Alumni Student Success: Dreama Kelly

A portrait of a woman.
Dreama Kelly, an alumna of Eastern who graduated with an AAS degree in 2012, and later earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in counseling.

Name: 

Dreama Kelly

Degree(s) earned from Eastern and from other schools:

  • Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College, AAS BOG, 2012
  • Liberty University, BS Psychology Crisis Counseling, 2013
  • Liberty University, MA Human Services Counseling Marriage & Family, 2014

Are you still taking classes? If so, where and what degree are you working toward?

I continue taking online personal and professional enrichment courses.

Current Employer/Job (if applicable):

Your Life Coaching WV, LLC – Owner, Coach, Speaker, Case Manager, Author

What is something you learned (knowledge, training, skills) during your academic program that you utilize in your workplace and/or current studies?

How to study by the ‘dashboard lights’?  Seriously, though, as an adult learner, my college experience taught me to make the most of every opportunity. Good time management and prioritization skills are important tools to master.

Please share if courses, faculty, and/or staff at Eastern contributed to your career/educational success and how they helped:

I have to give a shout-out to [Eastern’s now-retired academic dean] Debra Backus and psychology professor Mark Bennear. Mark’s special “200” psychology class offerings fit perfectly into my chosen educational and career path. As for Debra…just when I needed it, she shared five words with me: “Just finish your ___ degree.” She may not have known it at the time, but it was the push I needed.

What advice would you give to current Eastern students who are looking to follow a similar path to a job or continued studies?

Don’t stop! It takes a lot of determination to earn a degree. I know that my AAS from Eastern is the foundation upon which the other two were built. One of my favorite reminders comes from the book of Zechariah where we’re reminded to not despise the days of small beginnings, that the Lord rejoices to see the work begin…but it’s up to us to keep the momentum going.

What are some of your recent accomplishments and achievements in the workforce or in your continued studies:

Based upon my book, “Beyond the Bully: Facing Your Life’s Nemesis,” I have been given the opportunity to participate in radio podcast interviews. First published in 2016 by Christian Faith Publishing, “Beyond the Bully” continues to offer opportunities beyond my imagination. For fun, I write and self-publish Christian romance novels. Writing under the pen name Jordan J. Patterson, my stories touch on real-life issues.


Are you an Eastern graduate? Have you completed an Ag workforce training program at Eastern? Are you a former Early Entrance student who transferred credits to another college or university? If you are, and you want to share your success story, we would love to hear from you! Email marketing@easternwv.edu today!

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