¸£Àû¼§

trichell spikes

Hi! My name is Trichell, but I go by Princess, so, Princess Spikes. I began my academic journey at ¸£Àû¼§ as a Communication Studies scholar. After earning my master’s degree, I served as an adjunct instructor in the Speech Department at Lone Star College. I am currently a Graduate Assistant and Lab Manager while pursuing my PhD at Louisiana State University, with an emphasis in interpersonal communication.

It was my first communications class at ¸£Àû¼§ that helped me decide what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. While it was just an introductory speech course, I realized just how much I enjoyed learning about communications topics. Like many freshmen entering a new collegiate space, I had no clue what I really wanted my major to be. The more communications courses I took, the more I began to realize the joy it brought me to learn how to navigate life by connecting with others and understanding how they were trying to connect with me. I began using the knowledge that I gained to improve my relationships with friends and family members. Before I knew it, I had graduated, and I still wanted to learn more.

I honestly didn’t think I would graduate at all. Being a first-generation college student navigating a poverty-stricken life and being a caretaker to my younger sister wasn’t easy. I didn’t think I was smart enough or even good enough to continue my education. It was Dr. Frances Brandau and Dr. Terry Thibodeaux that pushed me to continue my education. I can attribute where I am today to them. They pushed me to do better when I failed, didn’t scrutinize me when I missed the mark, and provided me the feedback I needed -not just pass - but excel.  They allowed me to see the impact professors can make on people who might be struggling with the thought of failure and taught me how to push past life’s adversities. They put it in my head as a master’s student that I could receive my PhD if I wanted to. I’m glad their words stuck.

I didn’t make the decision to follow in their footsteps right away. Being a communications major opened opportunities in fields outside of communications as well. For a few years I maintained food service management positions, and my employers stated my knowledge of organizational communication and interpersonal communication is what made me an appealing candidate. Ultimately, my time in management increased sales and led to greater employee satisfaction and retention. While I am no longer in food service management, I still utilize these skills to connect with new people and help others launch their own small business.

If I could do it all over again, I would tell myself, “Just lean in”. Sometimes the idea of work can be exhausting, sometimes pressure can be exhausting, sometimes life is just exhausting! But when I discovered if I just did it, I could succeed, nothing stood in my way. You can do anything you want in this life, no matter where you come from, what people say, or what your past is. Just lean in.  

tiffany venekamp

Returning to college as a non-traditional student wasn't easy, but earning my degree from ¸£Àû¼§ changed both my career and my confidence.

When I decided to go back to school in 2022, I was working as the Program Coordinator at Family Promise of Lake Houston. I knew that if the Executive Director position became available, my years of professional experience alone wouldn't be enough—I needed a degree to be seriously considered. ¸£Àû¼§ was my seventh college, and after a 15-year journey, I was determined to finish what I started.

I was promoted to Executive Director before completing my degree, which made balancing work, family, and school even more challenging. There were moments when I wanted to quit, but I had learned that progress matters more than perfection. I had to let go of the idea that every semester had to be perfect and focus on reaching the finish line.

One of the biggest reasons I succeeded was the support I found at ¸£Àû¼§. Professors like Dr. Dahlgren and Dr. Brandau encouraged me every step of the way. Dr. Brandau reminded me that her goal wasn't to make the journey harder—it was to help me graduate. That support gave me the confidence to ask for help when I needed it and keep moving forward.

As a working professional and parent, staying organized was essential. I reviewed every syllabus as soon as classes opened, planned assignments around my work schedule and my family's calendar, and intentionally managed my time. That preparation allowed me to balance competing priorities without losing sight of my goals.

Studying Communication Studies has had a direct impact on my role as Executive Director. The program strengthened my understanding of how people communicate, build relationships, and connect with others. Those skills help me work more effectively with clients, community partners, donors, and staff every day. In the nonprofit world, we often talk about "friend-raising" instead of fundraising, and ¸£Àû¼§ prepared me to build those meaningful relationships.

One of the most rewarding parts of my Bearkat experience was sharing it with my daughter, who began her freshman year at ¸£Àû¼§ during my final semester. Even as an online student, I felt connected to the university's welcoming culture, and seeing my daughter become a Bearkat made the experience even more meaningful.

My advice to other non-traditional students is simple: don't give up. You don't have to take a full course load to make progress. One class at a time is still moving forward. There is no single "right" path to earning a degree. Finishing is what matters, and every step brings you closer to your goal.