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.
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
About Us
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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 & 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.
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
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.
Upcoming Badger Recovery events
- July
- July 14
- July 21
- July 25
- July 28
Recovery Meetings
Meetings are hybrid, and attendees can join in-person 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.
Summer 2025 Meeting Schedule
Rainbow Recovery
Will resume in fall
Friends and Family
Will resume in fall
Our Team
Ash Engel (she/they)
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.
Dante Lucchesi (he/him)
Collegiate Recovery Specialist
Dante joined UHS as a Collegiate Recovery Specialist for Badger Recovery in 2025 after graduating from UW-Madison as a Health Promotion and Health Equity major. He is deeply committed to ensuring that students struggling with their mental health receive the support needed to achieve academic, professional and personal fulfillment. In his role at Badger Recovery he provides a welcoming, healing environment for students in recovery from substance misuse, eating disorders, and other process addictions.
During his free time Dante can be found playing the guitar, hunched over a puzzle, or frolicking in the great outdoors with his friends. He regularly jumps from one hobby to another, and is currently involved in becoming a sudoku champion.
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
Ellise Markevitch
Student Assistant
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!
Will Buck
Student Assistant
I am majoring in Information Science and passionate about developing innovations in software engineering. In my free time, I enjoy producing music and exploring the outdoors. I am proud to be working with UHS as a Student Assistant and look forward to promoting wellness on our campus.
Families and loved ones
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.