RCC Alum Opens Tax Firm
Catherine Ronquest chose to begin her educational journey at Rappahannock Community College (RCC) for its affordability and flexibility. "The cost was the biggest reason I chose RCC," she explains. "I was able to stay home and commute to college, avoiding room and board expenses, which made the tuition much more affordable compared to the universities I was considering." Not only did this decision benefit her financially, but it also allowed her to stay close to family. "My family was thrilled to have me home more than just during holidays and laundry trips."
While adjusting to college life, she faced the challenges of balancing coursework with a busy family life. "When I first enrolled, I was overwhelmed with the amount of work ahead of me. I feared whether I could keep up," she shares. Despite these initial concerns, she remained excited about her future and the opportunity to learn. Her perseverance paid off, as she navigated obstacles like financial constraints by securing scholarships and renting textbooks. "I was always able to make my money work for me, even when finances were tight," she says.
Her educational path took longer than anticipated—eight years to be exact—but she never lost sight of her goal. "There were semesters when I was a full-time student, and others when I only took two classes. Life was busy, and I had to take breaks, but I always knew I would finish."
A pivotal moment in her time at RCC was her English dual-enrollment course with Dr. Ronald Flowe. "He helped me find a love and appreciation for language arts," she recalls. "He made class fun, and I was always excited to be there. Eighteen years later, I still remember his encouragement and how he believed in my potential."
RCC also played a key role in shaping her long-term career goals. As a tax advisor for the past 15 years, she credits her degree in business management for providing a solid foundation in accounting, payroll, and economics. "Those courses helped me understand things within my field better than if I had not taken them," she says. The flexibility of online courses allowed her to work during the day and study at night, while a course in Public Speaking, which she dreaded, turned out to be one of the most useful in her career. "I use those communication skills almost every day as I talk with clients," she explains.
She has since launched her own tax business, Tidewater Taxes LLC, and is on the verge of completing her bachelor’s in business management. "RCC helped launch my dreams. Now, I’m just two classes away from my bachelor’s degree and will soon begin my master’s in accounting," she shares enthusiastically.
She encourages others considering community college. "It’s a great opportunity to stay local, save money, and figure out what you want to study. Community college helps keep student loan debt down, which is a huge bonus."
"I appreciate how close RCC is to home and the opportunities for both in-class and online learning. I love that I was able to save money and invest in my future instead of accumulating student loan debt." Her story is a reminder that with determination and a clear vision, success is within reach, no matter how long it takes.
Ronquest’s advice for students is, "Stay positive, stay focused, and don’t be afraid to take breaks if life gets in the way. Your goals are within reach, and community college can be the perfect first step."