Curious about recovery? Already in recovery and looking for community?
Badger Recovery connects and supports students in or considering recovery from addiction. This may include, but is not limited to: alcohol misuse, cannabis misuse, eating concerns, gaming addiction, and other addictive behaviors.
Badger Recovery embraces all definitions of recovery, whether that is abstinence or harm reduction, and offers a welcoming and judgment-free space to support you on your personal recovery journey.
Through opportunities like social events, peer-led recovery meetings, and recovery coaching from staff in recovery, our collegiate recovery program helps students not only maintain their recovery and achieve their academic goals, but also thrive and find belonging on campus.
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Mission
To provide a welcoming and inclusive collegiate recovery community that offers resources, connection opportunities, and support for students.
Vision
To cultivate a campus environment where students in recovery can thrive.
Diversity and inclusion
We embrace individuals from all backgrounds and identities while seeking to create an inclusive environment. We understand diverse experiences and identities can have a significant impact on complex issues such as recovery. Valuing diversity in its many forms promotes growth within Badger Recovery.
We recognize that even though we strive for inclusivity, we may fall short. Therefore, we are committed to having difficult conversations, promoting restorative justice practices, and rebuilding trust in our community. Only through embracing our varied identities will we have the greatest impact on our members.
How to Join Our Community
- Come to one of our weekly recovery meetings (in person or online)
- Email recovery@uhs.wisc.edu
- Follow us on Instagram @badgerrecovery
- Schedule a recovery coaching conversation
- Sign up for our newsletter—we offer weekly and monthly updates
Services and Events
Services
- Hybrid peer-to-peer all-recovery meetings
- Social and educational events
- Connections to resources and academic support
- One-on-one recovery coaching
- Consultation
Upcoming Badger Recovery events
- April
- April 2
- April 3
- April 7
- April 7
Recovery Meetings
Meetings are hybrid, and attendees can join in-person in our room in College Library, or virtually via Zoom.
Badger Recovery meetings are non-clinical, peer support groups where trained student facilitators lead an open-ended, recovery-based conversation. The primary purpose is to support our recovery community and empower each other to stay committed to one’s path of recovery.
Meetings often center around topics, like coping with triggers, building support systems, managing stress, and finding connection.
Spring 2025 Meeting Schedule
All-Recovery
Mondays, 7–8pm | Wednesdays, 5:45–6:45pm
333 E. Campus Mall, 8th Floor, Room 8808
Rainbow Recovery
Mondays, 5–6pm
Gender and Sexuality Campus Center (GSCC)
Our Team
Ash Engel
Collegiate Recovery Specialist
Ash manages the Badger Recovery program and enjoys working with students to ensure they find community and feel supported in their personal recovery journeys. In her role, Ash supports students in or considering recovery from substance use, eating disorders, and process addictions and supports all definitions of recovery. She strives to ensure Badger Recovery is a community that values authenticity, support, connection, fun, and compassionate accountability. Using her personal experience, she offers support and hope to students in the recovery process.
Outside of work, Ash loves to read, meditate, and spend time with her partner and friends. She also enjoys being outdoors, whether that’s tandem biking, pedal kayaking, or having a cookout.
Shaden Ibrahim
Program Assistant
Hi everyone! My name is Shaden Ibrahim and I’m so excited to be joining the Badger Recovery team this semester! I am a second year graduate student studying Speech-Language Pathology, and I also completed my undergraduate studies here at UW. Prior to attending UW, I grew up in Milwaukee, WI. In my free time, I love to bake, watch TV, and exercise!
Dante Lucchesi
Student Coordinator
Hi everyone! My name is Dante Lucchesi, and I am a Pre-Med senior at UW–Madison majoring in Health Promotion and Health Equity. I am a recovering addict/alcoholic with almost 2 years of sobriety and a grateful member of the Badger Recovery community! In my free time I enjoy playing the guitar, working out, and reading nerdy epic fantasy. I have also been known to engage in sober shenanigans as well as some occasional tomfoolery with other sober friends. Whether you are curious about recovery, interested in some sober fun, or simply seeking socialization, come to one of our Badger Recovery meetings or events; I would love to meet you!
Spencer Runde
Student Coordinator
My name is Spencer Runde, and I am a third-year student majoring in Social Work and History. I’m a huge lover of R&B music and spend a chunk of my free time making different playlists. Beyond that, my only other hobbies are hanging out with friends and watching thrillers. You can catch me most of the time doing work with PAVE (and now Badger Recovery) and thinking of ways to make campus a safer and more inclusive environment for everyone!
Ellise Markevitch
Student Assistant
Hello! My name is Ellise Markevitch. I am a 3rd-year undergraduate majoring in Neurobiology, with certificates in Global Health and Science Communication. In my free time, I enjoy drawing, reading (fantasy and sci-fi are my favorite genres), and doing jigsaw puzzles. A fun fact about me is that I collect editions of Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brönte—I currently have ten different editions!
Clara Sainz Prats
Student Assistant
I’m a sophomore majoring in Psychology and Neurobiology and an international student from Barcelona, Spain. I am passionate about mental health advocacy and fostering inclusive spaces where all students feel supported. Outside of work, I enjoy reading mystery novels, experimenting with new baking recipes, and spending time by the lake with friends. I value community and connection, always finding joy in shared experiences and meaningful conversations
Cadia Biundo
Student Assistant
Hi, I am Cadia! I am a senior at UW–Madison studying Psychology and Gender & Woman Studies. I enjoy vibing to music and yapping with my friends about multiple topics over coffee. I love to work with Badger Recovery because I like the reminder of the rawness of what it means to be human and want support. I tend to find myself walking away from a meeting being cared and supported too which is pretty cool.
Families and loved ones
Disclaimer: Badger Recovery does not provide treatment. We are an additional support to a student’s personal recovery.If you are interested in treatment or mental health services, we can provide informative resources to support recovery.
We join with the Association of Recovery in Higher Education Board in their statement to you:
Dear Families and Loved Ones,
By now, you know that a recovery-friendly support network is crucial in your student’s recovery. Offering the right kind of support to your student can have a tremendous impact on their lives. Finding a Collegiate Recovery Program (CRP) or Collegiate Recovery Community (CRC) on a college campus is a big decision. The Association of Recovery in Higher Education (ARHE) aims to help change the trajectory of recovery students’ lives and offers resources and information for those looking to be a part of this kind of a support system.
Badger Recovery staff is happy to assist you in learning more about collegiate recovery option and discuss our program. To speak with a staff member email, us at recovery@uhs.wisc.edu.