On Friday, Ronda Knight will graduate from Tyler Junior College with associate degrees in psychology and sociology.
The following Monday, she will begin TJC’s 16-month Associate Degree Nursing program.
She works full time while maintaining a near-perfect GPA.
She’s a mom of eight kids, ages 18 to 29.
She gets up at 3:30 every morning and drives a school bus, which she’s done for 17 years.
She has a golden lasso and rides around in an invisible jet. Not really, but the Wonder Woman comparison certainly applies here.
“I don’t require a lot of sleep,” she laughs.
Knight’s TJC story began in 2022 when, at age 46, she decided it was time to go back to school.
“One of my coworkers at Lindale High School was about to graduate from TJC, and she convinced me to just go for it,” she said. “I said, ‘OK, walk me through the process and help me apply,’ and she did. That was it.”
She hasn’t slowed down since.
“I originally chose TJC because it was close to home and offered the courses I needed — but I stayed because I found a place where I was accepted and feel at home,” she said.
In addition to her TJC degrees, she is also two credits from earning her Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences from UT Tyler and is applying to their Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.
She chose the healthcare track for personal reasons.
“In 2021, my husband was in an accident at work and had a traumatic brain injury and was in a coma for several weeks, plus my daughter was in a high-risk pregnancy at the same time,” she said. “It was a lot, and there was this group of nurses who helped my husband and also helped me walk that path. That was what made me decide to go back to school.”
She also credits a posse of TJC women who have been her mentors and encouragers: Kim Chastain, biology lab specialist; Gigi Delk, professor and Phi Theta Kappa sponsor; Nancy Carter, professor and Phi Theta Kappa sponsor; Kassie Garcia, processing analyst; Marie Davis, office coordinator and Phi Theta Kappa sponsor; and Dr. Deb Kelley, psychology and sociology professor.
“This group of ladies keeps me going,” she said. “If it had not been for them, I would not still be here and thriving in the way that I am.”
“Thriving” seems like an understatement. “Conquering” might be a better word choice.
In addition to her studies, Knight is also active in TJC’s Alpha Omicron Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), serving as chapter president and is the incoming district vice president for the Texas Region. She has participated in numerous community service events and volunteers in the student resource center on campus.
“I also want to do sign language interpreting because I think that would help with being a nurse,” she said.
Eventually, she plans to earn doctorates in psychology and nursing — and maybe be a professor.
“I’ve thought about coming back here to teach someday,” she said. “To anyone thinking about going back to school, I would just say to do it. If you have questions, don’t be afraid to reach out to your professors or advisors because they are here to help. Most of all, get involved on campus. This is a great place, and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.”