The courage to begin again

For Lareesa Fonville Willis, earning a college degree is more than an academic milestone — it is proof that new beginnings are always possible.

A Business Administration graduate at Reynolds Community College, Lareesa returned to higher education after more than three decades away from the classroom. Her path has been shaped not by a traditional timeline, but by determination and a belief that growth can happen at any stage of life.

“I represent the courage to begin again,” she says. “Education is not confined to age, timing, or circumstance.”

Born and raised in Richmond, Lareesa first enrolled in college shortly after high school but stepped away when circumstances in her life intervened. Years later, financial barriers made returning feel out of reach. That changed when she discovered Reynolds and her financial aid eligibility was restored, along with a sense of possibility.

“When I came back, I wasn’t sure I would belong,” she says. “Instead, I found people who made me feel capable from the very beginning.”

Returning with purpose

Returning to school meant balancing full-time work as a team lead at Wells Fargo, family responsibilities, and health challenges. Like many nontraditional students, she faced moments of self-doubt, especially walking onto campus after 30 years.

That uncertainty began to shift through faculty support and hands-on learning. One turning point came in pre-calculus, a subject she initially feared. With guidance from instructor Pamela Lamb, she rebuilt her confidence and discovered what she was capable of achieving.

“It was the moment I realized I could do things I once believed were impossible,” she says.

Finding strength through community

Outside the classroom, Lareesa immersed herself in campus life, serving as a student ambassador, participating in Student Government, and joining organizations including Phi Theta Kappa and the National Society of Leadership and Success. Even during periods when health challenges required additional support, she found understanding and encouragement from faculty and staff.

“They cared about my well-being as much as my academic success,” she says.

Lareesa plans to transfer to Virginia State University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in business with a focus on accounting, while growing her wellness business.

“I made it,” she says. “And if I can do this, there’s no limit to what comes next.”