Class of 2024

We are excited to introduce you to our Collegiate Recovery Leadership Academy Class of 2024! This cohort is comprised of 48 students from 40 institutions and 24 states. With diverse educational, professional, and recovery backgrounds we know that this group of students will not only make impactful changes on their campuses but will leave a lasting mark on the national collegiate recovery movement. It’s our largest cohort today with:

• 22% come from schools that are new to SAFE
• 38% identify as a minority or person of color
• 22% represent a community college

“I was excited about being a SAFE Project Collegiate Recovery Leadership Academy Fellow so I could help other recovering addicts become successful and continue their recovery. I am passionate about recovery because I am in recovery myself and I owe my life to it.”

–Lamora Lyons (she/her/hers), Cypress Community College

“I was excited to become a SAFE Project Collegiate Recovery Leadership Academy Fellow for the opportunity to develop my skills and understanding as an advocate and supporter of people battling addiction, and getting a chance to meet like minded people who are inspired to help destigmatize addiction and help educate people. As a child, I battled addiction with my mother, and then as myself as an adult and a mother myself. Finding recovery helped me break generational cycles and gave my family an opportunity for a life I never imagined. I work in recovery with women who are mothers and everyday get to help other families accomplish the same goal, helping save the lives of women and their children from the havoc of addiction.”

–Anna Dwyer (she/her), Santa Rosa Junior College

“I was excited to become a SAFE Project Collegiate Recovery Leadership Academy Fellow so I could make a difference in my community and grow in my own recovery. I will be six years clean and sober in January and am diligent when it comes to my recovery and using the gift of recovery to help others! Everyone in my family (besides my grandparents) have struggled with substance use/mental health disorders, so I am also taking my position in recovery as an opportunity to set an example for them as well.”

–Vanessa Needles (she/her), University of South Dakota

“With the addiction crisis only getting worse and an alarming amount of people needing help being underserved with no idea that help is out there, I am extremely excited to work with a diverse group of people from around the country to share ideas on how to bring a message of hope to everyone that needs it on our campuses! Not only has recovery brought me from a state of utter hopelessness, isolation, and despair, but I have seen it do the same and more for countless others. Recovery has offered me a fulfilling life and purpose beyond anything I could’ve ever imagined and it allows me to witness resurrection from death on a daily basis.”

–Will Vaughn (he/him), Michigan State University

“It is humbling to be among those with the tremendous opportunity to collaborate nationwide to face the challenges and find ways to create and implement changes to make a significant difference on our campuses with an impact project! I’ve lost a lot in my life: friends, neighbors, and loved ones. I battle depression, once tipping my scales nearly 500 lbs. before my doctor proclaimed, “Do you not care what you put in your body?” I never understood what I was doing was destroying myself. I have lost nearly 170 lbs. but carry much more weight inside me, for my heart is heavy. My brother served two tours in Iraq after 9/11, and I see how PTSD has deeply affected his life and daily functionality. I ask, “How can I be as helpful as possible?” This can be through gains: more friends, support, resources, connections, and effort on my behalf, for which I am dedicated to learning to become the best version of myself to help better serve my campus and community.”

–Darren Goodwin (he/him), West Virginia State University

“I am excited about being a SAFE Project Collegiate Recovery Leadership Academy Fellow for the opportunity to grow in my knowledge of recovery. I am passionate about recovery because I am a recovering addict.”

–Janice Charles (miss), Mount San Antonio College

“I’m excited about so many things! My campus doesn’t have any recovery-based programming for students, but my CSAC program is mostly students in recovery. I’m excited to take what I learn from this fellowship and be able to share and replicate it with my peers in my program and on campus. I am excited and honored to start my education journey with this fellowship. I have a lot to learn, and I am so eager to see what this side of the recovery world looks like. I am passionate about recovery because I don’t think I was ever truly alive before it.”

–Bailey Arena (she/her), Erie County Community College

“I am so excited to meet students from across the country who are passionate about recovery and learn how we are all contributing in our local communities, but I am also really interested in the things we can accomplish as a collective of student leaders! Recovery transformed my life into something beautiful and gave me so many things worth living and growing for. Without open and destigmatized access to recovery, we lose so many voices and stories, and people who mattered. Recovery is a chance for communities to come together and support the most marginalized folks among us, and I want to be a part of that narrative.”

–Frankie Berryman (they/he), Kennesaw State University

“I’ve always wanted to advocate for people struggling with substance abuse but didn’t know how. Recovery has changed my life! I know longer feel trapped and enjoy choosing to work on myself every day! ”

–Mildred Garcia (she/her/hers), Mount San Antonio College

“I am excited about being a SAFE Project Collegiate Recovery Leadership Academy Fellow for the opportunity to grow with my community. I am passionate about recovery because everything is possible without using drugs and I am a better version of myself.”

–Leandro Perez (him), Cal Poly Pomona

“What excited me about CRLA was the opportunity to help those on a recovery journey feel human again. A lot of times the world can be very judgmental to those who have battled with addiction. The message I want to share is that those people still have a chance to live, to be human, to experience life, and to grow to their fullest potential. I am passionate about recovery because it unlocks a new journey. It reminds me of the stages for a caterpillar tuning into a butterfly: it takes time, but the outcome is beautiful. I know some people long for that chance to be able to change, or have the opportunity to make this road to recovery happen. A lot of times, all people need is support, and they need to feel the love from others; that can make a huge difference as well. Seeing those who have struggled with addiction being able to become themselves again makes my heart happy, it’s hard work, but I am proud of them. ”

–Britney Lattimore (she/her), Lane College

“So often in college, we theorize what making an impact in our communities can do. With SAFE, I have the opportunity to implement positive change with guidance and make positive change on my campus! The core principles of recovery, to me, are simply treating people empathy and compassion. These simple things empower people to create a recovery path that is perfect for them. Recovery is a right, not a privilege. ”

–Meredith Kearney (she/her), Temple University

“What excited me about being a SAFE Project Collegiate Recovery Leadership Academy Fellow was being able to meet other like-minded individuals who are trying to make a difference in the lives of people suffering from addiction. Recovery saved my life and has shown me that I can do anything if I am honest and approach every endeavor with a servant’s heart. I am working to earn a bachelor’s degree in social work. Recovery helped me discover my passion for helping others and has brought a level of clarity to my life. In addiction, I never knew who I was, and personal recovery has shown me every bit of who I can be. For that, I will be forever grateful, and I’ll continue carrying this message to those still struggling for as long as I live.”

–Jordan Cole (he/him), Southeastern Louisiana University

“What excited me about being a SAFE Project Collegiate Recovery Leadership Academy Fellow was connecting with other peers who have the same passions as me, and getting to know people’s testimonies and what they have overcome to be where they are today. One reason I’m passionate about recovery is just because of the city I grew up in. I saw so many people struggle with addictions, whether it was drugs or with mental health. I know I have a gift and purpose in my life to help people in their darkest moments and that’s what truly makes me happy: helping someone right when they thought it was time to give up.”

–Jaylen Redd (he), Defiance College

“I’m excited to be a SAFE Fellow because I will get to meet people from all over the country and be able to learn about different perspectives surrounding substance use disorder and be able to better understand how SUD affects all aspects of a person’s health. I am passionate about recovery because I believe that the stigma surrounding recovery prevents people from seeking the help they need. I hope to help destigmatize addiction and to help people feel safe about seeking help.”

–Emma Pantazi (she/her), Simmons University

“What excited me about being a SAFE Project Collegiate Recovery Leadership Academy Fellow was the ability and support to help others that are affected by addiction. I had a very good support system when I started my recovery journey, and I know some people do not, so providing others with any type of help is something I am passionate about.”

–Jessica Page (she), Northeast State Community College

“The CRLA fellowship provides a way to connect with other individuals who share a common goal of creating change. I am so excited to learn more about addiction, recovery, and the ways to positively impact the community. I am passionate about recovery because I believe all human beings deserve to have a healthy and fulfilling life. My own healing journey has thrived from having many different support systems and I know the benefits that a safe and welcoming environment can provide for one’s recovery.”

–Nicole Blackburn (she/her), West Chester University

“What excited me about being a SAFE Project Collegiate Recovery Leadership Academy Fellow was the ability to learn more about the recovery process for addictions and about my community and its needs. I believe that everyone has worth and value, even when we don’t see it ourselves. We all learn harmful behaviors and it’s okay to get help.”

–Camille Brown Hill (she/her), Utah Valley University

“I believe being in recovery gives me something very valuable. I want to use my lived experiences to support others and prevent folks in my age range or setting from going through what I went through. I am very excited to bring tangible solutions to these unspoken issues. I love that recovery is not a binary thing, harm reduction saves lives, and I’m one of those saved lives. I am incredible grateful for my recovery and sharing the idea of how there is support in community makes me very happy.”

–Mahish Rajdev (he/him), The University of British Columbia

“SAFE Project Collegiate Recovery Leadership Academy Fellow would be such a unique opportunity for me to connect and network with people who share the passion for collegiate recovery and substance use disorder advocacy! CRLA will bring me invaluable insights, sharing experiences, and meaningful relationships that would enrich my personal and professional growth. My passion for recovery stems from my deep concern for addressing addiction and its connection to mental health, particularly among marginalized and Indigenous populations. I am committed to gaining a deeper understanding of the complexities of addiction and recovery through CRLA to better serve the people in my community. I aim to be an advocate for vulnerable populations and contribute to building support systems that empower people to overcome addiction and improve their well-being.”

–Heejung (Chloe) Sin (she/her), University of Hawaii at Manoa

“What excited me about being a SAFE Project Collegiate Recovery Leadership Academy Fellow was the opportunity to connect with other CRLA fellows and share ideas to promote recovery within my community. I see the SAFE Project CRLA program as a chance to expand my skills in leadership, while working in an area I am passionate about, to better equip me to serve others in the future as an aspiring physician. I lost a lifelong friend to overdose. Promoting recovery within my community has allowed me to cope with her death in a productive manner.”

–Arianna Paa (she/her), Michigan State University

“I am excited about being a SAFE Project Collegiate Recovery Leadership Academy Fellow to create community across the country with like minded folks who are recovery oriented on campus. Alcohol and substance use impact everyone, whether they use or not. I am passionate about empowering folks to speak about their experience, bust stigma, and create opportunities for education and awareness.”

–Shelby Arena (she/her), SUNY University at Buffalo

“What excited me about being a SAFE Project Collegiate Recovery Leadership Academy Fellow was the ability to meet people from all across the country. I passionate about recovery because recovery is key in my success as I step into my greatness. Each step I take everyday is a step closer to me being better than I was the day before.”

–Jason Chico (he/him/his), Mt. San Antonio College