At Positive Recovery, we believe in celebrating the individuals who are shaping the future of addiction recovery. One of those changemakers is John Shiflet, a longtime advocate for collegiate recovery programs and a person in long-term recovery himself since May 1, 2007.
Meet John Shiflet, Ph.D. Student, MSW
Program Director of Collegiate Recovery Services at Texas A&M
John Shiflet is a person living in long-term recovery since May 1, 2007. In 2008, he was accepted as a student into the Center for the Study of Addiction and Recovery at Texas Tech University. John graduated from Texas Tech University with a bachelor’s degree in Community, Family, and Addiction Services in December 2012. By 2013, he was serving as the director of Cougars in Recovery, the collegiate recovery community at the University of Houston.
In May 2019, John earned his Master of Social Work degree with a clinical focus from the University of Houston. Today, he leads the Aggie Recovery Community as the Director of Collegiate Recovery Services at Texas A&M. He also serves as the Southwest Regional Representative for the Association of Recovery in Higher Education (ARHE), a national organization dedicated to supporting collegiate recovery efforts.
John’s work has impacted hundreds of students across multiple campuses, offering hope, structure, and a sense of belonging to young people facing the challenges of addiction and mental health disorders.
Recently, John was selected by his peers to receive the Staff of the Year award at the Collegiate Recovery National Conference in New Orleans, an honor that reflects his tireless commitment to building recovery-friendly campuses and creating communities where students can thrive.
Changing the Narrative of Recovery in College
When John first joined us as a guest on the Positive Recovery MD podcast in 2020, he offered a powerful reframe of what recovery can look like in the college setting. Instead of viewing sobriety as something restrictive or isolating, John shared a vision of recovery that felt more like gathering around a bonfire sharing life, laughter, and meaningful conversations.
A few topics discussed include:
- The power of accountability and doing things together
- How addressing addiction head on is more beneficial than hiding from it
- Why intentional goal setting increases our recovery process
- How practicing gratitude allows us to focus on the positives
- Why building a strong community helps us become better individuals
Through his leadership, John has helped show that recovery can be joyful, community-based, and deeply fulfilling. On the podcast, he emphasized the power of accountability, intentional goal setting, and gratitude as key components of the recovery journey. His message was clear: the recovery process doesn’t have to be mundane or lonely, rather, it can be purposeful, engaging, and life-giving.
Why Collegiate Recovery Programs Matter
College is often painted as a time of freedom and exploration, but for students in recovery, it can also be a season filled with risk. Without the right support, young adults face social pressures, academic stress, and mental health challenges that can threaten their progress.
That’s why collegiate recovery programs like the ones John leads are so essential. These communities provide students with a safe space, peer support, and structured resources to maintain their sobriety while pursuing higher education. From recovery housing and counseling to weekly meetings and sober events, these programs are designed to empower students, not isolate them.
John’s work with Cougars in Recovery and now with Aggie Recovery has set the bar high for what these programs can achieve. His compassionate leadership, clinical expertise, and lived experience make him a trusted guide for students navigating the ups and downs of recovery.
Creating a Lasting Impact Through Peer Support
John’s influence extends beyond any one campus. Through his role with the Southwest Regional Representative for Association of Recovery in Higher Education, and his dedication to mentoring others, he continues to advocate for more accessible, student-centered recovery support across the country. His journey reminds us that recovery is not just about overcoming addiction, it’s about building a life of connection, meaning, and purpose.
We’re proud to know and celebrate John Shiflet who is a leader, advocate, and example of what’s possible when recovery and education go hand in hand.
At Positive Recovery, we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to heal and grow, especially during transformative seasons like college. If you or someone you love is navigating recovery during school or considering a collegiate program, know that support exists. Leaders like John Shiflet are proof that recovery can flourish in academic settings and that with the right guidance, students can build a future full of hope, joy, and lasting success.