JTC 24: Embracing the Unknown

While Dreanna Leake might be the first in her family to graduate from college, she didn't let fear of the unknown prevent her from gaining the most from her college experience. In fact, her strong academic performance landed her on the Chancellor's Honor Roll multiple times at the University of Mississippi.

And now, the Horn Lake resident has graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor's degree in psychology and a minor in education.

Her journey, however, was not without its challenges. Besides mental health issues, she had other obstacles during her pursuit of higher education.

"I had to overcome that the term 'first generation' does not define the success and outcome I can produce," Leake said. "I also had to financially provide for myself while balancing several organizations and the course load."

Leake also firmly believes that overcoming challenges contributed to her successes.

"Embracing discomfort transformed my undergraduate journey into a mastery of resilience," she said.

Earning a psychology degree appealed to Leake because she wanted to engage with others to develop a deeper understanding of their emotional well-being and behavioral patterns. She found inspiration from faculty members including Grace Rivera, assistant professor of psychology, who taught Leake the importance of branching out and embracing cross-cultural research.

In Rivera's lab, Leake had opportunities to pursue research, and she showcased her work on "Awe's Relation to Perceptions of Existential Matters" at the university's eighth annual Conference on Psychology Science.

She also worked as a research assistant for the Department of Psychology and joined the UM Persistence and Completion Together, or IMPACT, cohort on its study abroad trip to Costa Rica. There, she studied health psychology and tropical marine biology in summer 2023.

"I was given the opportunity to study abroad in San Jose for one month," Leake said. "In my role as an IMPACT scholar at the University of Mississippi, this program has constantly provided me with opportunities to grow and succeed.

"I was able to use my Spanish speaking skills and learn about the culture of Costa Rica while taking my courses."

Beyond her academic focus, she served as a resident assistant in Pittman Hall.

Leake's passion to get involved stems from her desire to promote inclusivity and a sense of welcome. She was a member of the Black Student Union, Ole-Vasa, Chi-Alpha, MPower, First Generation Network, Psychology Club, Sigma Gamma Ro sorority and Alpha Lambda Delta freshman honor society.

I had to overcome that the term 'first generation' does not define the success and outcome I can produce."

The ESTEEM Club, an organization that aims to boost the confidence of minority women at Ole Miss, honored her with its Phenomenal Woman Award in 2022. Most recently, she was among 201 students named to Who's Who Among Students at the University of Mississippi.

Haley McGlone, associate director of student leadership and engagement, worked with Leake when she served as an MPower peer leader beginning in her sophomore senior year. Leake credits McGlone with helping build her confidence and fostering her ability to help other students through their freshman years.

"When I think of Dre, I think of sunflowers," McGlone said. "She could often be found wearing a fun and bright sunflower pattern on her backpack or phone case, and I think it's so fitting and reflective of her personality.

"She radiates warmth and brightens the world for those around her, which captures the impact she made on first-year students through MPower and beyond. She stands tall in the face of any challenge and rises to meet them."

Leake plans to begin the master's program in counselor education with an emphasis in clinical health this fall at the university, with a goal of pursuing a career in counseling. She has found that being a member of the campus community means embracing differences while understanding and finding your identity through the numerous opportunities Ole Miss offers.

"Being a member has taught me that there is always a student, adviser or faculty member who is always here to help guide me every single step of the way, and I am grateful to have a community I can call home," she said.

"Having the opportunity to be at this university and pursue graduate studies means I can show other minority students that it is possible to obtain your education and balance your life." 

See more photos from Dreanna Leake's Journey to Commencement