Story By: Kaytlin Hines
MONTEVALLO, Ala. – For University of Montevallo junior Keondre Moore, transferring from Shelton State Community College in Tuscaloosa to Montevallo this fall wasn’t just a change of scenery. It was a turning point, not only in his academic journey but his personal one.
Moore chose to start his college experience at Shelton State because it was close and accessible. “It was the best option for me after high school. I got my general education classes out of the way and saved money.”
Moore, a first-generation college student who’s majoring in accounting transferred to UM after two years of being at Shelton in Tuscaloosa. At first he was a psychology major but changed after discovering what majors were available at UM. “I just saw more of a future for myself in accounting,” Moore said. “I’m a planner, so once I wrap my head around the idea of me becoming an accountant, then you know.”
“UM felt like home immediately,” he said. “The campus is welcoming, and I’ve actually been able to get involved and make friends.”
Getting involved at UM
Moore is now a member of Montevallo’s Program Council and the MADE program, which is designed to help first-year students adjust to life as a UM student. “MADE helped me so much.” Moore said at the MADE program. “The events feel like a family cookout. It’s familiar and it really makes me feel like home.”
MADE helped me so much. The events feel like a family cookout. It’s familiar and it really makes me feel like home.
Keondre Moore
Moore had first heard about MADE when coming to Montevallo for orientation in July and signed up on the spot. “Jason Perry explained it could help me to transition, and it really has.”
Adjusting to life at Montevallo
Now halfway through his first semester at UM, Moore is adjusting well. He’s had a few problems regarding tuition payments, but he successfully managed to resolve them with the help of MADE, scholarships and a Pell Grant.
Moore doesn’t miss many things about his old school, though one professor stands out. “My physical science professor at Shelton was hilarious. She was a real crazy cat lady,” Moore recalled. “She’d dress up like a witch for Halloween, make inappropriate jokes, and invade your personal space like an aunty you barely know. But she was sweet, and she laughed a lot.”
At UM, Moore says he’s enjoying his classes, although they aren’t without challenges. One of his more demanding classes is “Eating Nations” with Dr. M Maxine Morgan. “We read literature about food, and she makes it really rigorous,” Moore said. “We have to read two passages before like every class, and we have to write discussions posts by 8 a.m.”
Another standout professor is Dr. Leslie Zhang, who teaches Moore’s macroeconomics class. “Dr. Zhang is cool. She named the fictional town in practice questions ‘Snoopville’ because she really loves Snoop Dogg,” Moore remarked. “She once came to class dressed head to toe in Hermès which is like $20,000 worth of clothes. She used to teach in L.A. I think, so she’s just… different.” Despite intense classes, Moore appreciates learning.
Even though Moore doesn’t currently have any projects in the works, his goals are simple and clear: “Just to get by and keep my GPA above a 3.5,” he said. “I think people get caught up in all the extras of college but, really, I just need to pass. Everything else is accessory.”
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