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In Their Tracks: Christopher Hawley’s Journey from Recovery to Counseling
September 20, 2025
For Christopher Hawley, the road to Northwood Technical College began with a decision to turn his life around.
“Before I started at Northwood Tech, I was deep in my active addiction,” Hawley said. “I had nothing going for me and was caught up in a bad lifestyle. Everyone around me was disappointed in my choices. I ended up getting sober and got into a sober house here in New Richmond and began my journey of rebuilding my foundation.”
Hawley enrolled in the Human Services Associate program at Northwood Tech and is set to graduate in spring 2026. His decision to pursue education was rooted in a long-standing passion for helping others.
“I have always been passionate about helping those in need and discovered the Human Services Associate program at Northwood Tech,” he said. “I wanted to be able to show others struggling with mental health or substance abuse that there is a better life we can live. We can break the chains of addiction and be productive members of society.”
The support Hawley has found at the College has been a key part of his success. “My favorite part about attending Northwood Tech is the support of the staff, fellow classmates and my advisor Joel [Gibson, Human Services Associate program instructor at Northwood Tech] who has taught me so much valuable information and guided my journey,” he said. “He has been incredibly helpful and knowledgeable about the Human Services field. He has been understanding of challenging times and I’m always able to reach out to him when in need. Anytime I need help with something there are resources I have that will help me.”
Christopher Hawley, a Human Services Associate student at Northwood Tech, is preparing for a career helping others overcome addiction.
Returning to school after a decade wasn’t without challenges. “While pursuing my education in the beginning, it was extremely difficult navigating the My Campus portal and adjusting to being back in school after a 10-year break since graduating high school,” Hawley said. He credits the campus library and student services with helping him through those early difficulties.
Now, Hawley holds a Substance Abuse Counselor in Training (SAC-IT) license and is stepping into a role that once seemed out of reach. “I am most proud of obtaining my SAC-IT license and now going back into the same treatment centers I was once a client at, but now on the other side as a counselor,” he said.
Hawley looks forward to building on that achievement after graduation. “Obtaining full time employment as a counselor and being able to be a part of others recovery journeys,” he said.
He hopes his path will inspire others, especially his children. “My education will impact my life by providing a newfound purpose and give me the necessary tools to go out in the community and help those suffering from mental health and substance abuse,” Hawley said. “My education will also hopefully inspire my kids and those around me to never give up on your dreams!”
For Hawley, recovery and education go hand in hand, creating a foundation not just for his own future, but for the people he hopes to serve.
