2021 Rising Alumni: Holli Kelly

Please list any professional accomplishments you wish to mention.

I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT), nationally approved MFT supervisor, and am the Director of the Marietta Vet Center in Georgia that helps combat veterans, survivors of military sexual trauma and military bereavement cases. I was an adjunct faculty member at Northcentral University for three years in which I created courses for a developing trauma certification program, supervised MFT interns, taught multiple courses including those for a military specialization certification, and was a subject matter expert for dissertations, particularly those related to military or incarceration. I received a distinguished service award from the Department of Veterans Affairs for my dedicated service, a congregational award from Georgia State Senator Lucy McBath for my work with veterans, and a certificate of appreciation from Extreme Government Solutions for assisting in the co-facilitation of group retreats for veterans to promote healing and connection. I recently was the Executive Director for the Georgia Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (GAMFT) where I worked diligently within that state and was a representative with the national organization, AAMFT, regarding the promotion and expansion of the field and profession of MFT. I also continue to present statewide and nationally on issues impacting families such as incarceration, military sexual trauma and combat trauma as well as being an advocate in speaking out on the marginalization and oppression that some of these groups may experience.

What is your favorite memory from the University of Minnesota?

During my doctorate program I also took several courses in the Center for Spirituality and Healing. During my time there I met Dr. Mim Cameron who was a professor in that department and did extensive work in the Tibetan community. Through my coursework with her, a group of us were able to travel to Dharamsala India, which is the home of Dalai Lama. We were able to meet with the Dalai Lama at his home and spend time with him as well as study at Men-Tsee-Khang, which is a training institute that preserves the traditional arts of Tibetan medicine and astrology. It was a life changing experience in both meeting such an influential spiritual leader and also having the opportunity to study at a place he founded to learn about healing the mind and body through Tibetan medicine and yoga.

What professor(s) or course(s) were most influential during your time in CEHD?

Dr. Paul Rosenblatt taught qualitative research methods. I had primarily been exposed to quantitative research in the past, but this course spoke to my heart because it was about storytelling and the power of listening to and gathering people’s narratives about their life experiences. This was a perfect fit for my clinical background and made me more passionate about the research process because it felt more in alignment with how I viewed the world and the importance of ‘story’. All of my qualifying exams were qualitative and I was able to deepen my understanding and appreciation of the different types of methodology and implementation of qualitative research around the subject matter that I cared about. I believe it was through Dr. Rosenblatt’s intoxicating enthusiasm and unending curiosity about humanity that paved a path for my own exploration and excitement in capturing the essence of the human experience as well as utilizing qualitative research for social justice and social change.

What was the impact and benefit of your educational experience in CEHD?

In obtaining my doctorate in Family Social Science, I was provided with the knowledge and skills to constructively integrate trauma-focused clinical practice, policy, and research to most effectively assist those I serve today.