The first UNC System Collegiate Recovery Communities (CRC) were established in 2013 with funding from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). There are currently 13 institutions in the UNC System with thriving Collegiate Recovery Communities and UNC Asheville is establishing a community this fall. These 14 institutions are all supported by DHHS funding. These communities are comprised of students in recovery as well as student allies. CRC Coordinators provide a broad spectrum of programming throughout the year including group outings and sober tailgates, tabling events for awareness and educational training opportunities. The UNC System serves as the fiscal agent and partners with Addiction Professionals of North Carolina (APNC) who help to facilitate and strengthen programmatic efforts.
Collegiate Recovery Communities
Appalachian State University
Appalachian Collegiate Recovery Community
The Appalachian Collegiate Recovery Community (CRC) was established in 2017 and offers a multiple pathways recovery approach supporting students in recovery from substance use as well as mental health challenges and other behaviors. The CRC is housed under the Department of Wellness and Prevention Services. Currently, Appalachian does not offer on-campus recovery housing, but they continue to seek options and strive to locate safe and secure space. In the meantime, they work with their off-campus housing liaison to identify potential housing options that are less volatile to an individual’s recovery based on location and environment.
Recovery Definition: Recovery is a dynamic process of change in which individuals aim to improve overall health and wellness, live self-directed lives, and strive to reach their full potential (SAMHSA’s Four Components of Recovery: Health Home Purpose Community).
Coordinator: Jordan Kessler, MA, LMFTA, LCAS-A
Ben Asma, MA, LCMHCS, LCAS, Asst. Director/Coordinator for Alcohol & Other Drug Services (left) and Jordan Kessler, MA, LMFTA, LCASA, CRC Coordinator (right) attending the 2023 Annual ARHE Conference in Columbus, Ohio.
“The people at the CRC and the other students who come to the meetings have made me feel like issues with substances aren’t something to be ashamed about…”
Anonymous Mountaineer
Elizabeth City State University
Social: #vikingcrccares
Viking CARES
The Viking CARES (Campus Advocates for Recovery and Educational Services) Collegiate Recovery Community was established in 2020 and offers an abstinence-based recovery approach. The CRC is housed under the Counseling Center. Currently, ECSU does not offer recovery housing.
Recovery Definition: The process of working toward and/or maintaining a state of healthy mental and/or physical wellbeing.
Coordinator: Vacant
East Carolina University
ECU Recovery
ECU Recovery was established in fall of 2015 and offers a multiple pathways recovery approach. The CRC is housed under Recreation and Wellness. Currently, ECU does not offer recovery housing.
Recovery Definition: A Process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential.
Coordinator: Jordan Jean, LRT-CTRS
Fayetteville State University
Bronco Whole Collegiate Recovery Community
The Bronco Whole Collegiate Recovery Community (CRC) was established in the fall of 2020 and a multiple pathways recovery approach. The CRC is housed under the Counseling Center. Currently, FSU does not offer recovery housing.
Recovery Definition: It is a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential. (SAMHSA)
Coordinator: Vacant
North Carolina A&T State University
A&T Collegiate Recovery Community
The A&T Collegiate Recovery Community (CRC) was established in 2013 and was the first HBCU in North Carolina to have an organized Collegiate Recovery Community. N.C. A&T offers a multiple pathways recovery approach. The CRC is housed under the Counseling Center. Currently, N.C. A&T offers on-campus recovery housing if requested.
Recovery Definition: Collegiate Recovery provides support and resources for students attending North Carolina A&T who are in the recovery process from alcohol, drugs, and other addictive disorders. The CRC is a safe place for students in recovery to connect with others and attend 12 Step-life skills meetings, as well as with planning campus activities.
Coordinator: Mariah Rhodes, MS, NCC, LCMHCA
NC State University
Pack Recovery
Pack Recovery was established in 2013 and offers an abstinence-based recovery approach. The CRC is housed under Prevention Services. Currently, NC State does not offer recovery housing.
Recovery Definition: A lifelong commitment to pursuing optimal health and well-being.
Coordinator: Jeffrey Fay, MA
North Carolina Central University
Social: Instagram
H.O.P.E.
H.O.P.E. (Healing. Overcoming. Persevering. Evolving.) was established in 2017 and offers a harm reduction/multiple pathways recovery approach. The CRC is housed under the Counseling Center. Currently, North Carolina Central University does not offer recovery housing.
Recovery Definition: A collaborative peer-focused and clinically supported effort to provide education and awareness, social engagement, and treatment to establish and maintain well-being as a part of student success. Components of the recovery process are individualized as appropriate for needs and goals for healthy decision-making and cultivated through communal sources and support.
CRC Coordinator: Adora Harris
UNC Asheville (Coming Soon!)
UNC Charlotte
Social: Instagram
Charlotte Recovery Program
The Charlotte Recovery Program was established in 2013 and offers an all-pathways recovery approach. The CRC is housed under the Student Health Center. Currently, UNC Charlotte does not offer recovery housing.
Recovery Definition: Charlotte Recovery believes that there are many paths to recovery and attempts to meet each individual where they are on their personal journey.
Coordinator: Jazmyne Jones, LCAS-A, LCSW-A, NCTTP
UNC-Chapel Hill
Carolina Recovery
Carolina Recovery was established in 2013 and offers an inclusive recovery model. The CRC is housed under Student Wellness. Currently, UNC-Chapel Hill offers off-campus referrals to Oxford Houses close to campus and are advocating for on-campus housing.
Recovery Definition: SAMHSA’s working definition of recovery defines recovery as a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live self-directed lives, and strive to reach their full potential.
Coordinator: Victoria Cooper, MSW (in progress)
First Annual Carolina Recovery Spring Break (March 2023)
“My involvement with the Carolina Recovery Program has been the single-most healing part of my recovery journey. I can confidently say I would not be the person I am today without the unwavering support from the community Carolina Recovery provides. Throughout my time in this organization, I’ve made lifelong friendships and connections. These relationships have had a profound impact on my recovery process, as well as my personal and academic growth.”
UNC-Chapel Hill Student
UNC Greensboro
Social: Instagram
Spartan Recovery
Spartan Recovery at UNC Greensboro was established in 2015 and offers an abstinence and multiple pathways recovery approach. The CRC is located in Spartan Village. Currently, UNC Greensboro offers on-campus recovery housing and partners with Spartan House – Oxford Housing for men.
Recovery Definition: Process of change through which individuals are able to live meaningful and self-directed lives.
Coordinator: Chesley Kennedy, Rev., LCAS, CPC
UNC Pembroke
Be Brave
Be Brave was established in 2016 and offers a multiple pathways recovery approach. The CRC is housed under the Counseling Center. Currently, UNC Pembroke does not offer recovery housing.
Recovery Definition: A process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their fullest potential.
Coordinator: Laurel Flom, B.S.
UNC Wilmington
CRC Hawks
The CRC Hawks was established in 2013 and offers a multiple pathways recovery approach. The CRC is housed under the Health Promotion office. Currently, UNCW offers off-campus housing options and suggests that students ask for sober roommate accommodations.
Recovery Definition: A return to a normal state of health, mind, or strength.
Coordinator: Danielle Jusko, MPH
Winston-Salem State University
WSSU Collegiate Recovery Community
The WSSU Collegiate Recovery Community (CRC) was established in 2021 and offers recovery approach. The CRC is housed under the Counseling Center. Currently, WSSU does not offer recovery housing.
Recovery Definition: The Collegiate Recovery Community (CRC) of Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) provides an on-campus sanctuary and forum for our students to embody the knowledge, skill, and ability to successfully manage their respective life domains while simultaneously learning improved methods of dealing with the perils and pitfalls associated with use, misuse and abuse of alcohol and other drugs; The WSSU-CRC is committed to helping our student achieve abstinence and avoidance. We do not want out students suffering in silence! While the WSSU-CRC is here to support out students, we simultaneously promote self-assessment and self-care FEEL, DEAL, HEAL!
Coordinator: Timothy Pittman, LCAS, CCS