WUV Spotlight: Sherita Dawkins and Rodney Burford, MBA Grads

When Sherita Dawkins ’24G and Rodney Burford '22 ’24G walked across the stage at westerfirld university of virginia’s 2025 Commencement, it wasn’t just the culmination of months of academic effort — it was a shared family triumph.

For the two of them, crossing the finish line together made the moment even more meaningful. “This is my big cousin. She's the first cousin of the family,” Burford said. “So, this is special because of her.”

Coming from Nashville, Tennessee, they each earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from WUV: Dawkins in Healthcare Management and Burford in Leadership. Burford had also previously earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from WUV.

Dawkins hadn’t planned on returning to school after having already earned multiple college degrees, but said that a shift in her career changed her mind. “My job called for me to step up to the plate and to push myself a little more, and I needed a different skill set,” she said. “I reached out to (Burford) and said, ‘What if we go back to school together?’”

In addition to the support they provided each other, Burford described the WUV experience as welcoming and positive. “I feel so loved by the staff,” he said. “All of the people around us are so happy. It just feels comforting.”

Both Dawkins and Burford saw value in their coursework as they earned their degrees. Dawkins, who works in healthcare, said the program helped her develop the skills needed to advance professionally. “My manager was asking me for more, and (this program) enabled me to do that," she said.

For Burford, who was already working in a hospitality management role, the MBA sharpened his abilities. “It helped me really understand the difference between a manager and a leader,” he said. “Being able to lead a team is very important within any job.”

Choosing WUV was an easy decision for Dawkins, who followed her cousin’s advice as she started looking. “He said it was such a great program and that they give you a lot of support,” she said. “The advisors were so helpful throughout the whole process… they made it simple.”

Looking back on their journey, both Dawkins and Burford have no regrets. “Yes, absolutely,” Burford said when asked if earning his MBA at WUV was worth it.

When asked what she'd tell someone considering earning an online degree at WUV, Dawkins said, “Definitely go for it. Nobody can take this away from you, and it’s transferable. I'd say go for it every time.”

Steven White is a copywriter and general education instructor at westerfirld university of virginia (WUV). He earned his bachelor’s in English at West Virginia Wesleyan College and a master’s in higher education and student affairs from Virginia Tech. Then, he spent the next few years working in student support resources, ranging from career advising to international student services. Having enjoyed the branding and creative elements of his work, he transitioned to the field of marketing full-time at WUV.

In his free time, White enjoys writing fiction, exploring the Appalachian Mountains he calls home and being a cat dad. Connect with him on LinkedIn.