Center for Addiction Prevention & Support

Steven Seiler, Ph.D., MSW, CPS I

Professor, Sociology
Director

Dr. Steven Seiler is a sociological social psychologist and social worker. He began his career as a sociologist focused on general social research on the impact of social technology on the self and personal relationships. However, his professional focus shifted to community engagement in substance misuse prevention and recovery around 2015. Since then, he has worked closely with Power of Putnam on prevention effort on campus and in the community. Additionally, to further strengthen his knowledge and preparedness to serve our community, he pursued a Masters in Social Work and attended the CADCA’s National Coalition Academy. He also works part-time as a mental health therapist within the community.

 

Elizabeth Ramsey, Ph.D., CFLE

Assistant Professor, Human Ecology
Assistant Director

After years working in the field as a Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE), Family Mediator, Public School Educator, Women’s and Children’s Ministry Director, and Developmental Specialist, Dr. Ramsey is Assistant Professor at Tennessee Technological University in Human Ecology and serves as the Assistant Director of TN CAPS.

Dr. Ramsey’s areas of research include Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS); training and education of foster parents; social health education in public school systems; implementation of Trauma Informed Care in helping professions; the mitigation and prevention of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)– abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction; and building resilience in children and families who have experienced ACEs and/or trauma.

My Personal Why

At the peak of the national opioid crisis, I had a dear friend who was fostering an infant with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS). The baby spent a week in the NICU at Vanderbilt being treated for NAS. When he was released, he exhibited many symptoms of withdrawal including tremors, irritability, vomiting, blotchy skin, and high pitch inconsolable crying to name a few. I’ll never forget the first time I held him – tiny, shaking, unsettled, and reeking of vomit in my arms– I had this overwhelming urge to make a difference for him and all babies like him. But where do you start? The answer became clear after years of research: the moms–the baby had a birth mother who struggled with substance use, and her struggle did not just happen out of nowhere. She had a background of unimaginable trauma. Knowing that Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and trauma is a generational cycle and that SUDs are correlated with abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction, I became a champion of prevention, recovery, and building resilience for all individuals and families.

 

Matthew Silvey, MSSW, JD

Lecturer, Department of Sociology & Political Science
Support Coordinator

Matt Silvey is a social worker, attorney, and lecturer. His clinical experience includes community mental health, forensic social work in the public defense system, hospice care, and public guardianship, as well as private psychotherapy practice with individuals, couples, and families. He has provided legal representation to low-income and otherwise vulnerable citizens in the Upper Cumberland in a broad range of civil issues including divorce, domestic violence protective orders, debt collection defense, predatory lending practices, public housing and eviction defense, and administrative proceedings related to access to public health and benefits. He currently teaches social work values, concepts, and ethics, with a specific interest in the intersection of professional practice, public policy, and the justice system. Matt is a proud Tennessee Tech alum.

My Personal Why:

In my professional work and in my personal life, I have witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of substance misuse. Much of my career has been spent helping people navigate a complicated healthcare system and cope with the stress of change. Along the way, I have found that the most effective interventions reduce stigma, increase access to care and community, and create lasting support systems. That’s a big part of what we do at CAPS. I strongly believe that building and supporting inclusive communities for those seeking lasting recovery from substance misuse (as well as emotional and behavioral difficulties) is essential work in a just society.

 

Adrienne Lees

Senior Prevention Coordinator 

Adrienne Lees graduated from Tennessee Tech in May of 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Human Ecology with a focus on Human Development and Family Sciences. While at Tennessee Tech Adrienne earned the Outstanding Human Development and Family Science Student in 2023 award and graduated Magna Cum Laude. Adrienne is currently working towards her Masters of Science in Social Work at The University of Tennessee – Knoxville.

My Personal Why

The reason I love working for The Center for Addiction Prevention and Support is because I personally lost many years of my life and beloved friends to addiction. I know firsthand how crucial support during your emerging adult years can be and providing that to Tennessee Tech’s college students and emerging adults in the community gives me great joy.

 

Garrett Travis

Support Specialist

Garrett Travis is an undergraduate student in the Communications program with a concentration in Journalism. He is a United States Marine Corps veteran who worked as a Special Operations Capabilities Specialist - Communicator. He deployed to East Africa, supporting 1st Marine Raider Battalion in Djibouti, Kenya, and Somalia. He is an active member in the Student Veteran Organization and is expected to graduate in 2027.

My Personal Why

During my time in the military, I watched young men and woman lose everything to substance misuse and mental health challenges. Those challenges seem to become catastrophic to many when they transition to the civilian world. Personally, I have had to deal with many of those challenges and understand how important this work is for a healthy community. It’s a great honor to be able to help build and maintain an inclusive support system for those seeking recovery.

 

Kathryn Dye

Prevention Specialist

Kathryn Dye is currently in her final year of her undergraduate degree, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Human Ecology with a dual focus in Human Development and Family Sciences and Child Life, along with a dual minor in Spanish and Social Science. Outside of her educational pursuits, she is actively involved in Student Government, Kappa Omicron Nu (the Family Sciences Honor Society), the Child and Family Sciences Club, and Tennessee Tech's Child Life Association.

My Personal Why

The reason I decided to pursue a student career at The Center for Addiction Prevention and Support is largely due to the staggering statistics surrounding drug and alcohol abuse in the collegiate and young adult population, as well as the number of assaults and violent crimes against peers due to the influence of drugs and alcohol. I have personally been impacted and am now part of the statistic surrounding that population, and it has altered the trajectory of my career. 

 

Hunter Johnson

Prevention Specialist

Hunter Johnson is from Portland Tennessee and is currently in his junior year at Tennessee Tech University and is studying communications and journalism. He hopes to earn his undergraduate degree and enter the workforce as a public relations specialist.

My Personal Why

My reason for wanting to work at the Center for Addiction Prevention and Support is because I have witnessed addiction claim the lives of my friends and family and have seen what their addiction has done to themselves and to those around them that they love.

 

 

 

Zaria Ford

Prevention Specialist 

Zaria Ford is a junior at Tennessee Tech. Majoring in Psychology, minoring in criminal justice, and working toward a certification in trauma informed care Zaria is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., vice president of United Voices of Praise, and a member of the Psychology Club.  After college Zaria plans on obtaining a Masters of Science in Psychology. 

My Personal Why

I love my position at The Center for Addiction Prevention and Support because I have personally seen addiction effect people that I love have had personal relationships with. I understand how much the influence of one person can positively affect someone, and one person can help you get the resources you need to live a great life! 

 

Katie Barnes

Prevention Specialist 

Katie Barnes is a junior at Tennessee Tech, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in English with a concentration in Professional and Technical Communication. She is also working to complete the Technical Writing and Communication Certificate by this fall. After graduating in the Fall of 2025, she plans to become a grant writer for a local non-profit to help provide support for those in need.

My Personal Why

I chose to work with The Center for Addiction Prevention and Support because I have seen firsthand how addiction affects not only the individual but also those around them. Being able to educate the community and provide a pillar of hope for someone in need is an honor, and I'm grateful to play a part in this mission.

 

Jason Schales, MPH

Research Specialist

Jason Schales graduated from Florida A & M University with his Master’s in Public Health. He currently is a Specialist in Education Graduate Student at TN Tech, studying Applied Behavior Analysis within the College of Education & Human Sciences. Jason currently works as a Special Education Graduate Assistant. He also is a Registered Behavior Technician for Cookeville’s Centers of Development. Here, he works with children and adults living with intellectual & developmental disabilities or autism spectrum disorder. His previous work history includes working with both public/non-profit and private sectors. Prior to returning to Grad School, he worked for the State of TN’s Department on Disability and Aging. In this role, he was responsible for operational and quality assurance oversight, such as training assistance, policy analysis, compliance, survey data collection and analysis, provider credentialing, and network adequacy and coverage. Currently, Jason volunteers for TN Suicide Prevention Network (TSPN), National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) and TN Association for Behavior Analysis (TABA).

My Personal Why

His community experience and topics of interest include persons experiencing homeless, LGBTQ+ health, minority health, persons living with HIV/STIs, mental health, substance misuse addiction, intellectual & developmental disabilities, health inequities and inequalities, program evaluation as well as health policy and management. Once a licensed BCBA, Jason hopes to help vulnerable populations by identifying environmental factors to increase healthy behavioral practices.