Rossalynn Thomas overcame life’s plot twists by prioritizing herself and giving herself
the perfect gift – earning an online bachelor’s degree and graduating on her birthday.
CREATORS
Rossalynn Thomas, like many women, always seemed to put others ahead of herself.
Whether it was being a (sometimes) single mother of five – and now a grandmother –her
nearly 13 years of service in the U.S. Army, caring for her mother during health challenges,
teaching as a supplemental college instructor or working jobs in the customer service
industry, Rossalynn has excelled at helping others. At one point she even wanted to
pursue a nursing degree.
It’s not surprising that her own educational aspirations ended up on hold. More than
once.
Rossalyn prepares for commencement.
But at exactly 44 years old – yes, on her birthday – Rossalynn confidently crossed
the stage, summa cum laude, at Texas Tech University’s Winter 2025 commencement, completing a Bachelor of Science in Leadership Studies through Texas Tech Online. Her concentrations were human resources development, strategic leadership in healthcare
organizations and organizational leadership.
For commencement she also was selected as the banner bearer for the School of Professional
Studies – an honor reserved for top graduating students chosen by their specific colleges.
Qualifications focus on all-around excellence, not just grades, showcasing impact
within the university and community. It took some encouragement, though, for her to
accept that honor.
“I was nervous because I’m clumsy, and I kept picturing myself tripping and falling
with the banner,” Rossalynn chuckled. “When I told my mom and dad, I could hear the
pride in their voices. Hearing, ‘I’m proud of you, Mom,’ from my own children is what
really pushed me to walk and carry the banner.”
And knowing there is a multitude of people out there just like her, trying to decide
if going back to school is right for them, Rossalynn says there’s no better time than
the present.
“Especially if you’re feeling the tug,” she said with a knowing smile. “I don’t want
to sound morbid, but tomorrow’s not promised and I feel like Texas Tech’s tagline,
‘From Here It’s Possible™,’ reinforces the fact that I made it. I’ve made it this
far. And I can continue on to whatever’s next.
Looking Back and Moving Forward
Even before she graduated from high school in 2000, Rossalynn had joined the Army
Reserve in the spring of 1999. No surprise, as she is a fourth-generation veteran.
Her dad, grandfather and great grandfather were all in the military. Eventually transferring
to the National Guard, she served until early 2012. She gained experience as a logistics
specialist and then a human resources specialist.
Rossalynn and her “battle buddy” Rachel
Wanting to prioritize her education, she also started her higher ed journey at McLennan
Community College (MCC) in Waco in 2001, enrolling for a couple of semesters.
Marriage followed, and she had her oldest son, Keante, in 2002. Her husband at the
time, who was in the U.S. Navy, ended up getting stationed in Norfolk, Virginia, moving
the small – but still growing – family across the country. Shortly after the move,
Rossalynn was expecting their second son, Treilon.
Treilon holding grandbaby Kaylani, Rossalynn and daughter-in-law Ta-Nia
Not to be deterred, Rossalynn managed to pursue courses at East Coast Polytechnic
Institute in Newport News for about another year and a half. Despite her efforts to
prioritize her education, there was too much going on.
“I was taking classes for accounting at the time and life just started ‘lifing,’”
Rossalynn said, emphasizing the slang term to express the full weight and meaning
of her experience.
Rossalynn fast forwards to having two more children, daughters Terralynn and Kahmaiya.
Then, being single again and finding out her mother was having health challenges,
she moved back to Texas in 2007 to help. Finally, her youngest son, Terrance, was
born in 2010.
Rossalynn and Terrance
Thinking back on where she’s been, Rossalynn recalled watching her mom go to school
to get her nursing certification. A smile beamed from her face when she also remembered
how motivating that was.
“I remember helping her study for her nursing test, like her medical terminology classes,”
Rossalynn said. “I was in eighth grade when she got her LVN at Temple College. I remember
being at her graduation.”
Rossalynn with mom Denise and bonus-dad Reginald
She started taking classes again at Temple College, perhaps to earn a nursing degree.
But she didn’t really know what she wanted most from among her many aspirations. She
kept changing up her degree.
“It got to where it was just hard to work, raise five kids and go to school full time,”
Rossalynn sighed. “It was almost impossible. I took a break, and I was like, ‘When
the Lord decides that it’s my time, I’ll know it.’”
For a decade and after she left the military, Rossalynn did all kinds of customer
service work. Not surprisingly, her favorite iteration of customer service was in
the health care industry. In 2021, she was hired for a job she loved, working for
a global medical technology company.
Then came the layoff in 2023 when the company decided to outsource its customer service
department. The subsequent – and frustrating – job search became a main catalyst for
Rossalynn finally prioritizing her degree.
Putting Herself First
Rossalynn applied for so many jobs, and got so many rejections, it sometimes frustrated
her to tears.
“The answers were either, ‘We can’t pay you what you’re worth,’ or, ‘We would prefer
it if you had a degree,’” Rossalynn said, her eyes welling up and her voice quavering,
still feeling the pain of the journey.
“I’m not gonna lie. My self-esteem has never really been great, but it was that feeling
of not being wanted or not being good enough. I’m trying not to get emotional, but
I remember how I felt, and that’s not a good feeling. And then knowing I served this
country for almost 13 years and I’m not good enough.”
However, something else happened as well that made her quest more doable. Around that
time her youngest son had turned 13; one of the reasons she had put school on hold
was to take care of her kids.
Dewayne (uncle), Candace (sister), Tinisha (best friend), Nevaeh (goddaughter), Rossalynn,
Terrance, Ta-Nia and Treilon
“Once he was old enough, I knew I could step away from household stuff for a couple
hours,” Rossalynn said. “I could focus more on school and not have to worry about
him burning the house down trying to make a grilled cheese sandwich.”
And there was something that helped save her sanity: Minecraft. Starting out playing
with her boys, Rossalynn explained the game has been a family activity for them for
about 10 years now,
“Over time it became something I genuinely enjoy,” she said. “I like recreating real-life
structures in the game, where blocks have to be placed with precision. That level
of focus is very grounding for me and helps calm and organize my ADHD brain.”
Concentrating on that job search, Rossalynn was hired as a part-time supplemental
instructor at MCC, teaching Intro to Accounting, financial accounting and tutoring
for managerial accounting, using skills and knowledge from her earliest higher education
days and her work experiences.
Rosalynn Thomas
Directing her focus toward the future, she researched the Highlander to Red Raider
program at MCC, a definitive path to transfer credits to Texas Tech University to
finish out a bachelor’s degree. She opted for the Texas Tech Online bachelor’s in
Leadership Studies, entering the program in the spring of 2024.
The online degree was attractive to Rossalynn because of its flexibility. Unlike face-to-face
classes, she could do school on her own time and work ahead. In fact, others were
noticing her quiet efficiency with her coursework.
Raynie Gibbs, associate director in the School of Professional Studies and assistant
professor of practice, was Rossalynn’s instructor for her fall leadership capstone
course and the one who nominated her for banner bearer.
Raynie Gibbs
Gibbs says Rossalynn’s leadership philosophy statement demonstrated her mastery of
how to integrate her knowledge and skills from her previous experience in the military,
health care and education to craft a unique leadership style. That, along with her
education in human resources, all shape her goal of leading by example and by fostering
team ownership.
“She brought a wealth of knowledge to the online classroom and was an encouraging
presence to all her classmates,” Gibbs said, with obvious pride in her student. “Her
work was always submitted on time, early in many cases, with practical applications
pulled from her work experience that made the course content come alive.
“Rossalynn was a joy to meet face-to-face at graduation, with an exuberance that glowed
as she served as the banner bearer for the School of Professional Studies during the
ceremony.”
Rossalynn may not have ended up at the commencement ceremony at all, though, without
the aid of another school administrator.
Courtney Lynn
Courtney Lynn, the director of the School of Professional Studies, is always excited
to call a student to let them know they’ve been selected as banner bearer. It was
especially meaningful to inform Rossalynn.
During the conversation, Rossalyn shared with Lynn the hardships she had overcome
and explained how important it was for her to attend commencement. But as a veteran
and a 100% distance student, the travel, lodging and many expenses associated with
graduation felt overwhelming to her.
“Our department was grateful to support Rossalyn by providing her with a cap and gown
and her honors and veteran’s stoles to ensure her big day was complete,” Lynn beamed.
“She was incredibly grateful, and it was an easy decision to support such an outstanding
student, one who is determined to make a meaningful impact on the world through her
degree.”
Prioritizing Possibilities
Of the many jobs and career opportunities she came across during her employment search,
Rossalynn estimated that probably 80% required a bachelor’s degree, but there were
many that wanted at least a master’s.
Now a master’s degree is on her bucket list.
“I’m not gonna say I’m gonna go right into my master’s, but it is on the list to get
that done, and I have an idea of the program that I want to do, the Master of Business Administration Online,” Rossalynn grinned. “And of course I’m gonna be back at Texas Tech if they accept
me back.”
Much like her early education path, Rossalynn still isn’t quite sure what her immediate
next steps might be, but with her degree in hand she is definitely better equipped
now to navigate any route she takes.
“I took back roads,” she said. “Side roads. I went on the highway. I think I crossed
the river on a boat a couple of times. It didn’t matter how I got to this point. I
got there and so can others, no matter their age. If you have the opportunity to continue
and finish your education, do it.”