CCRC Director to Lead International Mental Health Initiative—College Announces Return of Kitty Harris
Thomas Kimball, Ph.D., LMFT, served as the director for Center for Collegiate Recovery Communities (CCRC) for 10 years. The CCRC provides Texas Tech students a supportive community to individuals in recovery. Kimball will now serve the university by directing a mental health and international recovery initiative.
“Kimball will lead the effort to develop a collegiate mental health initiative on campus and continue the important international collaborations concerning recovery,” said College of Human Sciences dean, Tim Dodd. “This effort is underway and will have many benefits for our students and our college.”
Kimball will also continue as an associate professor in the Department of Community Family and Addiction Sciences. The college would like to thank Kimball for his many years of service and the expertise he's brought to the program and CCRC.
Kitty Harris, Ph.D., LMFT, LCDC, has agreed to step in as the interim director for the CCRC. Harris has a rich history with Texas Tech and the College of Human Sciences. She served 12 years as the director for Center for the Study of Addiction and Recovery, now referred to as the Center for Collegiate Recovery Communities, worked as a professor emeritus, and is currently the CEO of NLW Partners, an online substance use disorder treatment program.
“As interim director, I plan to listen to the individuals currently holding positions and to determine the needs for them to do their jobs effectively and serve our students,” Harris said. “I hope to support, improve, and affirm programs currently being provided to the students. The success of our students is in the forefront of our work.”
Along with Harris, Larry Vanderwoude has agreed to assist and will provide guidance and support during the transition. Vanderwoude is a recent graduate from the Community, Family, and Addiction Sciences department and has been involved with the CCRC for years as a mentor. He is passionate about helping those in recovery and will help lead the future of the CCRC.
“I'm delighted that both of these individuals have agreed to serve in this role, as they both have substantial experience and a passion for service to our students,” Dodd said.
The Center for Collegiate Recovery Communities is changing students' lives and helping individuals going through recovery by giving them support and resources. The new leadership of the CCRC will further the College of Human Sciences' mission of improving and enhancing human health and wellness.