By: Ryan Barbour

In the Spring semester of 2025, Longwood Communication Studies majors were offered an exciting opportunity through a partnership with Dunn Benefits Solutions, a small local business in Farmville, VA.

Founded by Angie Dunn in 2016, the company helps clients nationwide secure their financial future.

Dunn, a fully licensed broker in all 50 states, primarily serves people and businesses in Virginia, North Carolina, and Texas. Dunn says, “Financial education should not be only for the wealthy or privileged, it should also be for the average hard working Americans. It’s important to us that everyone has the same opportunity to have money for their future! I talk to so many people that don’t think they can achieve financial freedom or retirement. We are here to change that. At Dunn Benefits we like to slow down and take the time to explain how to budget, plan and save not just for your retirement but for your family and your future. I think what makes us stand out is the fact that we do not make our clients feel intimidated. I come from a family of hard working Americans. I am here to protect your family and your future.”

With Dunn Benefits Solutions now operating in Farmville, this collaboration provides Longwood Communication majors with hands-on experience in their field, preparing them for success after graduation.

Back in 2020, Dunn Benefits Solutions adapted to challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. To sustain and grow her client base, Dunn turned to social media at a time when demand for financial education was rapidly increasing. After going viral on TikTok with 9.9 million views, Dunn quickly became a successful content creator and influencer. Recently, Dunn Benefits Solutions launched a partnership with Longwood University Communications Studies Department, offering internship programs that provide students with hands-on experience in media and communications.

Three Longwood Communication majors have teamed up to work alongside Dunn at Dunn Benefits Solutions to develop a new podcast that provides valuable information at no cost.

Ryan Barbour, a senior at Longwood University specializing in public relations, manages social media marketing on Instagram.

Reflecting on the opportunity, Barbour shares, “I decided to work with Angie because I thought it was a great opportunity to strengthen my social media marketing skills and to better prepare myself for a job after I graduate this spring. I initially fell in love with social media marketing thanks to Dr. Ryan Stouffer’s digital and social media technologies class and this internship was a great opportunity for me to continue doing what I love!”

Madison Mocello and Shannon Velardi, both juniors at Longwood University specializing in digital media, also intern at Dunn Benefits Solutions assisting with the production of Angie’s new podcast What They Don’t Want You To Know. Reflecting on the experience, Mocello says, “I was looking for a video editing opportunity and Angie’s podcast was the perfect fit. I was really excited to have creative input and participate in hands-on work outside of school.”

Velardi also noted, “I saw this as an opportunity to grow as an editor particularly in audio engineering. This experience has helped me for life after graduation, where I plan to pursue a career in film production and editing.”

The partnership between Dunn Benefits Solutions and Longwood University offers students with valuable hands-on experience in media and communications. Dr. Ryan Stouffer an Associate Professor of Communications Studies says these are the ideal situations we look to put our students in before they graduate, “When Angie reached out to me, I was very excited as these are win win situations, where local business gets some extra resources, and our students get valuable professional experience before they graduate. It’s the perfect example of university students having tangible experience that only strengthens the relationship between Longwood and the residents of Farmville.”

Through work in social media marketing, podcast production, and digital media, Barbour, Mocello, and Velardi are building essential skills that will prepare them for their future careers.

Dunn’s success as a financial influencer and business owner promotes an engaging environment for students eager to apply their classroom knowledge in a professional setting. As this collaboration continues to grow, it highlights how small businesses and universities can work together to encourage career development.