Dreeszen has written numerous books and articles, and teaches several courses and workshops on issues such as arts planning, management, and development of the arts and communities. For 12 years, he directed the Arts Extension Service at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and was its education coordinator for the six years prior to becoming director. In 1994, Dreeszen earned his doctorate in philosophy from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, in regional planning, and conducted the first national study of the impact of community cultural planning. He also earned his master’s in education in organizational development from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, School of Education in 1990. He earned his B.A. in English and educational psychology in 1970 from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.