The University Psychedelic Education Program (U-PEP) is a philanthropically supported initiative that equips university faculty across disciplines with the knowledge, resources, and community to integrate evidence-based, culturally responsive psychedelic education into curricula - laying the groundwork for the next generation of practitioners, researchers, and educators.
The University Psychedelic Education Program (U-PEP) is a philanthropically supported initiative that equips university faculty across disciplines with the knowledge, resources, and community to integrate evidence-based, culturally responsive psychedelic education into curricula - laying the groundwork for the next generation of practitioners, researchers, and educators.
The University Psychedelic Education Program (U-PEP) is a philanthropically supported initiative that equips university faculty across disciplines with the knowledge, resources, and community to integrate evidence-based, culturally responsive psychedelic education into curricula - laying the groundwork for the next generation of practitioners, researchers, and educators.
Faculty fellows have access to the following resources
Faculty fellows have access to the following resources
Faculty fellows have access to the following resources
Introductory Toolkit & Guidebook
Welcome materials including program details, guidance for integrating psychedelic curriculum, and ideas for school-specific & inter-professional approaches.
Introductory Toolkit & Guidebook
Welcome materials including program details, guidance for integrating psychedelic curriculum, and ideas for school-specific & inter-professional approaches.
Faculty Education Program
Comprehensive 6-day program held at Usona Institute in Madison, Wisconsin. Blends didactic and experiential learning to foster professional development, personal growth, & community building.
Faculty Education Program
Comprehensive 6-day program held at Usona Institute in Madison, Wisconsin. Blends didactic and experiential learning to foster professional development, personal growth, & community building.
Mentorship
Facilitated Mentor Circles where faculty refine psychedelic course drafts together-sharing ideas, exchanging feedback, and learning from experienced mentors and peers.
Mentorship
Facilitated Mentor Circles where faculty refine psychedelic course drafts together-sharing ideas, exchanging feedback, and learning from experienced mentors and peers.
Curricular Consultation
Individualized consultation to help determine the optimal way to align content with specific program needs and goals.
Curricular Consultation
Individualized consultation to help determine the optimal way to align content with specific program needs and goals.
Learning Collaborative
Quarterly opportunities to receive new and updated content, discuss challenges and opportunities, and engage with fellow educators. Includes annual 3-day retreat at 1440 Multiversity in Scotts Valley, CA.
Learning Collaborative
Quarterly opportunities to receive new and updated content, discuss challenges and opportunities, and engage with fellow educators. Includes annual 3-day retreat at 1440 Multiversity in Scotts Valley, CA.
Online Resource Hub (In partnership with Sabba)
The Online Resource Hub on Sabba includes a shared curriculum library, community area, Al companion, and a network of subject matter experts, supervisors, and practicum sites.
Online Resource Hub (In partnership with Sabba)
The Online Resource Hub on Sabba includes a shared curriculum library, community area, Al companion, and a network of subject matter experts, supervisors, and practicum sites.
Participating Universities
Participating Universities
Participating Universities
Faculty Fellow Testimonials
I believe the U-PEP program aligns perfectly with our school’s vision to be a leading source of high-impact research, evidence and education that will develop the knowledge and nurses necessary to address healthcare’s biggest challenges and provide health for all.
Dean of Nursing, University of Michigan
I believe the U-PEP program aligns perfectly with our school’s vision to be a leading source of high-impact research, evidence and education that will develop the knowledge and nurses necessary to address healthcare’s biggest challenges and provide health for all.
Dean of Nursing, University of Michigan
Although an increasing number of students in our MSW program have expressed interest in psychedelics in the past few years we have not felt we had the capacity to meaningfully integrate this burgeoning field into our education without faculty engaging in more learning and training in this area. Hence, when I learned of the U-PEP opportunity, I jumped at the chance to apply.
Faculty Member, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
Although an increasing number of students in our MSW program have expressed interest in psychedelics in the past few years we have not felt we had the capacity to meaningfully integrate this burgeoning field into our education without faculty engaging in more learning and training in this area. Hence, when I learned of the U-PEP opportunity, I jumped at the chance to apply.
Faculty Member, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
As a region facing a complex and persistent mental health crisis, exacerbated by the opioid epidemic and the social challenges tied to poverty and isolation - the need for innovative and effective treatment options has never been more urgent.
Faculty Member, University of Pikeville, Kentucky
As a region facing a complex and persistent mental health crisis, exacerbated by the opioid epidemic and the social challenges tied to poverty and isolation - the need for innovative and effective treatment options has never been more urgent.
Faculty Member, University of Pikeville, Kentucky
Become a U-PEP Faculty Fellow
2026 U-PEP Faculty Fellow applications open 9.15.25
Photo Gallery
U-PEP Community
Funders
Additional Supporters: Lauren & Suprotik Basu Family Foundation, Dayna West / West Family Foundation, Flourish Impact Fund, Blaire & Benno Dorer Foundation, Jeff Walker, PSFC, Alia & Eric Williams, Claudia & Carey Turnbull, Michael & Lisa Cotton, Sylvia Rzepniewski & Ford Smith, Dr. Bronner’s
Additional Supporters: Lauren & Suprotik Basu Family Foundation, Dayna West / West Family Foundation, Flourish Impact Fund, Blaire & Benno Dorer Foundation, Jeff Walker, PSFC, Alia & Eric Williams, Claudia & Carey Turnbull, Michael & Lisa Cotton, Sylvia Rzepniewski & Ford Smith, Dr. Bronner’s
Leadership Team
Sandy Samberg
U-PEP
Founder
Sandy Samberg
U-PEP
Founder
Julie McKay
1440 Foundation
Director
Julie McKay
1440 Foundation
Director
Caroline Dorsen
U-PEP
Program Director
Caroline Dorsen
U-PEP
Program Director
Narda Skov
U-PEP
Program Coordinator
Narda Skov
U-PEP
Program Coordinator
Professional Consultants
Heidi Allen, PhD, LMSW
Columbia University
Social Work Consultant
Heidi Allen, PhD, LMSW
Columbia University
Social Work Consultant
Andrew Penn, PMHNP
UCSF
Nursing Consultant
Andrew Penn, PMHNP
UCSF
Nursing Consultant
Deborah Gardner
Beckley Academy
Curriculum Consultant
Deborah Gardner
Beckley Academy
Curriculum Consultant
Janis Phelps, PhD
California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS)
Director of the Center for Psychedelic Therapies
Janis Phelps, PhD
California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS)
Director of the Center for Psychedelic Therapies
Advisory Counsel
Kwasi Adusei, PMHNP
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Kwasi Adusei, PMHNP
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Jae Sevelius, PhD
Columbia University School of Medicine / Psychology
Jae Sevelius, PhD
Columbia University School of Medicine / Psychology
Manish Agrawal, MD
Sunstone Therapies
Manish Agrawal, MD
Sunstone Therapies
Brooke Stott, LMSW
Columbia University School of Social Work
Brooke Stott, LMSW
Columbia University School of Social Work
Alyssa Draffin, MSW
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill School of Social Work
Alyssa Draffin, MSW
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill School of Social Work
Yasmin Alia Williams, MPH, MBA
Public Health Professional, U-PEP Funder
Yasmin Alia Williams, MPH, MBA
Public Health Professional, U-PEP Funder
Danielle Ompad, PhD
New York University School of Public Health
Danielle Ompad, PhD
New York University School of Public Health
Mary “Bit” Yaden, MD
Johns Hopkins Medicine
Mary “Bit” Yaden, MD
Johns Hopkins Medicine
Carolyn Porta, PhD, RN
University of Minnesota School of Nursing
Carolyn Porta, PhD, RN
University of Minnesota School of Nursing
Educational Partners
Jeremy Rudy
Sabba Collective
Founder & CEO
Jeremy Rudy
Sabba Collective
Founder & CEO
Maisie Coburn
Sabba Collective
Content Strategy
Maisie Coburn
Sabba Collective
Content Strategy
Wesley Hale
Usona Institute
Senior Manager of Education and Training
Wesley Hale
Usona Institute
Senior Manager of Education and Training
Tura Patterson
Usona Institute
Senior Director Strategic Partnerships
Tura Patterson
Usona Institute
Senior Director Strategic Partnerships