Wilkes-Barre senior to receive Outstanding Adult Learner award

DALLAS, Pa. — Dylan Fredricey, a senior majoring in rehabilitation and human services, has been chosen as the recipient of the Outstanding Adult Learner of the Year award for Penn State Wilkes-Barre. The Outstanding Adult Learner of the Year award is sponsored by the Luzerne County Council on Adult Higher Education (LCCAHE). LCCAHE includes Misericordia University, King’s College, Wilkes University, Luzerne County Community College, and Penn State Wilkes-Barre. A recipient was chosen from each school.

Fredricey was born in San Diego, California, and grew up in San Diego and Denver, Colorado. He has overcome numerous challenges throughout his life, including homelessness, substance abuse, and dropping out of high school.

He attended Grossmont and Cuyamaca Community College District in California, where he earned associate degrees with honors in university studies – behavioral sciences and social work.  While at Penn State Wilkes-Barre, he has worked with Assistant Professor of Rehabilitation and Human Services Garrett Huck on a literature review regarding substance abuse within the LGBTQ+ community. They planned on presenting at an upcoming rehabilitation conference in Harrisburg, but the conference was canceled due to the COVID-19 health crisis. They will be submitting their work to the Institutional Review Board at Penn State to further study substance abuse disorders and recovery within the LBGTQ+ community. After graduation this summer, Fredricey plans to pursue a master’s degree in social work. He also hopes to pursue a doctorate in social welfare in the future.

While at Penn State Wilkes-Barre, Fredricey has been involved with the Gender and Sexuality Alliance Club and has worked in several positions in the addictions field. Prior to moving to Pennsylvania, he volunteered at Being Alive San Diego as a peer advocate, and he was appointed by the San Diego County Board of Directors to serve on the San Diego County HIV Planning Group, where he assisted in planning HIV/AIDS services offered in the county. Fredricey also was responsible for allocating funding for services under the federal Ryan White Extension Act.

Most recently, Fredricey worked in the intake department at a local rehabilitation facility. In May, he will return to this facility to start an internship, working with the director of the family program and family therapy. As a recovering addict, Fredricey understands the need for programs that provide training to those who are interested in assisting addicts through the recovery process, such as Penn State Wilkes-Barre Continuing Education’s certified recovery specialist (CRS) and certified family recovery specialist (CFRS) programs.

The certified recovery specialist is a relatively new position in the recovery field, and part of the Pennsylvania Certification Board’s approved training. Agencies and hospital emergency departments who employ counselors are regularly adding the CRS position to their employment rosters due to the overwhelming need for services caused by the opioid crisis. This peer support position has been proven to be critical in providing a mentor to a patient while at a facility, and throughout recovery.

“It is a pleasure to present this award to a Penn State Wilkes-Barre student who works so closely with members of our community who suffer from addiction, and who provides services similar to those provided by students who become certified through our CRS and CFRS programs,” said Jane Ashton, director of continuing education at Penn State Wilkes-Barre.

Due to current public health concerns and cancellation of the annual dinner, Fredricey will receive the award via a special Zoom presentation with Penn State Wilkes-Barre faculty and staff on April 14.