Dr. Erin Lee Kelly Brings Real-World Counseling Experience Into the Classroom 

At Goldey-Beacom College, students learn from faculty who bring more than academic knowledge to the classroom. They bring professional experience, real-world perspective, and a commitment to helping students connect what they learn with where they want to go. 

Dr. Erin Lee Kelly, Chair of the Social Sciences Department, is one of those faculty members. 

Dr. Kelly teaches undergraduate psychology courses as well as graduate courses in GBC’s Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology program. In addition to her work at the College, she is a licensed professional counselor with a private practice and group practice. She also has experience in forensic work, giving her a broad professional background that directly informs the way she teaches. 

For students, that means psychology and counseling concepts are not limited to textbooks or lectures. In Dr. Kelly’s classroom, theory is connected to practice. Students examine real-world examples, discuss current issues, explore case studies, and consider how the material applies to actual people, workplaces, and communities. 

That approach is central to her teaching philosophy. 

Dr. Kelly describes her classes as discussion-based, experiential, and collaborative. Rather than positioning herself as the only expert in the room, she encourages students to bring their own perspectives and lived experiences into the conversation. She believes that students learn best when they feel seen, supported, and invited to ask questions. 

Her work as a counselor also shapes the way she connects with students. In counseling, she explains, the client is the expert on their own life. She brings a similar mindset to teaching. Students come to class with their own goals, strengths, questions, and experiences, and those perspectives are part of the learning process. That sense of connection is one of the things Dr. Kelly values most about GBC. 

When she first started at the College, she remembers arriving early in the morning for an 8 a.m. class and being greeted warmly by members of the maintenance and cleaning staff. Those small moments made an impression. To her, they reflected the larger culture of GBC: welcoming, supportive, and connected at every level. It is the same kind of environment she works to create for her students. 

Dr. Kelly, who received GBC’s Excellence in Teaching Award, believes faculty-student relationships play an important role in student success. She wants students to know that their professors are invested in them—not only as students in a course, but as people preparing for their futures. 

In her classes, career preparation is woven into the learning experience. Dr. Kelly talks with students about the types of roles available in psychology, counseling, social services, nonprofit work, organizational settings, forensic environments, and other related fields. She helps them understand how their interests and strengths can shape their career paths. She also encourages students to remain open to change. A student may begin college with one career goal in mind and discover a new direction through coursework, internships, or professional exposure. For Dr. Kelly, that exploration is not a setback. It is part of building a meaningful career. 

For students interested in becoming professional counselors, GBC’s Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology provides a graduate pathway focused on preparing students to serve others through ethical, culturally aware, and professionally grounded practice. The program builds on the kind of student-centered, career-focused learning that Dr. Kelly brings into the classroom.Across her undergraduate and graduate courses, Dr. Kelly’s goal is not only to help students understand psychology and counseling. It is to help them build confidence in their ability to use that knowledge. 

By learning from faculty who are active in the field, students can better understand what professional practice looks like. They can ask questions, connect concepts to career goals, and begin to see themselves in future roles. 

For Dr. Kelly, that is one of the most important parts of teaching at GBC. Her message to students is simple: stay curious, stay involved, and communicate with your faculty. “We do not want to see you fail,” she said. “We want to see you succeed, and we will go to great lengths to make sure that you do.” 

At GBC, that kind of support is part of the student experience. Through faculty mentorship, practical learning, and programs designed with career preparation in mind, students are encouraged to build the knowledge, confidence, and experience they need to take their next step.

Watch the episode here!