{"id":144345,"date":"2026-01-30T17:56:05","date_gmt":"2026-01-30T17:56:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/144345\/"},"modified":"2026-01-30T17:56:05","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T17:56:05","slug":"how-one-military-veteran-mom-of-five-and-grandma-earned-a-texas-tech-degree-january-2026-texas-tech-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/144345\/","title":{"rendered":"How One Military Veteran, Mom of Five and Grandma Earned a Texas Tech Degree | January 2026 | Texas Tech Now"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rossalynn Thomas overcame life\u2019s plot twists by prioritizing herself and giving herself
\n the perfect gift \u2013 earning an online bachelor\u2019s degree and graduating on her birthday.<\/p>\n

\t\tCREATORS<\/p>\n

\"Portrait<\/p>\n

Rossalynn Thomas, like many women, always seemed to put others ahead of herself.<\/p>\n

Whether it was being a (sometimes) single mother of five \u2013 and now a grandmother \u2013her
\n nearly 13 years of service in the U.S. Army, caring for her mother during health challenges,
\n teaching as a supplemental college instructor or working jobs in the customer service
\n industry, Rossalynn has excelled at helping others. At one point she even wanted to
\n pursue a nursing degree.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It’s not surprising that her own educational aspirations ended up on hold. More than
\n once.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"RossalynRossalyn prepares for commencement.<\/p>\n

But at exactly 44 years old \u2013 yes, on her birthday \u2013 Rossalynn confidently crossed
\n the stage, summa cum laude, at Texas Tech University<\/a>\u2019s Winter 2025 commencement, completing a Bachelor of Science in Leadership Studies<\/a> through Texas Tech Online<\/a>. Her concentrations were human resources development, strategic leadership in healthcare
\n organizations and organizational leadership.\u00a0<\/p>\n

For commencement she also was selected as the banner bearer for the School of Professional
\n Studies \u2013 an honor reserved for top graduating students chosen by their specific colleges.
\n Qualifications focus on all-around excellence, not just grades, showcasing impact
\n within the university and community. It took some encouragement, though, for her to
\n accept that honor. \u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI was nervous because I’m clumsy, and I kept picturing myself tripping and falling
\n with the banner,\u201d Rossalynn chuckled. \u201cWhen I told my mom and dad, I could hear the
\n pride in their voices. Hearing, \u2018I’m proud of you, Mom,\u2019 from my own children is what
\n really pushed me to walk and carry the banner.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

And knowing there is a multitude of people out there just like her, trying to decide
\n if going back to school is right for them, Rossalynn says there\u2019s no better time than
\n the present.<\/p>\n

\u201cEspecially if you’re feeling the tug,\u201d she said with a knowing smile. \u201cI don’t want
\n to sound morbid, but tomorrow’s not promised and I feel like Texas Tech\u2019s tagline,
\n \u2018From Here It\u2019s Possible\u2122,\u2019 reinforces the fact that I made it. I’ve made it this
\n far. And I can continue on to whatever\u2019s next.<\/p>\n

Looking Back and Moving Forward<\/p>\n

Even before she graduated from high school in 2000, Rossalynn had joined the Army
\n 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
\n to the National Guard, she served until early 2012. She gained experience as a logistics
\n specialist and then a human resources specialist.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"RossalynnRossalynn and her \u201cbattle buddy\u201d Rachel<\/p>\n

Wanting to prioritize her education, she also started her higher ed journey at McLennan
\n Community College (MCC) in Waco in 2001, enrolling for a couple of semesters.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Marriage followed, and she had her oldest son, Keante, in 2002. Her husband at the
\n time, who was in the U.S. Navy, ended up getting stationed in Norfolk, Virginia, moving
\n the small \u2013 but still growing \u2013 family across the country. Shortly after the move,
\n Rossalynn was expecting their second son, Treilon.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"TreilonTreilon holding grandbaby Kaylani, Rossalynn and daughter-in-law Ta-Nia <\/p>\n

Not to be deterred, Rossalynn managed to pursue courses at East Coast Polytechnic
\n Institute in Newport News for about another year and a half. Despite her efforts to
\n prioritize her education, there was too much going on.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI was taking classes for accounting at the time and life just started \u2018lifing,\u2019\u201d
\n Rossalynn said, emphasizing the slang term to express the full weight and meaning
\n of her experience.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Rossalynn fast forwards to having two more children, daughters Terralynn and Kahmaiya.
\n Then, being single again and finding out her mother was having health challenges,
\n she moved back to Texas in 2007 to help. Finally, her youngest son, Terrance, was
\n born in 2010.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"RossalynnRossalynn and Terrance<\/p>\n

Thinking back on where she\u2019s been, Rossalynn recalled watching her mom go to school
\n to get her nursing certification. A smile beamed from her face when she also remembered
\n how motivating that was.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI remember helping her study for her nursing test, like her medical terminology classes,\u201d
\n Rossalynn said. \u201cI was in eighth grade when she got her LVN at Temple College. I remember
\n being at her graduation.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Rosalynn\"RossalynnRossalynn with mom Denise and bonus-dad Reginald<\/p>\n

She started taking classes again at Temple College, perhaps to earn a nursing degree.
\n But she didn\u2019t really know what she wanted most from among her many aspirations. She
\n kept changing up her degree.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIt got to where it was just hard to work, raise five kids and go to school full time,\u201d
\n Rossalynn sighed. \u201cIt was almost impossible. I took a break, and I was like, \u2018When
\n the Lord decides that it’s my time, I’ll know it.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

For a decade and after she left the military, Rossalynn did all kinds of customer
\n service work. Not surprisingly, her favorite iteration of customer service was in
\n the health care industry. In 2021, she was hired for a job she loved, working for
\n a global medical technology company.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Then came the layoff in 2023 when the company decided to outsource its customer service
\n department. The subsequent \u2013 and frustrating \u2013 job search became a main catalyst for
\n Rossalynn finally prioritizing her degree.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Putting Herself First<\/p>\n

Rossalynn applied for so many jobs, and got so many rejections, it sometimes frustrated
\n her to tears.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe answers were either, \u2018We can’t pay you what you’re worth,\u2019 or, \u2018We would prefer
\n it if you had a degree,\u2019\u201d Rossalynn said, her eyes welling up and her voice quavering,
\n still feeling the pain of the journey.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI’m not gonna lie. My self-esteem has never really been great, but it was that feeling
\n of not being wanted or not being good enough. I\u2019m trying not to get emotional, but
\n I remember how I felt, and that’s not a good feeling. And then knowing I served this
\n country for almost 13 years and I’m not good enough.\u201d<\/p>\n

However, something else happened as well that made her quest more doable. Around that
\n time her youngest son had turned 13; one of the reasons she had put school on hold
\n was to take care of her kids.<\/p>\n

\"RosalynnDewayne (uncle), Candace (sister), Tinisha (best friend), Nevaeh (goddaughter), Rossalynn,
\n Terrance, Ta-Nia and Treilon<\/p>\n

\u201cOnce he was old enough, I knew I could step away from household stuff for a couple
\n hours,\u201d Rossalynn said. \u201cI could focus more on school and not have to worry about
\n him burning the house down trying to make a grilled cheese sandwich.\u201d<\/p>\n

And there was something that helped save her sanity: Minecraft. Starting out playing
\n with her boys, Rossalynn explained the game has been a family activity for them for
\n about 10 years now,\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cOver time it became something I genuinely enjoy,\u201d she said. \u201cI like recreating real-life
\n structures in the game, where blocks have to be placed with precision. That level
\n of focus is very grounding for me and helps calm and organize my ADHD brain.\u201d<\/p>\n

Concentrating on that job search, Rossalynn was hired as a part-time supplemental
\n instructor at MCC, teaching Intro to Accounting, financial accounting and tutoring
\n for managerial accounting, using skills and knowledge from her earliest higher education
\n days and her work experiences.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"RosalynnRosalynn Thomas<\/p>\n

Directing her focus toward the future, she researched the Highlander to Red Raider
\n program at MCC, a definitive path to transfer credits to Texas Tech University to
\n finish out a bachelor\u2019s degree. She opted for the Texas Tech Online bachelor\u2019s in
\n Leadership Studies, entering the program in the spring of 2024. \u00a0<\/p>\n

The online degree was attractive to Rossalynn because of its flexibility. Unlike face-to-face
\n classes, she could do school on her own time and work ahead. In fact, others were
\n noticing her quiet efficiency with her coursework.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Raynie Gibbs, associate director in the School of Professional Studies and assistant
\n professor of practice, was Rossalynn\u2019s instructor for her fall leadership capstone
\n course and the one who nominated her for banner bearer.<\/p>\n

\"RaynieRaynie Gibbs<\/p>\n

Gibbs says Rossalynn\u2019s leadership philosophy statement demonstrated her mastery of
\n how to integrate her knowledge and skills from her previous experience in the military,
\n health care and education to craft a unique leadership style. That, along with her
\n education in human resources, all shape her goal of leading by example and by fostering
\n team ownership.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cShe brought a wealth of knowledge to the online classroom and was an encouraging
\n presence to all her classmates,\u201d Gibbs said, with obvious pride in her student. \u201cHer
\n work was always submitted on time, early in many cases, with practical applications
\n pulled from her work experience that made the course content come alive.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cRossalynn was a joy to meet face-to-face at graduation, with an exuberance that glowed
\n as she served as the banner bearer for the School of Professional Studies during the
\n ceremony.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Rossalynn may not have ended up at the commencement ceremony at all, though, without
\n the aid of another school administrator.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"CourtneyCourtney Lynn<\/p>\n

Courtney Lynn, the director of the School of Professional Studies, is always excited
\n to call a student to let them know they\u2019ve been selected as banner bearer. It was
\n especially meaningful to inform Rossalynn. \u00a0<\/p>\n

During the conversation, Rossalyn shared with Lynn the hardships she had overcome
\n and explained how important it was for her to attend commencement. But as a veteran
\n and a 100% distance student, the travel, lodging and many expenses associated with
\n graduation felt overwhelming to her.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur department was grateful to support Rossalyn by providing her with a cap and gown
\n and her honors and veteran’s stoles to ensure her big day was complete,\u201d Lynn beamed.
\n \u201cShe was incredibly grateful, and it was an easy decision to support such an outstanding
\n student, one who is determined to make a meaningful impact on the world through her
\n degree.\u201d<\/p>\n

Prioritizing Possibilities<\/p>\n

Of the many jobs and career opportunities she came across during her employment search,
\n Rossalynn estimated that probably 80% required a bachelor’s degree, but there were
\n many that wanted at least a master’s.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Now a master\u2019s degree is on her bucket list.<\/p>\n

\u201cI’m not gonna say I’m gonna go right into my master\u2019s, but it is on the list to get
\n that done, and I have an idea of the program that I want to do, the Master of Business Administration Online<\/a>,\u201d Rossalynn grinned. \u201cAnd of course I’m gonna be back at Texas Tech if they accept
\n me back.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Rosalynn<\/p>\n

Much like her early education path, Rossalynn still isn\u2019t quite sure what her immediate
\n next steps might be, but with her degree in hand she is definitely better equipped
\n now to navigate any route she takes.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI took back roads,\u201d she said. \u201cSide roads. I went on the highway. I think I crossed
\n the river on a boat a couple of times. It didn’t matter how I got to this point. I
\n got there and so can others, no matter their age. If you have the opportunity to continue
\n and finish your education, do it.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Rossalynn Thomas overcame life\u2019s plot twists by prioritizing herself and giving herself the perfect gift \u2013 earning an…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":9030,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[168,170,169],"class_list":{"0":"post-144345","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-lubbock","8":"tag-lubbock","9":"tag-lubbock-headlines","10":"tag-lubbock-news"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/144345","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=144345"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/144345\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9030"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=144345"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=144345"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=144345"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}