Finding purpose beyond recovery: How one student has rebuilt her future with MCTC

Published on Sep 8, 2025

By Rachel Adkins

Alexandra Donovan, a Montgomery County resident, is on the path to utilize her experience and credentials earned at Maysville Community and Technical College to help recovering addicts improve their lives.

Using her applied science in human services toward getting a higher degree, Donovan’s goal is to be a licensed social worker and certified in counseling for substance use disorder. 

Currently, she is employed by Addiction Recovery Care (ARC) as an intake coordinator. 

“Today, I get to help those who struggle with addiction like I once struggled…to find the light and hope, and hopefully a better life,” Donovan stated. 

After 5 years of sobriety, Donovan wants nothing more than to be a counselor and help struggling addicts. Despite the obstacles of getting help, Donovan was able to get the support she needed—both through MCTC and ARC.

“I always felt like nobody understood exactly what I was going through because I always felt like I was being judged for the word addiction, until I found a program here in Montgomery County…I just felt like this was where I was meant to be,” she remarked. “I was meant to be helping other people, and I knew I wanted to learn what I could do with a school and a degree to be able to help people, so that’s kind of where I’m at today.”

When Donovan first decided to go back to school, she had some fears and even wanted to attend a larger university before choosing her local community college.

“I was so scared going back to school, being my age and being out of school for so long, and honestly, I was embarrassed,” she said. “I decided that with my anxiety, my fears, and my self-doubt, that maybe I should try to attend a technical school or community college, so that way it’s smaller and I can get all the hands-on experience that I need, and the tools that I need to learn before I go to a university.”

Donovan relayed that her choice to attend MCTC was the right decision, reinforcing her confidence that she could succeed in life despite the challenges she has faced.

“I am where I’m at today because of everybody that helped me through my MCTC journey, and I’m so thankful,” Donovan explained. “Everybody there was so understanding, so nice, so supportive, and encouraging, and I feel like just having that support helped me build up my confidence and see that it doesn’t matter how old you are or how long you’ve been out of school. What matters now is something better for your life and your family’s life. It made me believe in myself.”

She noted that, because the institution offered a close-knit relationship with her professors and support staff, she was able to see how truly involved the employees at MCTC can be. 

“The teachers and the staff really do care about us (students). They really do want to see us learn and succeed in life. That’s so amazing to experience and see,” Donovan remarked.

Donovan gave some advice to current and prospective students at MCTC. 

“Don’t be ashamed to reach out and ask questions, don’t be embarrassed. And don’t forget to enjoy this journey because it goes by so quickly and you’ll miss it one day,” she said.

Learn more about earning a degree in human services at MCTC.