Bama Recovery

✨ STAFF SPOTLIGHT: SAVANNAH KIESEL ✨

Meet Savannah! 👋

One of our staff Therapists, Savannah has been part of our team since 2020. She started as an intern and, thankfully, never left!

🎓 She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from The University of Alabama and is currently working on her PhD dissertation at UA.

📚 When she’s not supporting students, you can probably find Savannah with a good book. She has a personal library collection that she considers one of her greatest treasures. As an avid traveler, she has visited 40 of the 50 states, more than 25 national parks, and 16 countries. She says she probably would have a travel blog in another life! 🌎Savannah is also an avid sports fan, especially football, hockey, and baseball. She’s even a season ticket holder for the Birmingham Bulls.

We’re so lucky to have Savannah as part of our team. 💙

Help us celebrate Savannah and her six years with Collegiate Recovery & Intervention Services! 🎉

A heartfelt thank you to The Nick’s Kids Foundation for their incredible generosity! We are honored to a beneficiary of their giveaway luncheon and are truly grateful!🐘❤️ Nick's Kids Foundation

Staff tour of our future home in the Student Well-Being Hub! 🐘❤️

🌟 Staff Spotlight: Natalie Holland 🌟

Meet Natalie!

Natalie joined The CRC in June 2025, but her first job in the field was in 2011. As the CRC Coordinator, one of her favorite parts of the job is helping students discover that recovery can be fun! Whether it’s hiking, floral design classes, or a new restaurant, she’s always planning the next adventure.

When she’s not at The CRC, you’ll likely find Natalie out on a run so she can keep up with her 3 young kiddos. 🙃When she’s not chasing them around, she’s probably making memories traveling with her husband, Matt and their kids.

A proud UA graduate, Natalie has a deep love for all things crimson and white. 🐘❤️🏈

Roll Tide!

🌟 Staff Spotlight: Kelly Miller 🌟

Kelly has been part of Collegiate Recovery and Intervention Services since the very beginning in 2012.

As our Assistant Director of Clinical Services, she oversees the clinical side of the department and loves working with clients and their families as they navigate life’s challenges.

Outside of work, Kelly is a proud mom of two teenagers. She, her husband, and their family love taking trips together (mainly to if Disney) 🏰✨

As a UA alum, Kelly has a deep love for the Capstone and is always ready to say ROLL TIDE🐘 Kelly Owens Miller

Pottery got outvoted by paintball in the spring, but we finally made it happen! 🎨 STILL FIRED UP

Before classes kick off, get to know the people behind Collegiate Recovery and Intervention Services!

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be introducing different staff members to help you get acquainted before the new semester begins.

We’re kicking off our Staff Spotlight series with the head honcho himself-Greg Vander Wal

Greg serves as The Executive Director for our department, Collegiate Recovery and Intervention Services (CRIS), as well as the Counseling Center here at UA. A clinical psychologist, Greg has dedicated nearly a decade to supporting student mental health in higher education. When he’s not on campus, you can find Greg performing on stage at our local theater or traveling the country with his wife and their four kids.

Be sure to follow along as we introduce the rest of our amazing team before the semester begins! 🎉

Last Family Dinner of the summer! 🐘❤️

We may slow down during the summer, but that gives us the opportunity to focus on something just as important-serving others. 💛

Today, we put service into action at our local food pantry. If you haven’t already, check out Table of Grace Table of Grace and the incredible work they’re doing to fight food insecurity and support our community. We’re grateful for the opportunity to serve alongside them!

Happy last week of the semester! We hope you crush your finals like we crushed paintball last week 💥