05-05-2025
East Texas mom of 8 pursues healthcare track at TJC after nurses help save her husband's life
TYLER, Texas (KETK)– An East Texas mom of eight and a beloved school bus driver will be earning her associate's degree at Tyler Junior College (TJC) on Friday after she watched nurses help save her husband, who experienced a traumatic brain injury and was in a coma for several weeks.
According to TJC, Ronda Knight will graduate from TJC with an associate's degree in psychology and sociology and will begin TJC's 16-month associate degree nursing program the following week on April 12.
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The junior college said Knight works full time as a school bus driver at Lindale ISD, waking up at 3:30 a.m. each morning for 17 years, and is a mom of eight kids, ages 18 to 29, but still maintains a near-perfect GPA.
Knight's TJC story started in 2022 when she decided to go back to school at 46-years-old and hasn't slowed down since. 'One of my co-workers at Lindale High School was about to graduate from TJC, and she convinced me to just go for it,' Knight said. 'I said, 'Okay, walk me through the process and help me apply,' and she did. That was it.'
'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,' Knight said.
College officials said that in addition to Knight's TJC degrees, she also has 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.
Knight explained that 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.'
Knight also credits a group of six TJC women who have been mentors and encouraged her through college:
Biology Lab Specialist, Kim Chastain
Professor and Phi Theta Kappa Sponsor, Gigi Delk
Professor and Phi Theta Kappa Sponsor, Nancy Carter
Processing Analyst, Kassie Garcia
Office Coordinator and Phi Theta Kappa Sponsor, Marie Davis
Psychology and Sociology Professor, Dr. Deb Kelley
'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.'
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Knight is also an active member of 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. The junior college said she has also been involved with numerous community service events and volunteers at the student resource center on campus.
Knight explains that eventually she wants to earn a doctorate in psychology and nursing, maybe even become a professor at TJC.
'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.'
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