Maysa Mohmoud and and philanthropists Kathy and Ray HayesThe Association of Recovery in Higher Education has honored University of Alabama at Birmingham student Maysa Mohmoud and philanthropists Kathy and Ray Hayes with national awards as part of its annual Collegiate Recovery Day.
Collegiate Recovery Day, held each year on April 15, marks the founding of the association and celebrates collegiate recovery programs, students in recovery and the staff that support them. The group announced the winners of the Annual Collegiate Recovery Awards as well.
Mohmoud was named Collegiate Recovery Student of the Year Award, and Kathy and Ray Hayes were named Collegiate Recovery Philanthropist of the Year Award.
This marks the second and third awards received by people who are part of the UAB Collegiate Recovery Community, the first being Kristina Canfield, who received Collegiate Recovery Staff of the Year in 2019. The UAB CRC welcomes students and participants of all backgrounds and walks of life to join its inclusive and affirming community of people committed to long-term recovery, health and wellness.
“The UAB CRC staff are immensely proud of Maysa, who has been a tireless advocate for her peers in or seeking recovery from substance use disorder on UAB’s campus,” Canfield said. “Her willingness to share her story has inspired others and has even helped some of her peers seek a path of recovery during their time at UAB.
“Kathy and Ray Hayes have been an integral part of the growth of collegiate recovery throughout the University of Alabama System, and their philanthropy here at UAB has directly helped our CRC students as well as our community as a whole,” Canfield said.
Mohmoud is a student at UAB in long-term recovery. Since graduating with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, Mohmoud has continued her education in a Master of Clinical/Medical Social Work program, in the College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Social Work. She works as a graduate associate in UAB’s Wellness Promotion department and advocates for mental health access and recovery services.
Ray and Kathy Hayes are Mississippi natives, receiving college degrees from Mississippi State University. The Hayeses’ professional lives have included opportunities in Mississippi, Texas and Alabama. Ray Hayes is chancellor emeritus of the University of Alabama System, and has actively worked to assist all UA campuses and communities to advance behavioral health services. His focus was on the collaborative efforts of academia, research and service. Currently, all three campuses of the University of Alabama System have active and ongoing Collegiate Recovery programs. Additionally, specialized research and intervention services are a major focus at UAB and UA. The UA System represents and serves more than 70,000 undergraduate and graduate students.
As a passionate advocate for Collegiate Recovery, Kathy Hayes is active as a writer and speaker. She frequently speaks on the topic of the family dynamics of addiction and recovery. Her vulnerable and honest insights give a fresh look into the world parents face as they walk through the issues of behavioral health. She is the chairperson of the Advisory Council for Collegiate Recovery and Intervention Services at the University of Alabama.