Above image, from left: Southeastern Interim Coordinator of Collegiate Recovery Madison Evans, Southeastern President John L. Crain, Louisiana Commissioner of Higher Education Kim Hunter Reed, and University of Louisiana System President Jim Henderson.
Lion Up Recovery, officially recognized by the Association of Recovery in Higher Education (ARHE), is a voluntary program to help students in recovery achieve their higher education goals. State higher education and local community leaders recently joined with members of the Lion Up Recovery Advisory Board and supporters of the program for a launch event on campus.
“This new program as a resource for our students is an extension of Southeastern’s core values of caring and excellence. It is a game-changer for our institution,” said Southeastern President John L. Crain. “This is a great program for the University, our students, and our community, and we are very proud to offer it.”
The program offers students on-campus support groups, academic advising and counseling, accountability, and staff intervention, if needed. Also provided are leadership and civic engagement opportunities, sober tailgating for select Southeastern football games, studying and sober socials, service opportunities through recovery-oriented support groups, and participation with ARHE events.
Louisiana Commissioner of Higher Education Kim Hunter Reed thanked Southeastern for “being first, for stepping out and making sure that when we talk about talent development in the state we talk about how to develop and support every student regardless of race, place, challenge, or opportunity. We want to make sure that every student knows their unlimited potential can be reached at an institution like Southeastern.”
“It is fitting that a campus that cares as deeply as Southeastern is the first to step up and say, ‘Here we are, our welcome mat speaks to everyone. We are here to make sure that you excel, that we are building a place where recovery will continue and advance, where dreams will become a reality, where students are proud to call this campus home,’” she added.
Citing Southeastern as an inspiration and a pioneer of firsts, University of Louisiana System President Jim Henderson said he is proud Southeastern has taken the lead in serving students. “From textbook rentals to the Southeastern Promise, if students get on the path to success, Southeastern is going to be a partner to help them get to that finish line,” he said. “Thank you for being on the cutting edge in helping move Louisiana forward.”
Southeastern Interim Coordinator of Collegiate Recovery Madison Evans said the program’s overall aim is to provide the education, resources, and community connections needed to help change the trajectory of recovering students’ lives.
“I am blown away by Southeastern’s latest efforts to meet the needs of their students’ behavioral health. Southeastern students who are in recovery from substance abuse will now have a fully dedicated space where they can experience fellowship and receive much-needed services and resources,” said Assistant Director of Governor’s Office of Drug Policy Kristy Miller. “It is beyond impressive and we challenge other higher education institutions across Louisiana to follow Southeastern’s lead and adopt the collegiate recovery community approach.”
For more information on Lion Up Recovery, email [email protected] or visit
southeastern.edu/recovery.