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.

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.”

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.

“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. 

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.

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, 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.”