NCHEC FAQ’s
Do you work with students?
Yes! The NCHEC team works with many students hoping to enter into the behavioral health field through APNC & the NCTTA Center. Programs include Leadership Academy, Prevention & Recovery Fellowships, internships, and a student/young professional newsletter! The best way to learn more about these programs is to email nchec@apnc.org or check out APNC & the NCTTA Center’s websites.
What campus types do you work with?
The NCHEC team is thrilled to offer services to all NC institutions of higher education. We have 110 systemed campuses in our great state! We are happy to work with you no matter what type of campus you are: Public, Independent, Community College, 2-Year, 4-Year, HBCU, MSI.. the list goes on!
What is the difference between NCHEC and NCHEW?
NCHEC, the NC Higher Education Consortium, is a part of services provided by the Addiction Professionals of NC. The staff is ready to support all campuses of higher education within the state and have specific deliverables/projects they work on each year.
NCHEW, the NC Higher Education Wellness and Alcohol and Other Drug Coalition, is a stand alone coalition run by NC campuses. NCHEW has its own chairperson, membership, and goals. The NCHEC team provides logistical support to the coalition but does not own it.
A campus does NOT have to be a member of NCHEW to be served by the NCHEC team, but being part of a coalition does come with added benefits including collaboration and learning from peers! Each campus should decide what is best for them.
I don’t know where to start. Help!
No worries! We know trying to get involved can sometimes feel overwhelming. If you need a little jump start, reach out to nchec@apnc.org and our team will help you narrow in on where to start with us.
NCHEW FAQ’s
My campus is interested in joining NCHEW - what do I do?
Amazing! Please fill out this form and a member of our team will be in touch shortly. It may also be helpful to begin reviewing the NCHEW Membership Letter of Commitment.
Why should I join NCHEW?
NCHEW is committed to providing a dedicated space that fosters professional support, collaboration, and knowledge acquisition for all staff members of NC Higher Education. We believe in the power of collective efforts, and together, we can create a healthier and more resilient campus and community. Some benefits of being part of the coalition include:
- Collaborative efforts with peers in your field
- Dedicated networking time
- Free continuing education trainings & peer sharing/learning opportunities
- Early notice of funding opportunities from NCHEC/APNC
- Free job posting
- 1-1 technical assistance from the NCHEC team through site visits
- Group technical assistance from NCHEC through coalition meetings
- …and more!
Are my GA’s and Interns allowed to attend trainings?
Sometimes! Most trainings are open to GAs and Interns. Exceptions may occur based on spots available or topic. If you are ever uncertain please feel free to reach out to our team at nchec@apnc.org.
How much does membership cost?
We mean it when we say membership in the coalition is completely free! Each August, campus partners are asked to sign a letter of commitment stating they will do their best to uphold the coalition’s values: collaboration, knowledge sharing, and professional support.
How do I maintain my membership?
To uphold your esteemed membership within the coalition, we kindly request your participation in signing a coalition agreement, affirming your commitment to the principles of attending 1 in-person meeting, 2 virtual meetings, and supporting your fellow campuses.
How do I know about upcoming events?
Our team will keep your calendar filled with all the latest happenings. And for your convenience, we’ve also created a dedicated calendar where you can easily keep track of the events we host throughout the year.
What kind of assistance can the coalition’s supporting staff offer me?
The staff of the North Carolina Higher Education Consortium is committed to providing comprehensive support to your campus in a variety of ways! Here are a few examples of our collaborations with other campuses:
- Provided staff training sessions on substance use-related topics
- Developed resources such as faculty syllabi statements, parent orientation materials, and policy templates
- Facilitated connections between campuses and vital stakeholders, research initiatives, grants, and necessary resources
Rest assured that the North Carolina Higher Education Consortium is equipped to meet your campus’s unique needs!
PREVENTION FAQ’s
What is Collegiate Prevention?
Collegiate Prevention can be defined as strategies, initiatives, and programs designed to prevent or reduce the use of substances among college students. This includes, but is not limited to, alcohol, tobacco, prescription drugs, and other drugs. Collegiate prevention efforts often involve educational campaigns, campus policies, support services, and community partnerships aimed at promoting healthy behaviors, reducing substance-related harm, and fostering a safe and supportive environment for students to make informed choices regarding substance use.
How can NCHEC help our prevention team?
The NCHEC team looks to serve you and your campus through trainings and technical assistance (TA). Our team defines TA as trainings, research, connection, and resources. Here are a few examples of things we’ve completed for campus partners in the past: syllabi statements, material reviews, trainer or campus introductions, resource sparknotes, policy research and summary, talking points, and more!
RECOVERY FAQ’s
What is a Collegiate Recovery Program or Community?
A Collegiate Recovery Program (CRP) is a college or university-provided program that includes a supportive environment within the campus culture. CRPs reinforce the decision to engage in a lifestyle of recovery from addiction/substance use disorder. It is designed to provide an educational opportunity alongside recovery supports to ensure that students do not have to sacrifice one for the other. (ARHE, 2017)
What is the difference between a collegiate recovery effort, community, and program?
While these terms are often used interchangeably in many settings, North Carolina has worked to provide clear context and differentiation. This approach helps better support our campuses with prioritized trainings and technical assistance, giving each level a distinct definition and tailored support needs.
Efforts – Early-stage initiatives within higher education that establish the foundation for supporting students in recovery. These efforts may begin as awareness campaigns, staff led support, or informal peer connections to create a structured environment for recovery to take root on campus.
Communities – Organized student-led and staff-supported groups that provide consistent recovery support on campus. Communities emphasize peer leadership, mutual aid, and inclusive programming, while working toward strengthening fidelity of recovery practices and preparing for structured program expansion.
Programs – Fully developed, institutionally recognized, and system-integrated programs that provide comprehensive recovery support services on campus. Programs are positioned to align with accreditation standards, integrate across the institution, and contribute to long-term strategic planning for the recovery ecosystem.
Why should my campus invest in Collegiate Recovery?
For so many years, college campuses have been looked at as “Recovery Hostile Environments” and until recently, it was thought to be less than ideal to send a young person in early recovery into a college setting for fear of the triggers and temptations that might disrupt their progress in a life of recovery. Today, students choose between their recovery and their education because of Collegiate Recovery Programs.
While each campus is outfitted with a list of campus resources related to substance use prevention and early intervention, a collegiate recovery program is a vital piece that helps to change the culture on a college campus and sets a tone that students look out for one another. Participants in a collegiate recovery community often have a higher GPA than their non-participatory counterparts, graduate at a faster rate, and have a higher sense of school spirit and pride!
Are there other Collegiate Recovery Programs or Communities in North Carolina?
As of Fall 2025, there are approximately 30 collegiate recovery programs, communities and efforts in the state of North Carolina reaching community colleges, our independent institutions, and our UNC System schools, including all five of our HBCUs. A list of all of our participating schools can be found here.
Where else can I learn more about Collegiate Recovery?
Supporting collegiate recovery really is a heavy lift and NCHEC works alongside national organizations such as the Higher Education Center for Alcohol and other Drug Misuse Prevention and Recovery, Association of Recovery in Higher Education, SAFE Project, SAMHSA Office of Recovery, among others. More locally, NCHEC seeks support from a host of organizations such as the North Carolina Recovery Alliance Initiative, NC Harm Reduction Coalition, and many others to provide our campus partners with the most up-to-date information and resources possible to see their programs thrive.
