It was a Community College of Vermont class assignment that showed Wayne his path toward recovery. Now the program director at an addiction recovery center, Wayne’s own relationship to addiction began as a teenager. He dropped out of high school, later earning his GED and enrolling in community college. While at CCV, Wayne attended a 12-step meeting to fulfill a class requirement. Wayne regards that meeting, and the messages he received there, as the seeds that developed into his recovery.

Wayne completed an associate’s degree in human services and addiction, continued on to earn his bachelor’s degree, and now aims for two more credentials: a master’s degree and his licensure as an addiction counselor. What’s more, he’s inspired both his parents and his fiancé to attend college.