Student Profile
Meet Teunshea Morris
Teunshea Morris, an Accounting student at Reynolds Community College is on a journey defined by resilience, determination, and faith. Recently selected for the 2023/2024 VBA Banking Fellowship Program, she also secured a position at Atlantic Union Bank—a significant milestone in her pursuit of success.
For Teunshea, education is more than personal growth; it’s about securing a brighter future for her family. As a mother of three and grandmother to four (soon to be five!), she is determined to break the cycle of poverty. Reflecting on her childhood, she recalls, “I didn’t want my family to live paycheck to paycheck like my parents and grandparents. I wanted to show my children they could achieve more—that mediocrity didn’t have to be their reality.”
Her journey hasn’t been easy. Teunshea faced poverty, cancer, homelessness, depression, an incurable lung disease, and even COVID. But through it all, she leaned on her faith, which continues to fuel her desire for excellence and success.
Teunshea’s turning point came when she heard a quote about “the definition of insanity” being “doing the same thing expecting different results.” That inspired her to make a change. Rather than settle for dead-end jobs, she enrolled in online courses at Reynolds, discovering a passion for Accounting and Small Business Management.
One of her favorite classes was QuickBooks, which provided her with the practical skills necessary to manage business finances. “The class was straightforward and easy to follow,” she says, a key step in her larger goal of entrepreneurship.
Mr. Brad Hypes, her favorite instructor, leaves a lasting impact on Teunshea’s educational journey. “He was incredibly understanding when ‘life happened,’ and I couldn’t attend class,” she recalls. The flexibility of online classes was crucial, allowing her to balance her roles as a full-time employee, a mother, and a student.
For Teunshea, an Accounting degree is not just about finding a stable career; it’s about building generational wealth. She aspires to leave a legacy for her family not only by securing a career in the banking industry, but by starting her own business, T3 Transportation, named after her three children. Networking with the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) opened her eyes to the wide range of accounting opportunities available to her, from auditing and financial analysis to corporate management.
“Accountants are always in demand,” she says, recognizing the career’s job stability and growth potential. As she gains a deeper understanding of financial statements, budgeting, and cost control, she feels well-prepared for leadership roles in the future.
One of Teunshea’s proudest moments at Reynolds was when she was asked to be the guest speaker at the Reynolds Scholarship Banquet. Public speaking has always been a fear of hers, but she took the advice she’d received during her VBA Fellowship orientation: “Say yes when opportunities present themselves.” Sharing her story with classmates and staff was a transformative experience. “Being able to encourage others who may feel unsure about their future was powerful,” she says.
Teunshea received her Associates in Small Business Management in 2023 and
is now focused on accounting, applying it to her new role as a Teller at Atlantic Union Bank. She is on track to receive her Accounting Associates degree in May 2025. After that she plans on transferring to Virginia State University to work toward a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting.
Her advice to fellow students is simple but profound: “Believe in yourself. The hard work you’re putting in now will open doors for you and your family. Celebrate every achievement, no matter how small, and don’t hesitate to ask for help when you need it.”
Teunshea also emphasizes the importance of balance in life. Between school, work, and family, she stresses the need for self-care and mental balance. “Even small moments of rest and relaxation can make a big difference,” she advises.
Her example is already inspiring the next generation. Her youngest daughter is on track to graduate with honors and aspires to study finance in college and become a Financial Advisor.
Teunshea’s journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, faith, and education. Through her hard work, she is not only changing her own life but paving the way for future generations.
For more about the Reynolds Accounting program, visit our website.
For Teunshea, education is more than personal growth; it’s about securing a brighter future for her family. As a mother of three and grandmother to four (soon to be five!), she is determined to break the cycle of poverty. Reflecting on her childhood, she recalls, “I didn’t want my family to live paycheck to paycheck like my parents and grandparents. I wanted to show my children they could achieve more—that mediocrity didn’t have to be their reality.”Her journey hasn’t been easy. Teunshea faced poverty, cancer, homelessness, depression, an incurable lung disease, and even COVID. But through it all, she leaned on her faith, which continues to fuel her desire for excellence and success.
Teunshea’s turning point came when she heard a quote about “the definition of insanity” being “doing the same thing expecting different results.” That inspired her to make a change. Rather than settle for dead-end jobs, she enrolled in online courses at Reynolds, discovering a passion for Accounting and Small Business Management.
One of her favorite classes was QuickBooks, which provided her with the practical skills necessary to manage business finances. “The class was straightforward and easy to follow,” she says, a key step in her larger goal of entrepreneurship.
Mr. Brad Hypes, her favorite instructor, leaves a lasting impact on Teunshea’s educational journey. “He was incredibly understanding when ‘life happened,’ and I couldn’t attend class,” she recalls. The flexibility of online classes was crucial, allowing her to balance her roles as a full-time employee, a mother, and a student.
For Teunshea, an Accounting degree is not just about finding a stable career; it’s about building generational wealth. She aspires to leave a legacy for her family not only by securing a career in the banking industry, but by starting her own business, T3 Transportation, named after her three children. Networking with the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) opened her eyes to the wide range of accounting opportunities available to her, from auditing and financial analysis to corporate management.“Accountants are always in demand,” she says, recognizing the career’s job stability and growth potential. As she gains a deeper understanding of financial statements, budgeting, and cost control, she feels well-prepared for leadership roles in the future.
One of Teunshea’s proudest moments at Reynolds was when she was asked to be the guest speaker at the Reynolds Scholarship Banquet. Public speaking has always been a fear of hers, but she took the advice she’d received during her VBA Fellowship orientation: “Say yes when opportunities present themselves.” Sharing her story with classmates and staff was a transformative experience. “Being able to encourage others who may feel unsure about their future was powerful,” she says.
Teunshea received her Associates in Small Business Management in 2023 and
is now focused on accounting, applying it to her new role as a Teller at Atlantic Union Bank. She is on track to receive her Accounting Associates degree in May 2025. After that she plans on transferring to Virginia State University to work toward a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting.
Her advice to fellow students is simple but profound: “Believe in yourself. The hard work you’re putting in now will open doors for you and your family. Celebrate every achievement, no matter how small, and don’t hesitate to ask for help when you need it.”
Teunshea also emphasizes the importance of balance in life. Between school, work, and family, she stresses the need for self-care and mental balance. “Even small moments of rest and relaxation can make a big difference,” she advises.
Her example is already inspiring the next generation. Her youngest daughter is on track to graduate with honors and aspires to study finance in college and become a Financial Advisor.
Teunshea’s journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, faith, and education. Through her hard work, she is not only changing her own life but paving the way for future generations.
For more about the Reynolds Accounting program, visit our website.