Stepping through the Business Program

La Shena Southerland is stepping her way through the business program as well as through life. She's studying accounting, leading her sorority, and learning about her family...stepping all the while. What about her IPS has her staying in place despite her quick moving dance? La Shena's thoughts are below:

About Me

I was born in Raleigh, North Carolina but I currently live in Chesapeake, VA. I have a wonderful family and great friends who keep life fun and full of surprises. Although raised in a single parent home, I have excelled at life and with the help of my mother and family, learned that hard work really does pay off.

At William and Mary, I am a rising senior majoring in Accounting with a concentration in Finance. I also am the corresponding secretary of the Mu Upsilon Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta and the Vice President of Ebony Expressions Gospel Choir for the year of 2009-2010.

Highlights

My biggest highlight from the business school experience would have to be Simulation Week. It is a week-long business simulation that all students participate in during the end of our foundation semester. It was one of my toughest weeks at William and Mary but it really gave me a taste of all that goes into running a business. I feel that I am more prepared to enter the business world from just that one week.

Defining Moment

My defining moment has to be when I took the Principles of Accounting course with Prof. Howard Busbee. At that point, I realized that business was the way to go. I really enjoyed his class and began to see a future in accounting.

Summer plans

I have spent most of this summer preparing for the GMAT exam, preparing choreography for my sorority's step competition for the fall, and taking huge steps in my own life like meeting my father and sisters. I feel as though this was one of the most important summers of my life for I learned a lot about myself and all that I am capable of. And the best part is that summer isn't over!

After graduation I would like to go to William and Mary's business graduate school to receive my master in accounting with their MAcc program. I must say that I have enjoyed William and Mary so much that I could not imagine going anywhere else. After receiving my masters the next step in my journey is the CPA exam. Wish me luck!