Sep 03, 2013
LaShanda Leach, graduate of the Louisville Campus serves as a role model to families in the community that she serves as the owner of Precious Moments Preschool Academy. After bringing her preschool to full capacity in just one year, and earning her Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree through the American National University Online program, she has demonstrated that high academic achievement and career success are within reach through hard work and dedication.
LaShanda was working in the office of a child care center when she first began her educational journey at American National University. “I wanted to enhance my skills and my administrative capability a little bit more, so I decided to go to school,” she recalled. She earned her associate’s degree, and then decided to continue on in the business administration-management bachelor’s program. “I went back solely because I wanted to be where I am right now, which is owning my own business,” she said.
-Leach.jpg)
When the MBA program became available through ANU Online, LaShanda and two of her closest friends from the Louisville Campus decided to take advantage of the opportunity, and they enrolled in the program together.
At the Louisville Campus and in the ANU Online program, LaShanda and her classmates found staff and instructors who were caring and attentive. “As a single Mom, it was challenging, but…the teachers were phenomenal,” she said of the online instructors. “They were hands on with any questions and any type of concerns.” She enjoyed interacting with students from other states as she worked on group projects and participated in discussion boards. “We all worked together. It was almost like you were in the same classroom. It was a great experience.”
As she progressed through the online courses, LaShanda’s confidence soared, and with the encouragement of her friends, she decided to open her own preschool. The knowledge that she gained in her management classes helps to guide her as she makes important decisions about her business. “I love and I give a lot, but the discipline of being a business owner is what I took away from going to college. It taught me the fundamentals I needed to operate and to deal with decision-making and finances,” said LaShanda. “You have to make some business decisions that go against [you] emotionally. It has strengthened me in my ability of executing a wonderful program that has a strong leader.”
LaShanda plans to earn her doctorate in business and she hopes that it will soon be available through American National University. She also hopes to eventually teach at the college level to help encourage and mentor other single moms like her. “I want to go and to tell everyone else who is a single mother that they can do it, that they can complete it, that they can win the fight,” she said confidently with a smile.
(A)-LaShanda Leach earned her bachelor's degree at the Louisville Campus and her MBA in the American National University Online program.
(B)-Pictured (l) to (r): Matt Poole, director of the American National University Online program, with LaShanda Leach, Valerie Persinger and DeTroyia McGruder, graduates of the ANU Online MBA program, who participated in a hooding ceremony during the Louisville Campus graduation.
tags:
KY-Louisville
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ONLINE: Masters of Business Administration (MBA)
Accounting: Business Administration Accounting - Associate's Degree (BAA)
Accounting: Business Administration Accounting - Bachelor's Degree (BBACC)
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