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La’Rae McCloud’s Commencement Journey
A Story of Struggle, Support, and Self-Discovery
University News | May 8, 2025
La’Rae McCloud’s 好色先生tv journey didn’t follow a straight line—but her path to graduation has been marked by resilience, reflection, and personal growth. 
The psychology major, who will graduate this month, has her sights set on a career in social work with a focus on family therapy. Her passion for helping others is rooted in lived experience—and the lessons she learned through years of perseverance.
“I did not want to let down my family,” says McCloud. “A push from your parents is always good, but I wanted to do it myself.”
A native of Maryland who finished high school in Richmond, McCloud arrived at VWU in the fall of 2020, a time when classes were still virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She began her college career online—attending classes from her dorm room or the dining hall, in near isolation.
“It was like a whole new world without parents there to tell me what to do,” she says. The transition wasn’t easy. She struggled with time management, missed classes, and found herself in an unhealthy relationship that diverted her attention from academics. By her sophomore year, she was placed on academic probation. But she refused to give up.
With determination and support from VWU’s academic support team, she took control of her academic future. “The academic support staff were very hands-on and showed real concern for me,” she says. Even after her probation was lifted, McCloud continued working with her academic coach and attended goal-setting workshops to strengthen her study habits.
Outside of the classroom, McCloud balanced a heavy workload—often working between 32 and 40 hours per week, sometimes at multiple jobs. Her strong work ethic helped her stay grounded and focused on her goals. “I wanted to push myself,” she says, “and I knew I was capable of more.” Now, she graduates not only with a degree but with a deep appreciation for the journey—and the people who helped her along the way.
“It was so much fun. I just loved it,” McCloud says of her time at VWU. “There is such a great sense of community and so many opportunities to both have fun and grow academically, personally, and professionally.”
That sense of community is something of a family tradition. Her cousin graduated from Virginia Wesleyan in 2016, and McCloud says she was inspired to follow in those footsteps. But her story is uniquely her own—a testament to hard work, self-discovery, and finding strength in vulnerability.
Describing herself as outgoing and ambitious, McCloud is now preparing for the next chapter of her life. As she enters the field of social work, she hopes to be the kind of advocate who listens, uplifts, and makes a difference.
“I’ve learned that support can change everything,” she says. “And I want to be that kind of support for others.”