Kennesaw State University senior Toni-Ann McKenzie is set to graduate with a double major in Entrepreneurship and Management from the Michael J. Coles College of Business. McKenzie’s focus during her studies has been on using innovation to create positive change, particularly for students with autism.
“As an entrepreneur, I want to be able to create a significant enough change where it will impact people, that’s the ultimate goal,” McKenzie said.
McKenzie’s interest in supporting students with special needs began when she served as a peer mentor in high school. At KSU, after joining the university’s Collegiate Entrepreneurship Organization (CEO), she partnered with fellow student Javanese Williams to co-found Totally Tutoring. The company aimed to support autistic students through specialized virtual tutoring sessions enhanced by expressive emojis.
“We did some research and found that the exaggerated expressions that emojis have can help students with autism learn better,” McKenzie explained. “The overemphasis makes the emotion that’s being displayed much clearer and reduces the ambiguity of having to pick up on social cues.”
Totally Tutoring developed a videoconferencing platform allowing parents to upload homework assignments for tutors, while facial-recognition software mirrored tutor emotions using emojis in real time during sessions.
McKenzie and Williams presented their business idea at Texas Christian University’s Richards Barrentine Values and Ventures Pitch Competition, advancing to the top 40 semifinalists among international undergraduate entrepreneurs. They also received financial backing from KSU’s Robin and Doug Shore Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center, securing two grants totaling $12,500 from The Mookerji Innovation Fund.
“We realized how many families needed something like this,” McKenzie said. “The feedback, the research, the training, all of it showed us the impact we could make. A lot of parents were like, ‘this would be amazing,’ especially because some of them homeschool, and since COVID, a lot more tutoring sessions are being done online, and personal interaction was limited.”
Although Totally Tutoring is currently paused, McKenzie continues developing new approaches for her concept with guidance from mentors.
During her time at KSU, McKenzie served as vice president and later president of CEO. She also led Coles Ambassadors for Student Success and represented her college at events such as Emory University’s Undergraduate Business Leadership Conference. In addition, she participated as a panelist at meetings held by Georgia Organization for Student Success.
“KSU has so many resources. If you ask, if you show up, people genuinely want to help you succeed,” she said.
Originally from Kingston, Jamaica, McKenzie moved to the United States in 2019. She will become the first member of her immediate family to earn a bachelor’s degree.
Dennis Loubiere—a part-time management instructor and program manager at KSU—praised her commitment: “Toni-Ann is a bright and ambitious student, and mentoring her has been a privilege,” Loubiere said. Her leadership, compassion, and drive to make a meaningful impact are evident in everything she does. I have no doubt she will continue to excel and inspire others wherever her career takes her.”
Currently interning with Educators Now—a substitute staffing company—McKenzie plans to pursue consulting roles after graduation before eventually starting her own business or taking on executive leadership positions focused on creating positive change.
“To be an Owl means to persevere,” McKenzie said. “It means striving for excellence, standing out, finding balance, gaining wisdom, and using what you’ve learned to make a difference.”
