For Eberly graduates Dionne and Trey Redden, earning college degrees was proof to themselves that it’s never too late to start again. After years spent balancing careers and family responsibilities, the siblings accomplished their academic goals and celebrated together on May 17 as they sat side by side in the Hope Coliseum and crossed the commencement stage one after the other.
“I’m kind of ecstatic about it,” he said. “At the age that I am now, it’s amazing. It feels great. Especially because I get to do it with my sister too.”
Originally from Pennsauken, New Jersey, the siblings took very different paths before eventually finding themselves at WVU pursuing the same goal. Dionne built a career rooted in public service, working as a police detective, school patrol officer and foster parent while dedicating much of her life to helping children and families. Trey explored multiple career paths over the years, including cosmetology, phlebotomy and business before moving to Morgantown in 2019 and beginning work at WVU.
For the siblings, graduating together made the accomplishment even more meaningful. Dionne intentionally waited several months after finishing her coursework so she and her brother could receive their diplomas together at commencement.
“Had it not been for Trey, I probably wouldn’t have pursued this degree,” Dionne said. “It was his push that got me motivated to try and do it again.”
The Regents Bachelor of Arts program gave both siblings the opportunity to return to school in a way that fit their lives. Designed for nontraditional students, the R.B.A. program allows students to build on previous college coursework, professional experience and certifications while offering flexibility through online and adaptable class formats.
“I started first,” he said. “Then I told my sister, and she was intrigued about it. She looked into it, and then she finally enrolled.”
For Trey, the program made it possible to finish a goal he had carried with him for years while working full-time at WVU as a Postal Worker.
“I always had it in my head that I wanted to enroll here and get a degree,” he said. “Working around campus and seeing everybody graduating every year, I kept telling myself, ‘That’s going to be me one day.’ And now I’m here.”
Trey’s coursework focused primarily on communications, marketing and public relations - subjects he said connected naturally to his previous experience managing employees as a business owner.
“Being a former business owner and hiring employees and trying to work through certain situations and issues, some of the classes that I took with communication and public relations. It all played in,” he said.
Along the way, he earned recognition on the President’s List and was inducted into the National Society of Leadership and Success, accomplishments he said were among the proudest moments of his academic journey.
Dionne’s path to graduation was shaped by decades of service and caregiving. While raising and fostering children, and working full-time in areas including Medicaid, child protection services and the Board of Education, she never fully let go of the idea of finishing college.
She initially pursued studies connected to criminal justice and psychology, drawing from her law enforcement background. But as she continued through the R.B.A. program, she found herself increasingly drawn toward human services and social work.
“What really kicked in was the helping piece,” she said. “That’s when I shifted gears.”
Her coursework became deeply connected to her experiences as a foster parent and advocate for children and families. Returning to school later in life also came with challenges. At 60 years old, Dionne balanced coursework alongside work and family responsibilities while adapting to changing technology and online learning platforms.
“I was determined to do this one way or the other,” she said. “Even if I had to do it one course at a time.”
That determination paid off. Dionne graduated with honors, an accomplishment she said caught her completely by surprise.
“That was the best,” she said. “Finally completing the classes and then graduating with honors.”
Now, after reaching a milestone years in the making, both siblings hope their stories encourage other nontraditional students to consider returning to school.
“It gives people the opportunity to see that hard work pays off, no matter how you do it.” Dionne said. “Just knowing that there’s a program out there like this gives students like us motivation to finish what we started.”
