Veteran mom of five earns Texas Tech degree on 44th birthday

Rossalynn Thomas marked her 44th birthday by graduating from Texas Tech University as a summa cum laude and School of Professional Studies flag bearer.

Thomas, a mother of five, grandma, and nearly 13-year Army veteran, earned a Bachelor of Science in Leadership Studies from Texas Tech Online during the university's Winter 2025 commencement. Her specialties were human resources development, strategic health care leadership, and organizational leadership.

The university's banner bearer is Thomas, one of the top graduates who achieve academically and give back to their communities.

“I felt a wave of anxiety due to my clumsiness, and I could not shake the image of myself stumbling and falling while holding the banner,” Thomas said. “When my kids said, ‘I’m proud of you, Mom,’ it inspired me to act and represent our cause.”

Thomas took decades to graduate. She joined the Army Reserve in 1999 before graduating high school. She then became a logistics and human resources specialist in the National Guard until 2012. She balanced military service, early college study at McLennan Community College and then at East Coast Polytechnic Institute, and a growing family as a fourth-generation veteran.

Marriage, relocation, and five children delayed her degree. Thomas returned to Texas in 2007 to help her mother with health issues. She occasionally took classes, but as job and parenting increased, she stopped.

In 2023, a healthcare customer service layoff reaffirmed her commitment to finishing her degree.

Thomas said, “The responses were typically, ‘We can’t pay you what you’re worth,’ or, ‘We would prefer it if you had a degree.’” “I recall the emotions I experienced, and they were far from positive.”

She joined the Highlander-to-Red Raider transfer track and started the online leadership program in spring 2024. Faculty praised her abilities to integrate military, health care, and teaching expertise into her education.

Raynie Gibbs, associate director in the School of Professional Studies, said, “She brought a wealth of knowledge to the online classroom and was an encouraging presence to all her classmates.”

When travel costs prevented Thomas from attending commencement, school authorities helped him get the regalia and assistance.

“She expressed immense gratitude, making it a straightforward choice to support such an exceptional student,” said School of Professional Studies head Courtney Lynn.

Thomas may pursue a Texas Tech University online MBA. She recently advised returning students, “If you have the opportunity to continue and finish your education, do it.”

This story is first featured on a Texas Tech University website article.

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