SJSU’s Collegiate Recovery Community (CRC)

logo for the Collegiate Recovery Community in red

Our Collegiate Recovery Community (CRC) is a welcoming, peer-driven space for students exploring recovery. We support students who are in recovery, sober-curious, or seeking to reduce their risk around substance use in a respectful, judgment-free environment. You do not need a diagnosis, label, or any amount of time substance-free to show up!

CRC supports you through connection, encouragement, and wellness-based support. This includes using the SMART Recovery Toolbox, an evidence-informed approach to individual and group goal-setting, encouragement, and empowerment to define recovery on your own terms and thrive both on campus and beyond. All CRC staff have completed SMART Recovery 4-PointTraining. 

Recovery Defined

“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, 2012)

Recovery looks different for everyone. Each person’s journey is shaped by their own experiences, goals, needs, and vision of wellness.

Meet our CRC Staff

Maleah Herbaugh, MPH (she/her)

Health Promotion Specialist 

Maleah Herbaugh at the SJSU Student Wellness Center

Maleah oversees the CRC Program, you may see her facilitating meetings, hosting drop-in hours, or supporting outreach and events.

As SJSU’s Alcohol & Other Drug Health Promotion Specialist, Maleah supports Peer Health Education, opioid overdose prevention and harm reduction efforts, and substance use health education.

She is passionate about harm reduction and creating stigma-free spaces where students feel supported wherever they are in their journey. Maleah believes recovery is individual while recognizing the importance of community and connection for students who are sober-curious, in recovery, sober, or impacted by substance use. In her free time, she enjoys lounging with her cats, checking out coffee shops, and making trips to the beach. 

Charisse Ortega (she/her)

CRC Student Peer Mentor 

Charisse Ortega at the SJSU Student Wellness Center

Charisse is a student & advocate passionate about helping others feel supported, heard, & connected. Her experience in community leadership, peer support, conflict resolution, and Peer Health Education training shaped her understanding of the power in creating inclusive communities. 

Her academic interests include social justice, harm reduction, drug policy & evidence-based approaches to public health. 

In her free time she can be found ice skating, watercolor painting, spinning poi or dancing at a festival. Her goal as a peer mentor is to share what she’s learned through her own journey to support others, build community, encourage compassion & drive social change.

What to Expect 

When you attend a recovery meeting or CRC activities, you can just listen and share what feels right to you. This is simply a space for you to explore, connect with others, and find the right path for you when it comes to recovery or sobriety.

In addition to our meetings and drop in programming, we also host hobby hours, socials, tabling events, and collaborations with other programs on campus. These are open to any student. You do not need to be in recovery, and you do not need to explain why you came. 

CRC is not treatment or counseling or tied to student conduct violations. *CRC activities are not to be attended for class credit or as a requirement from any SJSU department or program. All activities are voluntary. Participation is not recorded in student records. 

Fall 2026 Recovery Schedule

Recovery meetings and drop ins are anonymous to promote trust and respect. 

All Recovery Meeting 

Mondays 6:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m. | Student Union Meeting Room 1B 

Any student looking to explore recovery, sobriety, or a life without substance use looks like is encouraged to attend our meetings. Students at any stage of recovery and at any point in their academic journeys are welcome. 

Drop In Hours 

Tuesdays 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. | SWC Wellness Lounge (SWC 101)

Fridays 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. (Hybrid) | SWC Wellness Lounge (SWC 101) or via Zoom

Peer mentor drop-in hours provide students the space to explore recovery, sober-curiosity, or reducing their drug/alcohol use in a one-on-one conversation. The Peer Mentor meets students where they are, offering a nonjudgmental, supportive, goal-oriented space for students to explore recovery support with someone who shares similar experiences. Stop by the SWC’s Wellness Lounge during drop-in hours to chat.

Sober Hobby Hours

Starting September 23rd, 2026

Biweekly, 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. | SWC Wellness Lounge (SWC 101) (Enter through Wellness Lounge South Patio)

Hobby Hour is a substance-free space to unwind, try something new, and connect with others. Join us for rotating hobbies, games, and occasional wellness and harm reduction activities. Open to students in recovery, sober-curious, or simply looking for substance-free fun. No labels or explanations needed—just come hang out.

CRC Key Values 

Healing 

Space to reflect, grow, and work through challenges at your own pace

Wellness 

Support for mental, physical, social, and academic well-being.  

Recovery/Sobriety

Community for students in recovery, sober-curious, or exploring a substance-free lifestyle. 

Harm Reduction 

Judgment-free education and resources to support reducing risks related to substance misuse and make safer, informed choices. 

Narcan and fentanyl test strips are available for free at the Student Wellness Center’s Wellness Lounge. Visit the Wellness Lounge’s front desk to pick up supplies, no appointment and no questions asked. Harm Reduction supplies can be for yourself, a roommate/friend, family member. Carrying these can prevent overdose and risk of overdose death. For more information about Harm Reduction Supplies, visit the Narcan & Test Strips webpage.

Program Contact

For more information about the Collegiate Recovery Community activities and resources, contact Maleah Herbaugh (she/her) maleah.herbaugh@sjsu.edu

Resources

Campus Resources

Community & Online Resources

Gambling Addiction Resources