2025 is looking to be an incredible year for the Association of Recovery in Higher Education (ARHE), and we’re thrilled to announce some major changes in our team’s leadership roles. These transitions reflect our organization’s growth and our commitment to advancing the mission of collegiate recovery.
Louise Irizarry has shifted to the role of Assistant Controller from her long-time role as the Business Manager. Louise was the very first paid staff member at ARHE and has worked for the organization in a part-time capacity for over a decade. Louise will move to a full-time role in April, overseeing and managing the organization’s financial operations, supporting membership operations, and overseeing administrative systems. By maintaining financial integrity and assisting in budgetary planning and management, this role enables the organization to focus on empowering collegiate recovery programs. “I am incredibly excited to join ARHE’s team full-time in April,” Louise says. “Having been with ARHE since its inception, I’m thrilled to dedicate all my professional energy to an organization that truly makes a difference in the lives of students. Growth and success can be challenging, but they are also immensely rewarding, especially with ARHE’s mission to change the trajectory of students in recovery.”
Bret Frazier has been promoted to Technical Assistance & Outreach Manager, stepping up from his previous position as Technical Assistance Coordinator. Becoming a Technical Assistance hub for Collegiate Recovery in 2024 thanks to a SAMHSA grant, ARHE hired Bret to a brand-new grant-funded position. After one year in the role, Bret could not have predicted the high volume of TA requests, but he rose to the challenge and responded to an astounding number of requests, demonstrating the need for increased TA capability. In a management role, Bret will be able to oversee additional contracted staff and ensure high quality and consistent TA service for all programs. “I’m excited to step into the role of Technical Assistance and Outreach Manager, where I can continue supporting collegiate recovery programs while fostering connections and expanding our impact nationwide,” says Bret.
Mack Park has taken on the newly created position of Assistant Director, a promotion from their role as Membership and Outreach Manager. The Assistant Director of the Association of Recovery in Higher Education (ARHE) plays a key role in advancing ARHE’s mission and is responsible for assisting with the day-to-day operations, coordinating key initiatives, supporting member engagement, and assisting the Executive Director in strategic planning and implementation. The Assistant Director will serve as a leader within ARHE, ensuring the organization’s sustainability and growth while maintaining alignment with its core values and mission. “I’m both excited and humbled to be given the opportunity to serve ARHE as the Assistant Director,” says Mack. “Throughout various roles within the organization, I have had the opportunity to work alongside so many talented and passionate individuals and one thing that I know for sure is that there is no other job I would want more than this one. Every day we are given an opportunity to serve the staff and students in this profession to the best of our ability; it is both an honor and a great a responsibility to do so. The ARHE staff have grown into a truly amazing team, and we have all accomplished a tremendous amount over the past few years. I can’t wait to see what the next year brings for the organization and the profession as a whole!”
ARHE’s Executive Director, Kristina Canfield, reflects on these exciting changes:
“I am thrilled with these leadership transitions within ARHE. First, I want to congratulate Mack Park on moving into the brand-new Assistant Director position. Since joining ARHE in 2020, Mack has demonstrated an unwavering passion for collegiate recovery and a commitment to the growth and support of both our profession and ARHE.
“I also want to extend my congratulations to Bret Frazier, stepping into the role of Technical Assistance and Outreach Manager. This month marks Bret’s one-year anniversary with ARHE, and he has already made a significant impact, particularly in building out our new technical assistance initiatives.
“Finally, I am excited for Louise to officially take on the title of Assistant Controller. As our longest-standing employee, Louise has been a steadfast presence at ARHE, supporting us through every iteration of the organization. Her shift into this role will be instrumental in helping ARHE fulfill its mission and vision.
“Together, we will help propel ARHE forward, and I couldn’t be more excited for what the future holds!”
