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Collegiate Recovery
Leadership Academy

Home > SAFE Campuses > Collegiate Recovery Leadership Academy

Applications for the 2025 – 2026 CRLA cohort will open in July!

The Collegiate Recovery Leadership Academy (CRLA) is an academic year-long fellowship program for students who are passionate about the intersection of addiction and mental health recovery, leadership, and advocacy. Students who are accepted into the CRLA will implement a prevention, harm reduction, or recovery-focused impact project on their campus, receive advocacy training, attend two in-person events, and be part of a supportive cohort of peers from around the country.

Applicant Criteria

Student must be enrolled in post-secondary coursework throughout the duration of the academic year
Student must have completed at least one year at their college/university already. We find familiarity with your campus helpful in creating change in the community.
Student must be interested in addiction and mental health recovery, leadership, and advocacy.

Benefits of CRLA:

Involvement in shaping the future of prevention, harm reduction, and recovery
Deepen professional and personal development
Social justice and advocacy training to create sustainable change
Build relationships with other passionate students
Two all-expense paid trips to connect with peers and mentors from around the country

“I think one aspect of what collegiate recovery means to me is that it’s its non-judgmental and it respects the diverse experiences of all students regardless of their approach to recovery.”

Cody Thompson

University of Chicago • CRLA ’22 Graduate

“Two words that stand out are inclusivity and community. Just seeing how many different recovery paths there are and what you’re in recovery from, that was awesome to see during the time in the academy.”

Amanda Fowler

University of Albany • CRLA ’22 Graduate

Webinar Series

Testimonials

“Before I started my journey with the CRLA I thought that I was alone in my vision to bring addiction recovery awareness to higher education. This program has shown me that is not the case and that I am in fact surrounded by many others who share my values, hopes, and dreams.”

Melissa H. Iowa State University

“The CRLA gave me a voice. I felt empowered and accepted. I learned that there is value to my lived experience and that my past is my greatest resource. I was able to connect with other students in recovery and feel like less of an imposter. I learned I was not alone and that, if I had the courage, I could make a difference on my campus, and I did, all because the CRLA supported me every step of the way.”

Matthew P. • Florida Atlantic University

“This was an absolutely incredible program. Not only has this helped to grow our campus program, but I myself have grown. I have gained confidence and been able to connect with people I never would have been able to connect with without this program.”

Lilinoe K. • University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa