Caroline McInnish

It takes bravery and vulnerability to start a recovery journey. Caroline McInnish embarked on her healing journey as a first-year student. Since then, she has pushed past the limits of her comfort zone to become an outspoken advocate for harm reduction and recovery initiatives.

As her nominator said, “Caroline is a student who recovers out loud so others don't have to suffer in silence.”

Caroline describes self-understanding and integrity as the ability to recognize your faults as well as celebrate your strengths and successes. She said that this sense of balance has guided her through her recovery, reinforcing itself through her progress.

She said, “When I began to understand the harm I was doing to myself and the people around me, I grappled with guilt. When I began to celebrate my resilience and courage, I became much more confident in my recovery and in myself overall.”

The Virginia Tech recovery community has played an essential role in her journey. She found the community during a time when she felt lost and a little hopeless. The community welcomed her with open arms. It helped her find her place, her voice, and a path forward.

As she became grounded in the community, she gained the confidence to share her story with others.

When she was invited to speak at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for The Roost LLC, a recovery housing community on campus, she embraced the opportunity despite her fear of public speaking. In front of over 100 guests, including representatives from news outlets, she shared her story and spoke to the importance of having recovery resources on campus.

“Overcoming my fear with something that impacted me so much was an amazing experience,” she said.

Her nominator described her speech as vulnerable and powerful, saying, “Caroline recounted experiences of struggle, heartbreak, and uncertainty, while also demonstrating the core components of self-understanding and integrity by sharing how recovery has shaped her identity and decision making.”

Caroline supports her community by providing peer support to students at recovery meetings and in individual conversation.

“Her voice and presence within both The Roost and Recovery communities have paved the way for other students to access a resource and to know they aren't alone in their journey,” said her nominator.

Caroline is guided by her faith and a firm believer in the doctrine of love. Before she makes a decision, she reflects on her intentions to make sure they are aligned with her values.

“Her strength and resilience are awe-inspiring,” said her nominator. “It’s been a true honor to walk alongside her as she's navigated the rough waters and growth that have transformed her experience of recovery over the past year.”

Caroline is a public health major in the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. She hopes to pursue a career in wellness at a university, or work for a non-profit organization increasing harm reduction resources in rural and underserved areas.

For courageously sharing her story to help others understand that they aren’t alone, Student Affairs is proud to present the Aspire! Award for Pursue SELF-UNDERSTANDING and INTEGRITY to Caroline McInnish.