Veteran overcomes adversity and addiction to help others

From heartbreak and hardship to academic success and advocacy

It is not uncommon for people to face obstacles along their life journey. However, there is nothing common about Kevin Rumley’s challenges. The extraordinary events of his life read like a novel, but it has led Kevin on a path to success that he continues to follow, thanks in part to the training he received in the online Doctor of Social Work program through the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Kevin’s mother died suddenly when he was 15. Just a few years later, while serving in Iraq, he faced another trauma when an improvised explosive device detonated, killing his best friend and leaving him severely injured. The aftermath required him to undergo 32 surgeries over 18 months. He turned to drugs and alcohol to cope with the pain. But Kevin found a way to rise above and is now in long-term recovery.

Kevin’s path to rehabilitation was fueled by a strong desire to make a positive difference in people’s lives. He earned a bachelor’s degree in public health, became a certified substance abuse counselor, and began a job as a veteran outreach director. He then got a master’s degree in social work, focusing on trauma resiliency and substance use recovery. While working toward his master’s, he volunteered as a veteran mentor-counselor with the Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) in Buncombe County, North Carolina. The program aims to support veterans who have committed felony offenses, often due to addiction, by addressing core issues of mental health, trauma, and substance abuse.

I had peers I looked up to clinically who went through the program. The level they operated at as clinicians and their ability to integrate/discern emerging research into their practice inspired me to apply to UTK.

– Kevin Rumley, 2024 graduate, Doctor of Social Work

Soon after, Kevin decided to pursue a doctorate. The University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s online program, Vols Online, caught his attention with the College of Social Work’s emphasis on trauma recovery and resilience models, especially for justice-involved populations.

The Vols Online structure helped fit Kevin’s needs. The program’s flexibility allowed him to work with the VTC during the day, attend classes in the evening, and collaborate with peers on weekends. Before he began the program, he met with UT’s Student Disability Services to map out potential avenues of support should he have a PTSD episode, coming up with a range of accommodations and reaching out to professors as part of a preventive game plan. When classes started, he was concerned because he was one of the youngest in the program and had imposter syndrome – the inability to believe that his success was deserved or legitimately achieved due to his efforts or skills. However, he soon felt he belonged at UTK.

You are paired with faculty who share similar passions and expertise in your area of interest. The peers became family. I didn’t realize I could feel so connected through online learning, but the cohort (group) carried me through. Their support, guidance, and wisdom were the reason I kept going.

Kevin Rumley, 2024 graduate, Doctor of Social Work

Kevin graduated with his Doctor of Social Work in May 2024 and serves as the director of the VTC. Despite the challenges he faced, including difficulty connecting with others after the loss of his friends in combat and his mother’s death, Kevin has gained profound insights into the human capacity for change. He believes in the importance of self-love, showing up, and practicing compassion and grace. When talking about his experience as an online learner, Kevin says, “Don’t let fear be the reason you don’t apply!  My fears told me, ‘You can’t do it…you will fail.’ What I learned is that I am capable of anything with the right support, accountability, and guidance. UTK showed me anything is possible. You just need to keep showing up!”