Experienced Public Health Scholar and Hazing Prevention Practitioner Joins StopHazing Team

StopHazing, the leading organization dedicated to hazing prevention through research-based initiatives, today announced the appointment of Dr. Laura Santacrose, DrPH, MPH, as Research & Practice Consultant. In this part-time role, Dr. Santacrose will collaborate with the StopHazing team and support research initiatives in coordination with the Hazing Prevention Research Lab at the University of Maine.

Dr. Santacrose brings over a decade of experience in developing, implementing, and evaluating hazing prevention and public health strategies to her new position. She earned her B.S. in Human Development from Cornell University, her MPH with a concentration in Social Behavior and Community Health from the University at Albany, and her Doctor in Public Health (DrPH) from George Washington University.

“We are thrilled to welcome Laura to the StopHazing team,” said Dr. Elizabeth J. Allan, Principal at StopHazing and Professor of Higher Education at the University of Maine. “Her unique combination of research expertise and practical experience in hazing prevention make her an invaluable addition to the team to support our mission of advancing research-based prevention strategies.”

Dr. Santacrose’s scholarly work has been published in peer-reviewed journals including the Journal of American College Health, Health Communication, and the American Journal of Public Health. She has presented at numerous national conferences, including NASPA Strategies and the American Public Health Association Annual Meeting.

As a former participant in the first Hazing Prevention Consortium (HPC) Cohort representing Cornell University, Dr. Santacrose brings firsthand experience with StopHazing’s signature research-to-practice initiative. “It is an honor to officially join the StopHazing team and contribute to their impactful mission-driven work, across the country, to further develop and disseminate an evidence-based approach to hazing prevention,” said Dr. Santacrose. Her work at Cornell University has focused on using a public health approach to address interconnected issues including hazing, sexual violence, alcohol and other drugs, and mental health and suicide.

In her new role, Dr. Santacrose will:

  • Collaborate on current and new empirical research projects
  • Assist with research-to-practice work related to the Hazing Prevention Consortium
  • Support resource development and facilitate trainings, webinars, and workshops
  • Help build capacity for StopHazing research initiatives
  • Contribute to content creation and refinement of prevention resources

“Laura’s experience as both a researcher and practitioner perfectly aligns with our research-to-practice model,” said Meredith Stewart, Operations Manager at StopHazing. “Her background in public health and years of experience with campus hazing prevention will strengthen our ability to support institutions nationwide in their prevention efforts.”

Dr. Santacrose also brings experience teaching public health to college students and consulting with campuses on comprehensive approaches to violence prevention. Her appointment supports StopHazing’s continued growth and commitment to advancing evidence-based hazing prevention strategies across higher education.

About StopHazing 

StopHazing is the leading national organization focused on hazing prevention in schools, colleges and universities, community organizations, and other group contexts. Through research, education, and advocacy, StopHazing works to create safer group experiences and prevent hazing. The organization leads the Hazing Prevention Consortium, a pathbreaking research-to-practice initiative that guides and supports campus hazing prevention while building an evidence base for efficacy. For more information, visit www.stophazing.org.

Media Contact: Laura Santacrose, DrPH, MPH
Research & Practice Consultant
StopHazing.org
laura@stophazing.org