Roxanne Bilby
has been named Rogers State University’s first full-time drug prevention coordinator.
Bilby’s hiring was the result of a $200,000 Higher Education Prevention Services (HEPS) grant through the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse services.
This grant was designed to provide education regarding drug abuse to RSU students, faculty and staff, and to address suicide awareness and education.
“This is a new position at RSU,” Bilby said. “There are other drug prevention coordinators employed at universities across Oklahoma. OU, OSU and NSU, for example, have this position on their campus to provide education surrounding substance misuse, with the goal of preventing students from falling into unhealthy patterns of substance use – whether that’s now or in their later life.”
In the role of drug prevention coordinator, Bilby will be involved with data collection, distributing materials to support safety and prevention, such as medicine lock boxes and Detera Disposal Pouches for safe disposal of prescription drugs, hosting educational events and drug awareness programs and workshops, and hosting campus coalition meetings for conversations about drug misuse prevention strategies on campus.
“Our first campus coalition meeting will be the first week after Thanksgiving,” she said. “I’ve made some invitations, but this will be an open meeting. Anyone is welcome to attend. Once we finalize certain availabilities, we’ll be announcing the time and location.”
Bilby started full-time in October 2023, coming to the Hill with a background in social services and with non-profits, most recently at Volunteers for Youth and before that at Lindsey House in Tulsa, where she served as a case manager for women who had been incarcerated.
“While I was at Volunteers for Youth, my position there was connected to the Rogers County Drug Abuse Program, which is outpatient services for folks that are working through substance use disorders,” she said. “That has always been a point of interest for me – learning about how substance misuse impacts the brain and the body and methods for preventing that. It can often, but not always, be rooted in some form of trauma.”
Bilby also will actively coordinate services with the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services funded prevention and treatment service providers, as well as local educational agencies.
“Roxanne comes to us with over three years’ experience working with grants,” said Jeana Rae Conn, JD, interim vice president for student affairs and director of student conduct and development. “She has a heart for the non-profit world, and this grant allows her to work closely with the student population on a subject matter that is critical right now in the state of Oklahoma.”
As RSU’s drug prevention coordinator, Bilby said she hopes to bring more education and awareness about substance abuse to campus, equipping students and others with information and resources for a safe, healthy life.
“I see great potential for every person I encounter, and I believe every human being has gifts, skills and talents that can positively contribute to the community,” she said. “I look forward to making a difference here at RSU and helping people recognize their own potential.”
Bilby will be working in the Office of Student Affairs on campus.
A native Tulsan, Bilby graduated from the University of Tulsa in the spring of 2018 with a degree in sociology. She is currently pursuing an MBA at Rogers State University.
She also contributes to campus ministry efforts at RSU, with Ignite Campus Ministry.
For more information or resources about drug prevention, contact Bilby at 918-899-4004 or [email protected].