Nicholas Andersen, Program Director

Nicholas was born and raised in Davis County, Utah, where he experienced what many would consider a typical upbringing. He was an athlete, a strong student, and well-liked among his peers. Like many teens, he experimented with drugs and alcohol in high school, but still managed to graduate and soon embarked on service work in Singapore, East and West Malaysia, and Sri Lanka.

Despite his early ambitions, Nicholas eventually found himself slipping back into substance use. Over the next few years, his life unraveled, leading to strained family relationships and increasing chaos. Seeking a fresh start, his family helped him relocate to Idaho to live with his sister, where he made some progress—but lasting change proved elusive.

Nicholas returned to Utah, where his addiction spiraled further. He faced multiple arrests and legal challenges, including felony charges and probation violations. Traditional interventions—rehabs, therapy, and drug court—failed to create lasting impact. Facing the real possibility of years in prison, Nicholas realized he needed a different path.

That path began with a letter to Red Barn Academy. During his interview, founder Michael Haws challenged Nicholas in a way no one had before. The message was simple but powerful: if Nicholas truly loved his family, he wouldn't be sitting behind glass. It was a turning point.

In 2019, Nicholas was accepted into Red Barn Academy, where he began the hard work of rebuilding his life. He worked in the moving department, overcame destructive behaviors through structure, service, and accountability, and grew into a leader within the program. He completed his two-year commitment and chose to stay a third year, deepening his transformation and helping others do the same.

Nicholas went on to serve as Program Manager, then Program Director, and led the academy's marketing efforts—working with judges, lawyers, and community partners to help others find the same opportunity for change. He conducted student interviews, mentored incoming members, and became a respected leader within the Red Barn community.

Continuing his work in the therapeutic community model, Nicholas later joined the John Volken Academy, further strengthening his belief in peer-driven, mutual self-help recovery. Now, as Program Director at Harvest Academy in Iowa, Nicholas is committed to bringing this proven, purpose-driven model to others seeking transformation. His journey—from addiction and incarceration to leadership and service—stands as a powerful testament to the possibility of redemption, reinvention, and hope.

William Sisemore, Program Staff

William was born in Oklahoma and raised in Cherokee, Iowa by his mother and stepfather. Growing up, William enjoyed camping and swimming, pretty much anything outdoors. William struggled with substances throughout his teen years and adulthood which led him to a life of incarceration and homelessness. He realized he had hit rock bottom and if he did not do something to make a drastic change, he would soon end up dead or spend the rest of his life in and out of prisons and institutions. During his last six month jail stint, he came across Harvest Academy.

Coming to Harvest Academy, William did not necessarily know what he wanted, but knew what he needed to get away from; which was the lifestyle that was slowly killing him and any chance at a productive life. By making a commitment to change his life by completing the program, William took the first step towards personal responsibility and accountability for his life. He quickly learned the deep character defects that had plagued him his entire life and over time learned to combat and choose healthy alternatives. Throughout William’s stay, he had juggled many vocational responsibilities from being a kitchen manager, facility manager, and a move point along with community responsibilities. 

As his 24-month graduation approached, he decided to stay on for a voluntary third year to continue bettering his chances of having a productive life, as well as helping the students that came in after him. William continued being a valuable member of the Harvest Academy community where he was eventually offered a formal position as a program staff after completion of his third year.

As a program staff, William is a mentor and guide to the students as they go through the same journey that changed his life. The fact that William went through the program himself, better helps him relate and connect to the students while giving instant credibility that change is possible. Today William wakes up with ambition and a purpose to help individuals that have gone down the same road he did. “It’s not easy, but it’s never too late to change.

Troy Roberts, Program Staff

Troy grew up on the south side of Des Moines and was raised by a single mother. Most of his childhood was spent playing baseball amongst other sports which he excelled at.

As Troy got older he found that his love for sports started to dwindle and he began putting time and effort into all the wrong things. These choices led him to a life of criminality and substance use. What started merely as recreational use, eventually developed into habit, which then transformed into his lifestyle. He got into trafficking narcotics which ultimately led to him being raided and arrested. Understanding that continuing on this path was going to land him in prison for a majority of his life or worse, dead, he knew that something had to change. And while being incarcerated he found that opportunity in Harvest Academy.

Troy has gone through and graduated the Harvest Academy program, and along the way successfully discharged probation and voluntarily chosen to stick around to continue his own growth and contribute to others growth along the way. Today Troy is now employed as one of our program staff at Harvest Academy.

“I was lost and broken. Because of Harvest Academy I have been able to find, and piece myself back together. I have a purpose now. That purpose is helping those who have hit rock bottom, rise up and become the individuals they can be. The work is hard, but nothing in life worth having comes easy.”"