Vanessa Betancourt
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Hey Y’all! I’m Vanessa, one of the Rocky Top Recovery Ambassadors. I am a graduate student in the Doctor of Nursing Practice program with a concentration in psychiatric mental health and a psychiatric and detox registered nurse. I got involved with RTR during my senior year of undergrad when I attended a Recovery Ally training. That training and my nursing mentor inspired me to follow my passion of becoming an advocate for Vols in recovery or those with a desire to explore recovery. I have lived mental health experience and am from a family who has a history of addiction and mental health conditions. Being part of a collegiate recovery program allows me to reduce the stigma surrounding recovery, feel empowered in my recovery, and provide Vols with a community where they feel recovery is possible! I lead social media content creation and co-lead the Mental Health Monday meetings. In my free time, I love to shop and spend quality with my friends and family!
Grace Hardin
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Hello! My name is Grace Hardin and I am a senior at The University of Tennessee Knoxville in the College Scholars Program! I’ve been involved in Rocky Top Recovery since attending the 2021 Collegiate Recovery Conference my freshman year of college. Rocky Top Recovery gives me the opportunity to connect individuals to resources available on campus, teach others about harm reduction, and spread awareness about various mental health and/or substance misuse topics. I lead our outreach initiatives, if you want more information, please email me! When I’m not working, there’s a good chance I’m spending time with my fluffy, VERY orange cat, Duckworth.
Quincey Pawlikowski
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Hi everyone! My name is Quincey Pawlikowski and I am proud to say that I am a Rocky Top Recovery Ambassador here at UTK. As a Rocky Top Recovery Ambassador, I co-facilitate weekly mental health support groups, guiding students through various psychoeducational activities. I am currently a junior who is majoring in psychology with a minor in child and family studies. I got involved with Rocky Top Recovery my freshman year at UTK after stumbling across their table at the Student Engagement Fair. Growing up, I’ve struggled with poor mental health and have closely encountered the consequences of stigmatizing the recovery process. Fortunately, this sparked my interest to advocate for those in need of help, making the recovery process more accessible for all. In my free time, I love to line dance at the Cotton Eyed Joe with friends. That all being said, I am thrilled to help evolve Rocky Top into a stigma free campus… Go Vols!
Gracie Watters
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Hi, I’m Gracie Watters, a senior studying Psychology at the University of Tennessee. My journey in the realm of recovery has been both transformative and fulfilling, and I’m excited to share a bit about it with you.
I joined Rocky Top Recovery when I transferred schools last year. As a student in recovery, I sought out this program to connect with others who understand my experiences and to find a supportive community that aligns with my goals. The decision to get involved was driven by my desire to share the insights and wisdom I’ve gained from my own journey, with the hope of helping others find their own path to peace and sobriety.
This semester, I am honored to be leading the All Recovery meetings, where we come together to support each other and share our experiences. I also collaborate with my fantastic coworkers to plan and coordinate various events that foster connection and growth within our recovery community. Additionally, I will be actively engaging with you all on our social media page, where I’ll be posting daily meditations and information about different recovery pathways.
On a personal note, I’m currently working on a poetry book that explores the realities of addiction and the journey to overcome it. It’s been a deeply rewarding project that allows me to channel my experiences into something meaningful and inspiring.
Thank you for being part of this community. I look forward to connecting with you and supporting each other in our recovery journeys.