Mercyhurst receives Pennsylvania liquor control board grant

Mercyhurst University has received a $48,512 Reducing Underage Drinking and Dangerous Drinking (RUDD) Grant from the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) Bureau of Alcohol Education to launch Community Health, Ownership, Informed Choices, and Empowered Students (C.H.O.I.C.E.S.), a new student wellness initiative. The competitive two-year grant will support innovative, evidence-informed strategies designed to reduce underage and high-risk drinking, promote responsible decision-making, and enhance student well-being.

Through C.H.O.I.C.E.S., students will have greater access to peer educators, individualized services, campus-wide educational campaigns, wellness programming, and opportunities to develop the knowledge and skills needed to make healthy decisions throughout their college experience. The initiative also brings together partners across the university to create a coordinated approach to prevention and student well-being.

“At Mercyhurst, student well-being is fundamental to student success,” said Sue Sweeney, executive director of campus health and well-being and project director. “Through C.H.O.I.C.E.S., we are empowering students with the knowledge and support to make informed decisions about alcohol, reduce risk, and develop healthy habits that contribute to their overall well-being and success.”

Over the next two years, grant funding will support peer education, social norms campaigns, individualized screening and early intervention services, campus-wide educational efforts, and ongoing assessment to ensure programming continues to meet the evolving needs of Mercyhurst students. C.H.O.I.C.E.S. represents a collaborative effort among Student Life, Campus Health and Well-Being, Athletics, Residence Life, Student Conduct, and other campus partners to foster a culture of care across the university.

“C.H.O.I.C.E.S. reflects Mercyhurst’s commitment to educating and supporting the whole person,” said Dr. Laura Zirkle, vice president for student life and athletics. “This initiative brings together the expertise and care that exist across our campus to create a community where students feel connected and empowered to thrive. We are grateful to the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board for its investment in our students and their success.”

The PLCB’s RUDD Grant Program supports innovative, evidence-informed initiatives aimed at reducing underage drinking and dangerous drinking among adults of legal drinking age while promoting responsible alcohol consumption. Through C.H.O.I.C.E.S., Mercyhurst continues its tradition of educating the whole person and equipping students with the knowledge, relationships, and resources to thrive academically, personally, and socially.