Audra LaCroix earned her bachelor’s through Texas Tech’s $10K Completion Program

Thirteen years ago, when Audra LaCroix stepped onto a college campus, she was full of excitement and ambition, ready to begin the life she had thoroughly visualized. Like so many first-year students, she was curious, driven and full of possibility. She loved learning and was ready to study.

Then, just a few months into her first semester, everything changed.

Audra was diagnosed with Stage 3 Lymphoma.

The years that followed were a blur of medical withdrawals, surgeries and chemotherapy. Even after reaching remission the following year, she wasn’t mentally or emotionally ready to return to school. 

“When I did go back, I felt like just a number at a time when I desperately needed an advocate,” Audra recalled. “I eventually dropped out, and the life plan I had carefully mapped out was completely derailed.”

This month Audra will graduate as a Red Raider from Texas Tech Online’s $10K Degree Completion program, with a Bachelor of Science in Leadership Studies including concentrations in organizational leadership, human resource development and integrative studies.

Finding Her Way Anyway

After beating cancer, Audra found her footing in the working world by building a career in recruiting and human resources (HR). She genuinely loved the work and the people she helped, but without a degree, she often felt like an outsider in rooms full of professionals with formal education. 

“I always dreaded the question, ‘So where did you graduate from?’ or ‘What was your degree in?’ and I constantly questioned whether I truly belonged at the table,” Audra admitted. 

Over time, as the recruiting industry mirrored the ups and downs of the job market, Audra faced multiple layoffs, each one shaking not only her sense of progress and stability, but also her confidence.

Then last year, after being laid off again, Audra quite literally was given a sign. 

“I was driving through Irving to a job interview when I saw the billboard that read, “Finish Your Degree: TTU’s 10K Degree Program,” she recalled, smiling. “I thought, ‘that’s pretty cool,’ and just a few days later, I received a message on LinkedIn about that very same program. Maybe it was automated, but the timing felt like a sign I couldn’t ignore.”

Whatever it was, some invisible drive kicked in. She knew if she didn’t complete her degree now, she never would, and she applied immediately. 

The bachelor’s in leadership studies was the perfect fit to help her transition from recruiting into a broader HR role.

Barrier Breakers

From the beginning, Audra’s experience with Texas Tech felt different. She wasn’t just another number in a system; she was a person with a future worth investing in.

“It took over a decade to find my way back to higher education,” Audra said. “For the first time in years, because of Texas Tech’s $10K program, I felt hopeful about school again. The support I received from the beginning made all the difference.” 

Audra credits people like Blake Wright at Texas Tech DFW, her first academic advisor for the in-person microcredential portion of the program, whose encouragement and enthusiasm made her feel that someone genuinely wanted her at the university. 

Navigating financial aid felt overwhelming until Jerry Kavalieratos, assistant director of Student Financial Aid & Scholarships, stepped in, breaking everything down and helping Audra build a plan. Instead of feeling panicked, she felt empowered.

One particular piece of the puzzle especially excited Audra: taking advantage of free prior learning assessment (PLA) – her previous work experience translating into college hours. It being a free component of the program was remarkable because other universities charge for it. 

“PLA was actually a big draw to the $10K program for me,” Audra said, still impressed by the experience. “I really appreciated how unique the program is in recognizing that my work experience was meaningful and added value to my education, because it truly did. 

“It also reminded me that while I hadn’t been in school, I never stopped learning, which made returning to school feel a lot less intimidating. I also appreciated seeing that Texas Tech is genuinely invested in helping students finish their degrees.”

Navigators and Encouragers

Without fail, the people she encountered along her path only helped make her journey more accessible. Tracy Owens, an instructor in the School of Professional Studies and Audra’s first professor after restarting her college journey, had an impact the post-traditional student will never forget.

“Her teaching style was encouraging, thoughtful and accessible, and she helped ease me back into academic life through the microcredential courses. Her class was the first time I truly felt, ‘I can do this,’ and that confidence carried into every class that followed.”

Owens recalls Audra joining the $10K program in DFW and bringing an excited, bubbly spirit – and more than a bit of uncertainty about how the transition back to school would go. 

“She quickly became a delightful, positive presence in class and was always helpful, engaged and truly a joy to have in the room,” Owens said. “In discussions, she shared thoughtful insights from her recruiting experience and supported her classmates, helping to create a welcoming and collaborative environment. Finishing her degree was a personal goal, and she followed through with commitment and purpose.”

On completion of the face-to-face microcredentials, Audra was officially admitted as a Red Raider. Jackson Garibay, senior academic analyst, became a constant source of support. From academic planning to last-minute questions, Audra recalls that Jackson met every concern with patience, clarity and care. He answered more questions than she could count, and not once did she feel like a burden.

Garibay considers Audra an incredibly dedicated and determined student who has approached her return to college with focus, resilience and a strong sense of purpose.

“She consistently put in the work, asked thoughtful questions and remained committed to making steady progress toward her goals,” he said. “As a student who returned after time away from school, Audra fully embraced the support available through Texas Tech’s $10K program and advising resources, using that guidance to stay on track and build confidence in her abilities. Graduating this month is a reflection of both her hard work and her willingness to seek support and stay engaged throughout her journey.”

Additionally, each online professor Audra encountered provided challenging yet fair coursework that challenged her academically while considering the realities of working adults. Every person she met was incredibly understanding and willing to work with her when her professional life occasionally got in the way. 

And then there were her fellow $10K peers – students from all walks of life, ages, cultures and backgrounds. She knows her story is one of hundreds, but it captures something essential about Texas Tech’s $10K Degree Completion program: it doesn’t just help students finish degrees; it helps them finish what life interrupted.

“Their stories of grit, bravery and courage to reach for a better life reminded me that it’s never too late to begin again,” Audra said.

New Job, New Life

Audra is proud to say she’s the HR manager for commercial real estate company Castle Development Group. She leads initiatives that drive talent acquisition, employee engagement and performance management – a job she truly loves. 

Although the role typically required a degree, the company was excited about her return to school and saw it as a sign of her drive to keep growing. They took a chance on her, and she knows being part of the degree completion program helped make that possible.

Last summer, as Audra enjoyed time at a lakeside resort, making unforgettable memories with loved ones, she remembers reflecting on what seemed like a pipe dream just two years prior.

“This job had truly changed my life,” Audra said, beaming with pride. “I sat there, financially stable, deeply content and filled with gratitude and pride, thinking about how much had changed because I chose to finish my degree.”

And speaking of loved ones, Audra initially did not tell her family she was going back to school. She surprised them at Christmas with the news that she’d be graduating come spring.

It was one of the most meaningful moments of her life.

Audra thinks back to the 19-year-old girl who felt lost in the system and wondered if college just wasn’t in the cards for her, if maybe she didn’t have what it took or if cancer was going to write her story. 

“I wish she could see me now,” Audra said, wiping away a tear escaping down her cheek. “I know it can be hard to see the impact one – or many – make at their job, but I want everyone who helped me along the way to know they are making a difference. A big one. I hope my story shows the depth of impact this program has had and will continue to have. 

“Thank you for helping me believe in myself again and for creating something that truly changes lives. I’m so proud to be part of this program and to be a Red Raider.” 

Apply for Texas Tech Online’s $10K Degree Completion program in DFW or El Paso.