Anything Is Possible

RBC puts a student’s teaching dream within reach by enabling her to overcome the doubts of others. The chance to go to college has made all the difference in Miah Wallace’s life.

By Amy Lacey

During the three years Miah Wallace spent in the foster care system during her childhood, she never imagined that one day she would be an honors student at Richard Bland College of William & Mary. 

“I was always labeled the slow kid,” Wallace remembered. “I was labeled as so many things. ADHD told me college would be too much for me. I didn’t think I would ever be able to succeed. But here I am, 3.4 grade point average.”

Wallace found RBC through her college advisor at Dinwiddie High School, where she graduated in 2020. At the time, Wallace had a low grade point average (GPA), and thoughts of a four-year program were intimidating. 

“I fell in love with RBC the first time I toured it,” Wallace said. “I actually got denied the first time I applied, so that let me down a little bit. But a couple months later, I got admitted because I brought up my GPA. The second I started my classes at Richard Bland, it became the greatest experience of my life.”

At RBC, Wallace found the sense of community she desired along with the one-on-one attention from professors she needed to ease her jitters about college.

“The professors treat us like family,” Wallace described.  “[Dr. Katie Bjorkman, assistant professor of mathematics] especially helped me grow and think differently about college. I communicated with her throughout COVID over Zoom, and she understood college was hard for so many students. The work was complex, but she pushed me and encouraged me not to give up. Now I’m stronger than ever.”

Wallace did so well her first semester that she met the criteria for the RBC Honors Program, which combines academic, leadership and service opportunities both on campus and in the community. In addition to maintaining a minimum GPA of 3.25, members complete volunteer projects, showcase talent at the Research Expo and enroll in honors courses. 

“RBC is perfect for me. I am learning advanced classes at a condensed level,” Wallace explained. “Right now I am taking a philosophy class, which I was anxious about at first, but now I’m seeing how it is helping me academically and, so I can focus better to achieve the goals I have.”

Wallace will graduate from RBC in 2022 with her associate’s degree. She plans to transfer to the College of William & Mary School of Education in hopes of becoming a teacher.

“I love kids, and I want to help others with my background in and out of foster care,” Wallace said. “I want to inspire other kids with a story like mine, those with anxiety who don’t think they can academically make it in college.”

Wallace knows her dream is now within reach thanks to the RBC support system.  

“I want to teach kids that even through the hardest times, working hard and being dedicated will make everything work out,” Wallace said. “Anything is possible.”