Keyirra Fuell
Reynolds Grad Spring 2022

Five children. Life problems. Covid twice. Still Keyirra made it to her finish line and received her Associates Degree in Opticianry. She credits the "wonderful team of professors in the opticianry program . . . especially Ms. Leah Exline," for supporting and motivating her all the way through.

Here's what Keyirra says about her experience: 

I'm a proud mother of five beautiful children. I enjoy helping others and meeting new people, that's why I wanted a rewarding career in some sort of nursing field or something like that. I started off in the dental assistant program then changed my major to Optician, for one because it offered a degree instead of a certificate and it just seemed like a better fit for me than dealing with teeth, and it's also kind of like nursing but not as rough. As an optician I get to help people see better versus teeth and sickly patients so it's like best of both worlds and a very rewarding experience at work and college. 

I'm very proud to have finished this program because I have started and stopped several times other times in my life and even this program I stopped a few semesters in-between because of life problems, but I am so glad that I got through it with the five kids and normal life problems, boyfriend drama, covid twice, and just feeling overwhelmed with it all together. 

I want to thank the wonderful team of professors in the optician program for motivational support and staying on me to finish especially Ms. Leah Exline. I appreciate them all and am thankful for the experience and kind people at Reynolds. 

Khizer Hayat
Accounting Manager/Financial Operations

Where did you live while growing up and what was it like?

I grew up in Pakistan and enjoyed my childhood as much as one could. My father had a nice government job. I had friends to go out, servants available 24/7, big house to play, had pets including dogs, ducks, cows, cats, buffaloes, monkeys, chickens, talking parrots, rabbits, pigeons. It was like a mini zoo on one side of house. I miss playing in the rain for hours and making paper boats.

You speak six languages – Persian, Farsi, Dari, Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi. How did you come to learn so many languages? How do you retain all those language now? 

Most of  these I learnt because of my duty stations. Others I speak at home. I have friends whom I talk in these languages.

You started your position with Reynolds on September 26. What were you doing before you came to the college? 

I was working as Staff Accountant in New York.

How did you get started in your career in finance? 

I started it by choice. I was motivated by one of my uncles in my family.

What is your favorite aspect of your job?

Sense of belonging to a professional organization and good people around me. When I wake up in morning I have feeling that I am going to spend next 8-9 hours with good people.

What do you like to do when you aren’t working? 

I have self-development goals. When I am not working I prepare for CIA exam and love to spend time with my family.

Do you have a favorite book, movie, or TV series? Why is it your favorite? 

Most of times I am studying my course books for self-development. I like watching Hindi movies and listening to Urdu, Hindu and Dari songs.

If you won $100 million in the lottery, what would you do with the money?

I will start my own business, sponsor education and skills programs for people of any age, pay for surgery of young girls who became victim of acid attacks in third world countries, start a housing program for homeless, buy the house I lived in my childhood. 

 Employee Profile:

Carlos Savory / Welding Instructor

(pictured center with his welding students)

Where did you grow up and what was it like? 

My hometown is Williamsburg, Virginia. It's a small town with great people and a wonderful place to grow up.  

What were you doing before coming to Reynolds? 

Before I came to Reynolds, I was working in the welding industry at a company called Custom Ornamental Iron where I was a fabricator/welder.  

What got you interested in welding, and in teaching for Reynolds? 

Originally it was a football teammate in high school that told me about welding and the tech program that was offered at my school. After the first day of welding I was hooked. 

I found out about the teaching position at Reynolds in 2020 during the pandemic. Welding instructor jobs are usually rare and hard to find so I took the opportunity and I have enjoyed teaching ever since.  

What is the most rewarding part of your work? The most challenging? 

I would say the most rewarding part is taking a student that is having a tough time welding in the lab and finding different ways to teach them that works for them. It is very rewarding to finally see the smile on their face once they have made an excellent weld. The most challenging are the work hours. During the day I teach welding at a local high school. At night I teach at Reynolds. Long hours, but very rewarding work.  

What is your favorite movie, TV series, or book? And, why? 

My favorite movie would have to be Jurassic Park. I have always loved dinosaurs as a kid and that has never changed. 

I can’t really say I have a favorite TV series. I am often too busy to sit and watch TV, but I do enjoy looking at random videos on YouTube. 

My favorite book is called “All Blood Runs Red” by Phil Keith. It’s a true story about a man name Eugene that escapes oppression in American during the 1900’s and becomes the first African American fighter pilot during World War 1. 

What are your hobbies, or interests outside of work? 

I enjoy going to the gym and spending time with my family.  

If you won $100 million in the lottery, what would you do with the money? 

I wouldn’t do anything exciting with it. I would save most of it, invest some of it into the stock market and buy investment properties, possibly start a construction company. I would mainly use it to ensure a good future for generations to come.