Two years ago, Alicia Coachman and her husband traded the fast pace of New York City for the quiet countryside of Nathalie, Virginia. Her husband had recently retired from the New York Transportation Department,and together they were ready for a simpler life, one with more space, more peace, and new beginnings.
“We are literally nowhere — we’re in the woods!” Rhoan Dean laughs, recalling the shift from city sidewalks to country back-roads.
Today, Coachman and her son, Dean, are embracing another major life change: they’re attending college together. A 2025 graduate of Halifax County High School, Dean was the first to suggest taking classes at the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center (SVHEC) in South Boston. His excitement about continuing his education unexpectedly inspired his mom to do the same.
“I was always giving him advice on how to improve his life,” Coachman said. “And then I realized I was telling him to do things I had never done myself.”
After a period of reflection and prayer, Coachman discovered her passion: teaching.
“I’ve always loved sharing what I learn — with friends, family, even strangers,” she said. “I love understanding how things work and how they’re connected scientifically… not mathematically,” she added with a laugh.
When Coachman told her son she was enrolling in college, his reaction was one of surprise.
“It was completely out of the blue,” Dean said, grinning. “But I’m glad to see her doing it.”
Now both Alicia and Rhoan are students at Southside Virginia Community College (SVCC) through the SVHEC. They share not only a home, but also a few college classes and a commute. Every Tuesday, they carpool from Nathalie to South Boston, enjoying the thirty-minute drive as time to connect and encourage each other. They currently share two computer courses, and while Coachman is adjusting to new technology, she insists there’s no competition between them.
“I try to figure things out on my own first,” she said. “But if I’m stuck, I’ll ask for help.”
Dean nodded, “If she doesn’t understand a task, I help her out.”
Their mutual support extends beyond homework. One recent day, when Coachman insisted she could drive herself to class, she was surprised to hear a familiar sound in the driveway.
“I heard noise outside and asked, ‘Did you come back to get me?’ And he said, ‘Yeah,’” Coachman recalled with a smile. “It was so sweet — it let me know he cares.”
Dean works full-time with Comfort Systems USA MidAtlantic and earned his HVAC Certification through the dual enrollment program between SVHEC and Halifax County High School. He also holds a certificate in finance and is now majoring in business.
“As a real estate agent, I’d understand what a house needs for efficient HVAC,” he explained. “I’d like to work with housing developers — design HVAC layouts, install systems, and handle maintenance or repairs.”
Balancing a full-time job and college isn’t easy, so Dean takes advantage of online courses when in-person options conflict with his work schedule.
“I can log in later and get the work done,” he said. “That flexibility makes it possible.”
Coachman, on the other hand, prefers the traditional classroom experience.
“If I don’t have to do it online, I won’t,” she said. “At home there are too many distractions. I like being able to look at my teacher and ask a question in the moment. On Zoom, you’re just observing you don’t really get to participate.”
For Coachman, returning to school has been an act of courage and self-belief.
“It’s never too late to learn,” she said. “I used to think everything would be too hard, but I’m always telling him, ‘You can do it.’ Eventually, I had to believe that for myself.”
Both Alicia and Rhoan received scholarships from the Southern Virginia Higher Education Foundation (SVHEF) this fall Alicia Coachman was awarded the Dr. W. Joseph Ferguson Scholarship, and Rhoan Dean received the T.C. Leggett Scholarship.Their shared journey is a reminder that education has no age limit and that sometimes, the best way to inspire your child is to walk alongside them.
To learn more about scholarship opportunities, visit www.svhef.org. To establish a scholarship, contact Liza Fulton, SVHEF Scholarship and Outreach Coordinator, at lizafulton@svhef.org or 434-572-5448. To make a donation in support of student scholarships, visit the website and click “Give Now.”
The Southern Virginia Higher Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located at 180 Factory Street, South Boston, VA 24592. The Foundation supports students at the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center by providing scholarships and resources that help them achieve their academic and career goals.