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Collegiate Recovery Team

Olivia Dale Pape, Director

WVU Collegiate Recovery Director Olivia Pape smiling

"I’ve been involved with the WVU Collegiate Recovery Program since I moved to West Virginia in 2015. There will never be enough time or enough words to express just how incredible this program is. Serenity Place is such a safe space for me and other individuals who are in, seeking or supporting recovery. As a person living in long-term recovery, it is so meaningful for me to be able to connect with others who can relate to my experience and provide me with support and encouragement. Everyone is compassionate and giving and funny and interesting—there’s never a shortage of laughter at Serenity Place! I am so grateful to be a part of the amazing community."

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Andrew Caryl, Program Coordinator

Program Coordinator Andrew Caryl sitting on swing set and looking at the stars.

"I am a person in long-term recovery and one of the original students of WVU Collegiate Recovery. This program provided me with an opportunity to grow in my recovery and become a leader in this community. I was able to complete an undergraduate and graduate degree at WVU through the support and connections provided by this program. My hope as Program Coordinator is to provide students in recovery at WVU the support and resources necessary for them to thrive in their recovery."

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Sadie Holland, Student Employee

"I was born and raised in Charleston, West Virginia and I will always have a very special place in my heart for this state and its people. I am currently studying Mental Health & Addiction Studies with a minor in Special Education, so working for Collegiate Recovery seemed like the perfect step to take in beginning my journey of what I hope will be a lifetime of giving back to my community. I look forward to forming many new connections and friendships along the way! "

WVU Collegiate Recovery Student Employee Sadie Holland

Marissa Mangione, Student Employee
"I am currently in my senior year at West Virginia University majoring in Mental Health and Addiction Studies with a minor in Psychology. As someone in this major, when I graduate, I hope to be a substance use counselor. Collegiate Recovery has given me so many opportunities to pursue what I am passionate about while continuing to help me learn and grow as a worker in this field. When I am not at Serenity Place or class, I love to be with my Kappa Kappa Gamma sisters drinking Starbucks, listening to music (especially One Direction), and watching whichever television show we are binging that week!"

student employee Marissa Mangione

Charley Stinespring, Graduate Assistant
"I will be working with Collegiate Recovery as a graduate assistant, while I start my Master’s degree in the Counseling program. I completed my undergraduate degree in Psychology with a minor in Addiction Studies here at WVU! After completing my degree, I plan to become a Licensed Professional Counselor so I can work in the field of mental health and substance use. In my free time, I enjoy drinking iced coffee, listening to Taylor Swift, and taking photos as a hobby."

graduate assistant Charley Stinespring

Madison Willard, Graduate Assistant
"Hi! My name is Madison Willard and I am pursuing my Masters of Science in Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling. I graduated May of 2023 from WVU with my Bachelors in Psychology with Minors in Addiction Studies and Women and Gender Studies. I plan on becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor and furthering my career at the Veterans Affairs Hospital working with people with substance use and mental health disorders. In my free time you can find me hanging out with my Hedgehog Draco and my cat Marley along with taking care of my plants. "

Graduate Assistant Madison Willard

Tess Janson, MSW Student

"I graduated from WVU in 2019 with a BS in Recreation, Parks, & Sustainable Tourism, minor in Communications studies.  Post grad I set west to become a Wildland Firefighter.  I became a Fire Apprentice for the US Forest Service, stationed in Oregon.  Most of my career was spent on handcrews, fighting fires all over the country.  Currently, I am studying for my Master's in Social Work and am the Program Support Staff Rental Operations Graduate Assistant for Adventure WV.  I feel blessed & am excited to be a part of the Collegiate Recovery team for my Generalist Field Placement!  With dreams of returning to fire and be part of the mental health movement for first responders & veterans, I am thrilled to be back & look forward to the adventures ahead!"  

MSW student Tess Janson

Mary Taylor Shaak, Student Employee

"I am a junior at West Virginia University studying Mental Health & Addiction Studies. Collegiate Recovery has been very beneficial for me as a student in recovery. It has allowed me the chance to find community, feel welcomed, and grow as a person. I am thankful for Collegiate Recovery and am excited to be part of such an awesome program. In my free time I enjoy going on walks, reading, and listening to music!"

Student employee, Mary Taylor Shaak, poses for photo

Taylor Englishman, Senior Capstone Student
"I am currently a senior at West Virginia University with a major in major in Multidisciplinary Studies with Minors in Human Services, Child Development & Family Studies, Addiction Studies. I chose Collegiate Recovery for my capstone volunteer work because I hope to gain more  insight into the addiction field as my hope is to become a Substance Use Counselor. I am looking forward to my time here so that it will better prepare myself for my future. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, coordinating events with my Sigma Kappa sorority sisters, and traveling!"

Capstone student Taylor Englishman poses for a photo

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