Trust the process: How Dr. Adrienne Moore-Terrell is Turning Academic Aspirations into Action

“You’ve got to just let it work, let time and trust the process.”

Dr. Moore-Terrell

At a young age, Dr. Adrienne Moore-Terrell knew she wanted to attend an HBCU. (Historical Black College or University)

Now, she is putting the writing on the walls as a Professor at Texas Southern University, 2x HBCU alumna, and founder of Virtues House Inc.

Dr. Moore- Terrell’s success began beyond Houston, with her mission rooted in family support, driven by knowledge, and powered by purpose.

Growing up in the robust city of Shreveport, Louisiana, she later relocated to the bustling college town of Florence, Massachusetts.

Culture and academia became catalysts in her journey as an educator.

You would see college students all the time, but there weren’t that many black students.

Dr. Moore-Terrell

Living near major institutions like the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Mount Holyoke, Smith College and Hampshire College, while watching popular coming-of-age sitcoms like The Cosby Show invoked her inspirations in the field of media and her aspirations of attending college. 

In high school, I loved hip hop, so I always wanted to do something in communications.

Dr. Moore-Terrell

“Some black students took us on as their little sisters because they knew there weren’t many black families in town. So they would do things with us, and we would be on the Smith College campus all the time,” she added. 

Her love of pop culture and television shows highlighting HBCU culture in mainstream media galvanized Dr. Moore-Terrell’s dream of attending a college where school spirit thrives and campus life is just as eventful as it appears on screen.

I was always exposed to college life because of where I lived, but School Daze did it for me.

Dr. Moore-Terrell

The 1988 film School Daze, directed by Spike Lee, explored themes of elitism and other issues within the Black community. It would also open doors that pushed HBCUs to the top of the totem pole. 

They made the show a Different World because of that, which was something monumental to me.

Dr. Moore-Terrell

She began her studies at Wiley College, later transferring to UMass Amherst, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in communications. Along the way, she felt called to help other young women navigate college, especially those facing challenges similar to her own as a young mother.

I was a teen mom, and I wanted to do something to help young women navigate college. It wasn’t easy, but I had a lot of support from my family and always ran into people who encouraged me.

Dr. Moore-Terrell

Students often face obstacles on the path to higher education, but the added pressure of motherhood makes the pursuit even more challenging.

 College is hard for anyone, but especially as a mom—it was difficult. 

Dr. Moore-Terrell

Balancing motherhood and school was made possible for Dr. Moore-Terrell through her strong support system. She did not take that privilege lightly as she knew for many others a strong home base can be the extra push they may need to succeed in academia.

I still had a campus life experience because I stayed there for the first two years. When we moved to Massachusetts, I stayed off campus with my son, but I had people taking me back and forth so I could spend time with him. He could even stay on campus with me on some weekends.

Dr. Moore-Terrell

A scholastic seed planted early on; in conjunction with ambition to defy the status-quo while helping others, would grow into a lifelong mission. 

In graduate school, she focused on juvenile justice and published articles on teen pregnancy. 

After earning her master’s degree from Grambling State University, she remained committed to public service, later completing her Ph.D. in Urban Higher Education at Jackson State University.

She learned that society often reduces young mothers to statistics, disregarding their aspirations to pursue higher education and reshape their futures.

When you have a kid, when you’re a teen, you’re considered a juvenile delinquent. A lot of the young women become homeless, and there’s a lot of destitute type of things that they experience.

Dr. Moore-Terrell

Determined to shift that narrative, Dr. Moore-Terrell founded Virtues House Inc., a nonprofit organization catered for young mothers pursuing higher education.

I wanted to start a program to help young women who wanted to go to college.

Dr. Moore-Terrell

Dr.Moore-Terrell has turned that conviction into action through her 3 VH programs: Mentor, Culture & Arts, and Community Connections. In 2020, as the pandemic disrupted traditional graduations and deepened obstacles for young families, she returned to her former high school to support teen parents. 

These initiatives under VH included delivering care packages for the teen parents and their children, distributing her college readiness e-book explicitly written for Gen Z, and offering direct support for the college transition.

Every year, Virtues House Inc. upholds its values by softening the hardship of those who aspire to achieve through an annual $500 scholarship and sponsorship of two students’ HBCU Common Application.

VH is a space where people find comfort, community, and growth. Members receive support through every stage—mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. The goal is to guide them in balancing family life with outside responsibilities. Through counseling and workshops, VH helps participants step confidently into adulthood, growing stronger and more self-aware.

Your education, your mind—that’s something no one can take away from you. So always, do your best and give your best.

Words of Dr.Moore-Terrell’s Mother

Now, Dr. Adrienne Moore-Terrell passes that message to the next generation of HBCU scholars she inspires on their journey to success in every avenue of academia. Representing what it looks like to make waves in the vast sea of life as a professor, mentor, and philanthropist.