Andrew McClinton’s journey to The University of Alabama started differently than many of his peers. After graduating from high school, he spent five years in the oil industry, working demanding shifts that required long hours and constant physical effort. Over time, that work began to take its toll and forced him to reflect on what he wanted for his future.
That realization became the turning point in Andrew’s life. In 2018, he moved to Tuscaloosa and enrolled at Shelton State Community College. Starting at a community college was a practical decision, but it became one of the most important steps in his academic journey.
“It was a good introduction to college, and it’s probably one of the best educational decisions I’ve ever made that prepared me for the University,” he said.
Shelton State provided Andrew with the foundation he needed to succeed and take the next steps in his education. After earning his associate degree in science, he transferred to UA with a presidential scholarship for transfer students and entered the mechanical engineering program.
Once he was at the Capstone, Andrew’s focus on academics remained strong. He dedicated himself to his coursework and research, but by the time he started graduate school, challenges began to surface. It was during this period when a close friend noticed Andrew was struggling and encouraged him to visit the Collegiate Recovery Community (CRC) through Collegiate Recovery and Intervention Services.
What Andrew expected to be a short trial quickly became a defining moment in his life.
“When I started there, I said that I was only going to be there for 30 days. That’s what I needed: to be sober for 30 days to determine whether I had a problem,” he said.
Through counseling and consistent support, the CRC provided him with the tools he needed to confront his addiction and begin recovery.
“I didn’t realize that would change my life forever for the better,” he said. “I’ve been sober for a little over a year and a half now from alcohol.”
Sobriety brought stability and clarity, but it also gave Andrew something he had not experienced during much of his time at UA. Through the CRC, he found community. For the first time, he felt connected beyond the classroom and lab.
“I would say having a community is probably the biggest thing and made me feel like a student the most,” he said. “I didn’t really have that community besides people I studied with, and then, in graduate school, I get involved with the CRC, and I found groups of friends and did college things, and I finally felt like a college student.”
That sense of belonging reshaped Andrew’s experience at The University of Alabama. Through the CRC, he built friendships that were rooted in shared understanding and support, allowing him to experience moments that once felt impossible and helping him feel fully present in his college experience.
Sobriety also allowed Andrew to be fully present for the most important milestones in his life.
“I got married, and I was sober and this is one of the biggest highlights of my life. I was able to enjoy it. I wasn’t a liability. I wasn’t causing problems. I didn’t have to wake up sick the next day. I was able to enjoy my entire wedding experience,” he said.
The Collegiate Recovery Community influenced Andrew’s decision to remain at UA and continue his education. The support he found through recovery became a steady, motivating presence as he looked toward his future. Today, he works as a research engineer at the Capstone while pursuing his PhD, a path he credits in large part to the encouragement and stability he gained through the CRC.
“Honestly, it was a big reason why I went back to get my PhD as well,” he said. “That support is unmatched anywhere outside of the campus.”
As Andrew reflects on his journey, he is thankful for the impact the CRC and The University of Alabama have had on his life.
“It’s changed my life forever and for the better,” he said.