Accounting has been a consistent thread throughout Tonya Dion Mitchell’s life. Her interest in the field began in high school, where she discovered her natural affinity for numbers and financial management. Although life led her down a different career path—raising children and building a successful hairstyling career—Tonya always wanted to pursue accounting.
“I’ve always loved working with numbers,” she shares. “Even while running my business, I would help friends with their books and financial planning. It kept my passion for accounting alive, even though I wasn’t formally trained.” These hands-on experiences fueled her interest in the field and reminded her of the possibilities a career in accounting could offer.
A moment of reflection
The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 was a turning point for Tonya. As her hairstyling work slowed, she reflected on her goals and considered the possibilities of a career shift. “Accounting has always been a part of me,” Tonya says. “When my work started getting slower during COVID, I thought, ‘Wow, this is something I need to look into.’ I realized I needed to go back to school and get my degree in accounting.”
Tonya enrolled at Chicago State University, but being a student during the pandemic presented significant challenges. The shift to online learning, coupled with limited support, made it difficult for her to stay on track and she stopped out of school. But, after several years away, she made the courageous decision to return in the fall of 2024, determined to finish what she started despite the hurdles she faced.
Finding support through ReUp
Returning to school presented multiple challenges, including navigating the re-enrollment process, addressing financial aid questions, and balancing her existing responsibilities at home.
“I signed up to go back, but the process felt overwhelming,” Tonya says. “I wasn’t sure what to expect, and as I waited for responses, I started to feel discouraged.”
At a low point in her efforts to re-enroll, Tonya received an email from ReUp. At first, she ignored it, unsure if returning to school was even feasible. “I kept ignoring it because I hadn’t really decided if I was going to go back to school,” she admits. But ReUp’s persistence and resources eventually encouraged her to take the next step.
When Tonya connected with her ReUp Success Coach, Skye, everything began to change. “She reached out when I was all over the place,” Tonya says.
“She really helped me get things in order and stopped being so discouraged. During those times when I wanted to give up and say, ‘I can’t do this, this is too much,’ Skye was there, being patient and supportive.”
— Tonya Mitchell
Skye worked closely with Tonya to help her navigate the complexities of returning to school and establish consistency in her academic pursuits. Early on, Tonya encountered challenges, including uncertainty about her enrollment status. Balancing her busy life—caring for family, running a business, and managing personal responsibilities—added more layers of complexity. Skye supported Tonya through these hurdles, offering encouragement and practical solutions to help her stay focused and move forward. Together, they also tackled the demands of modern educational technology, turning initial frustrations into new skills and confidence.
Technology that once seemed like a barrier gradually became a tool she mastered. “There were some technology challenges around this platform called Moodle,” Skye recalls. “But 30 days later, when I brought up Moodle, Tonya said, ‘No, Moodle’s fine. This is what we’re focusing on now.’ She just keeps moving forward.” Each small accomplishment rebuilt her confidence, proving to herself that her dream was within reach.
For Tonya, seeing incremental progress became a source of motivation. “It’s like little pieces fitting into the puzzle,” she explains. “I start getting things accomplished, and that’s when I know I can do this.”
The regular check-ins with Skye became opportunities for personal growth, teaching Tonya new strategies for managing stress and staying focused. “The consistency, the patience—those are the things that I’m learning to put into my life right now,” Tonya says.
Returning to school also gave Tonya the opportunity to focus on herself in ways she hadn’t before. “Not that I don’t focus on others—that’s just me, that’s always going to be my passion—but I had to start focusing more on me,” she reflects. “Going back to school and taking care of myself, that’s what makes a big impact.”
Advice for adult learners
For those considering a return to school, Tonya offers straightforward advice:
You don’t have to do it by yourself. Getting someone to help you—that’s where you get the motivation.
— Tonya Mitchell
She also stresses the role education plays in opening doors. “Going back to school is one way for you to get into the field that you want to get into.”
Tonya’s journey reflects her commitment to redefining what’s possible for herself. With each step forward, she has shown that taking a chance on your dreams—even after life has taken you in different directions—can lead to something meaningful. “It’s never too late,” she says. “You can do it.”
