The Substance Education, Assessment, & Recovery program at Pat Walker Health Center is pleased to announce that Ashley Jo Brown, the peer recovery specialist, recently earned her certification as an Arkansas Peer Recovery Specialist.

Brown, who joined SEAR in July 2023, discovered her calling to help others following her own lived experience and path toward long-term recovery. Originally from Linden, Texas, Brown's journey led her back to her hometown to raise her son and later complete a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences. After facing personal struggles and family loss attributed to substance use, Brown attended 12-step meetings and found sobriety on Oct. 8, 2020. That transformative experience fueled her passion for helping individuals new to recovery.

"One of the job requirements was to receive my certification with the state of Arkansas as a Peer Recovery Support Specialist," Brown said. "I completed 46 hours of training and 500 experience hours in different domains, which made me eligible to take the certification exam. Now, my job is to empower individuals and help them sustain recovery by connecting them with the support they need."

Brown's recent certification underscores her unwavering commitment to helping those affected by substance use. Through her work with Razorback Recovery, she has demonstrated the critical role of connection and community in guiding individuals toward healing and resilience.

"We commend Ashley Jo for her dedication and perseverance in achieving certification as an Arkansas Peer Recovery Specialist," said Jennifer Morris, SEAR program coordinator. "This accomplishment reflects the time, effort and commitment she has invested over the past year and a half through training, supervision and a rigorous examination. Since joining SEAR in July 2023, Ashley Jo has continued to show up for students of Razorback Recovery, demonstrating a passion for supporting others in recovery. We recognize this milestone as a significant step in her professional growth and look forward to seeing the positive impact she will continue to make in this role."

Brown brings a unique perspective to her role, having overcome personal challenges with addiction and loss. Her journey to recovery, which began on Oct. 8, 2020, inspired her to help others facing similar struggles. After moving to Fayetteville on March 25, 2022, she joined SEAR in July 2023, where she has been instrumental in supporting students in the Razorback Recovery community.

The certification as an Arkansas Peer Recovery Specialist recognizes Brown's expertise and commitment to providing peer support services, enhancing her ability to guide students on their recovery journeys. In her role, she emphasizes the importance of connection, fostering a supportive community where students can find hope and sustain their recovery.

This achievement marks a significant milestone in Brown's professional growth and reinforces SEAR's dedication to supporting student recovery.

For more information about SEAR or Pat Walker Health Center, visit health.uark.edu and follow @uarkhealth and @uarksear on Instagram. Questions can also be answered via email at sear@uark.edu or by calling 479-575-2500.

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About the Substance Education, Assessment and Recovery Program: The SEAR program provides direct individual and group interventions to university students with alcohol, cannabis, and other substance related concerns. SEAR offers a variety of research-based prevention, early intervention, and recovery support services and programs to promote a learning environment that supports healthy behavior choices, as well as raise awareness about the risks associated with alcohol abuse and illicit drug use. SEAR is a program at Pat Walker Health Center and part of the Division of Student Affairs. Learn more at health.uark.edu.