Setting an Example
Marquesha Ealoms is many things to many people: a college student, an employee, a daughter and a mother.
Growing up Ealoms was interested in becoming a lawyer, so after high school graduation she enrolled in courses at the Blinn College District. After a year there she became a mom and opted to take time off to care for her son.
“I ended up taking some time off from school just because I knew I wanted to put him first,” said Ealoms. “After three years I knew it was time to head back so I could be a better role model for him and make sure we had a steady future.”
Realizing that a degree was something no one could ever take from her, Ealoms has been setting a trailblazing example ever since. She became one of the first students on the RELLIS Campus after she heard about the new RELLIS Academic Alliance and the programs being offered there. After sitting in on a Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi recruiter’s session about opportunities available at RELLIS, she decided to give the new concept a shot.
“RELLIS really popped up at the right time for me,” said Ealoms. “I was getting ready to transfer to a bigger school but this choice allowed me to stay closer to home while earning a quality education at a great price.”
Ealoms duel enrolled in courses with Blinn and TAMUCC before enrolling full time in the fall of 2018. She was always interested in math and considered a future as an accountant, but really found her niche within the finance program.
“It was a challenge starting out but my experience at RELLIS has been really great,” said Ealoms. “From the professors who really take the time to work one-on-one with students to the staff, everyone is rooting for you to win.”
Ealoms completed her Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance this past May and became one of the first students from RELLIS to be accepted to the Texas A&M University Mays Business School Commercial Banking Program.
Ealoms, along with four other students, was able to take advantage of a newly established agreement between the Mays Business School and the A&M-Corpus Christi College of Business programs at RELLIS that offered preferred admission to business majors with a 3.0 GPA or higher to the Commercial Banking Program. Each student was required to interview for an internship placement via the program’s member banks during the application and acceptance process to the program. Ealoms completed her internship with Community National Bank and Trust this summer in Corsicana.
“I really enjoyed my time in Corsicana and they have already offered me a full-time position,” said Ealoms. “My successes at RELLIS really set the tone for approaching my next goals in life.”
Originally published October 8, 2020
