Ep 29 – MI in College and University Settings

We were thrilled to have Peter Rives on the podcast to discuss MI and his work with college and university students. Peter Rives holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC. Following undergrad, Peter completed three years of doctoral study in Social Psychology at the University of Delaware before embarking on 16 years of work in public behavioral health, specializing in behavior change, case management, care coordination, transitional care, and integrated care across a variety of settings. In 2013 Peter was named one of the Top 40 Business Leaders Under 40 by the Triad Business Journal and in 2014 he completed a Jim Bernstein Community Healthcare Fellowship. In 2016, Peter transitioned to his current role as the Assistant Director of Wellbeing in the Office of Wellbeing at Wake Forest University. In that role, Peter focuses on harm-reduction related to alcohol and other drugs in the university setting through prevention & education programming, brief intervention & behavior change services, and long-term recovery supports, receiving an Everfi Impact Award for Excellence in Alcohol Prevention Programming in 2019. As part of his work at the university, Peter also implemented a Motivational Interviewing training program through which he provides training and coaching to students, faculty, staff, and administrators. Peter is also currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Beyond work, Peter enjoys exploring wilderness, playing guitar, gardening, cooking, and laughing with his wife, Kate and four children.

Motivational Interviewing in colleges and universities

Peter explores how Motivational Interviewing can support students within college and university communities, particularly around alcohol and other drug use, wellbeing and behaviour change. Rather than relying only on information or rules, MI offers a way to engage students in conversations about their own priorities, choices and reasons for change.

The episode also considers how universities can build cultures of engagement, trust and authenticity, and how MI learning communities can help staff and students continue developing their skills. Peter’s emphasis on strengthening the “affirmation muscle” connects directly with Affirmations in Motivational Interviewing, alongside Engaging and Empowerment.

In this episode

0:00 – Opening/introduction

5:00 – Peter’s introduction and MI background

14:25 – Prevention efforts in college and university settings

18:10 – MI in college and university settings

27:30 – Building a culture of engagement, trust, and authenticity

46:15 – MI learning communities on campus

51:15 – Strengthening the affirmation muscle

1:03:26 – End of recording

Links and contact information:

• Email: prives@gmail.com

Listen to Episode 29

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