-Stephanie Shockley
My name is Stephanie Shockley and I am a graduate student at Hazelden Graduate School for Addiction Studies. I arrived in Minnesota last April to begin a process of becoming a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor. The graduate program at Hazelden involves practicum and internship work in tandem with academic studies. As part of my internship placements, I have worked on a men’s unit at Hazelden and in the Wellness department teaching relaxation and self-regulation techniques. Along with the Wellness program, I studied equine assisted therapy at Acres of Life in Chisago City.
It is hard to believe that school has been in session for almost 8 weeks and the weather is finally becoming bearable to go outside. As I was traveling through a snow storm from Tennessee to Minnesota over the holiday break to start my internship at StepUP, I received word my first day at Augsburg College was cancelled due to the extreme cold weather. The welcome I experienced at StepUP was warm and embracing, an oasis from the cold, and my fear of a new and exciting adventure melted. Moving from Tennessee to Minnesota has been a culture shock and I am just beginning to consider myself a resident of the gopher state.
The reason I applied for the internship at StepUP is because I have a passion for recovery as it relates to young adults in sobriety. In the past I have worked with a recovery high school raising money. During those years, I developed a respect for young people committed to their recovery and a new way of life in the face of so many challenges associated with high school and college. Listening to the inspiring stories of courage, I was motivated to continue this work in a more profound way. I worked at a treatment center as a tech for several years and wanted to deepen my knowledge and contribution to the field of addiction. Because of my experiences with youth in recovery, I returned to college to pursue my masters in addiction studies.
I am honored to be a part of the StepUP team. What an incredible resource for Augsburg and the community at large. The staff here is sincere in their mission to support students in their lives and take a personal stake in the commitment to meet each student where they are on their recovery path. The best part of my time here has been meeting and interacting with the students. Each student brings a unique and individual perspective to recovery and life. The energy the students project is motivating as well as contagious and I am filled with enthusiasm about sober living in a collegiate setting. I am grateful to share the journey with the StepUP students as they navigate life’s triumphs and sorrows.
I look forward to my next two months at StepUP and getting to know each of you better. Thank you for the opportunity to be an Auggie!
Light and love,
Stephanie