coming here I love the atmosphere, the community and the people. I am a classically trained musician. I play the piano and have been playing the piano since I was six years old I am also a chef who specializes in Italian cuisine. I am an amateur DJ in my spare time, and I love to play video games, hence my major which is cybersecurity and network administration. I am a divorced father of 6 and a grandfather of 9, I am also a recovering addict who is learning to live, love and enjoy life to its fullest without using any mind mood or chemical substance. Age is nothing but a number and I am living proof that an old dog can learn new tricks. I look forward to the opportunity to meet new people and do new things and gain friends along the way. I am excited and ready to share my hope, experience and wisdom with anyone willing to listen and hopefully help someone along the way. Feel free to speak to me anytime you see me. I welcome the introduction and if I can help, please let me know and if I can’t do it, I will lead you to who can. Thank you and have a blessed day.
Nikolas Sirianni
C-SPF-PFS Student Leader: Bridge Valley Community and Technical College
“Hello, my name is Nikolas Sirianni and I am a proud Bridge Valley CTC student studying Higher Education. I worked for Kanawha County Schools as an autism Aide as well as a special education aide. I proudly have my CPI (Crisis Prevention Intervention) License. I love helping anyone I can with any chance I’m able to get, that’s why being a C-SPF-PFS Student Leader is very important for me as the role hits close to home and I’m able to strive more than ever with resources I have available to make sure each student receives the help they need. I’m always open to having a chat whenever you need. Fun fact, I love bowling, any chance I get to relieve stress and I love all types of music.”
Jillian Sowards
C-SPF-PFS Student Leader: Mountwest CTC
My name is Jillian Sowards, and I’m currently a freshman at Mountwest CTC. I am pursuing a degree in sonography. I’ve been involved with prevention work for about three years. The more I’ve learned about prevention the more I have grown to love it. I’ve seen how teaching prevention can help newer generations. I wish to expose more people to the information I have gained over my years.