Coal Dust and College Degrees

By Kelsie Addair

Coal Dust and College Degrees

Growing up in a small Appalachian town, Kelsie Addair knew two things: hard work was a way of life, and education was her way out. With a coal miner father, a postal worker mother, and roots planted deep in McDowell County, West Virginia, she was surrounded by grit, resilience, and struggle-but not by college degrees.

This inspiring memoir traces Kelsie's journey as a first-generation college student who stumbled, fell, and got back up more than once. From failing out of nursing school to returning stronger, from working her way through the LPN program to earning her BSN and pursuing her master's, her story is one of perseverance, purpose, and unshakable hope.

Whether you're a first-generation student, a hopeful nursing student, or someone who's ever felt like the odds were stacked against you-Coal Dust and College Degrees will remind you that your beginnings don't define your destination.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0FLK7ZCWL
• ISBN13: 9798296880062
• Release Date: September 2025
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 56 Pages
• Weight: 0.19 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 6.0" x 9.0"