Ra’Shada Bruce had an associate’s degree from Owens Community College in business administration, along with certificates in payroll accounting and QuickBooks. She also had a full-time job at the Toledo Assembly Complex, which manufactures Jeeps.
But she wanted more. Specifically, she wanted to continue her education and earn a bachelor’s degree. She just didn’t know what kind of degree and where she would pursue it.
After receiving her associate’s degree at Owens Community College, Ra’Shada Bruce transferred to UToledo to pursue a bachelor’s degree in accounting. Bruce will graduate in May.
Then a friend of Bruce, who had graduated with a finance degree, convinced her that she should go into accounting because of the versatility that an accounting degree would provide.
And from there, everything added up to her becoming a Rocket.
“Once I landed on accounting, it led me to UToledo because of its Accounting program reputation,” Bruce said.
And she has no regrets.
“I have — since I was at Owens as well — really actively participated in my education,” Bruce said. “What I mean is, this University has made it accessible for me to reach out to my advisors, professors and dean of my college to ask for help, advice on my future and even scholarships to help me along the way.
“Without the support of the staff here I would not be as academically successful.”
Among those who have been instrumental in her success as a Rocket, she said, is Brittany Kim, academic advisor and transfer specialist in the John B. and Lillian E. Neff College of Business and Innovation.
“Brittany Kim is my business college advisor, and literally has helped me figure out more than just my class schedules but also scholarships and advice on burn-out,” Bruce said.
Kim speaks just as highly of Bruce.
“From the first time I met Ra’Shada, it was obvious what an incredibly driven student she is,” Kim said. “As a transfer student and a working adult, her path to academic success has looked slightly different than others. But she has continually rolled with the punches, pivoted when necessary and came out on top.
“It has been such a joy to advise her throughout her time here, and I can’t wait to see where she ends up after graduating in the spring.”
And now she enjoys sharing her success as a student in the John B. and Lillian E. Neff College of Business and Innovation with other potential business students and as the acting president of the UToledo chapter of Tau Sigma, the national honor society for transfer students.
How she got to The University of Toledo, while not unique, certainly wasn’t the traditional route, she said.
“I felt untraditional in every sense of the word, especially because when I was at Owens, I was working full time at the Toledo Assembly Complex,” Bruce said. “I want people to know the straight route isn’t always your story … sometimes yours is a curve.
And honestly all my professors have helped me to use my experience as an advantage, rather than the downfall I thought it was at first.”
And her focus on accounting is already paying off – literally.
“I’ve been able to apply some of the content and skills learned in my business and accounting courses to my side catering business,” she said. “I’ve learned to budget, understand profit margins and how I should price things to earn profit.
“If you are considering UToledo, come to John B. and Lillian E. Neff College of Business and Innovation,” Bruce added. “The College of Business provides so many opportunities to network and is always doing programs that expose students to people who could potentially be their next managers or bosses.”
