Growth Mindset: How a Graduate Student's Resilience Paid Off Again and Again

Abba Keren Koffi is curious. The UNT Dallas graduate student, who will earn her MBA in December 2025, loves to learn. So, it’s no surprise that Koffi thrived when she came to the United States for the first time in 2015 – and to UNT Dallas in 2018.

“My mother played the DV lottery,” said Koffi, referring to a U.S. State Department  program that provided visas to people from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the U.S. Winning the lottery includes an opportunity to apply for permanent residency (a green card) and can allow immigrants to and their families to live and work here legally.

For Koffi, the last decade has brought highs and lows – opportunities and obstacles. “There’s a sense of cultural grief that cuts deep,” said Koffi, referring to leaving her homeland. “You leave your sense of security and safety. You become a baby again.”

Despite the difficulties of living in a new country, learning a new language and adjusting to a new culture, Koffi persevered. She gained strength from her faith, her mother and a lesson learned in school. “I had a class where I learned about growth mindset,” Koffi said, referring to being flexible instead of fixed in your way of thinking and behaving.

“As a first-generation student from an immigrant family, she has navigated the challenges of higher education with exceptional resilience,” said Dr. Cathy Scott, Koffi’s professor in her Accounting for Managers course. “Her educational success reflect her intellect and discipline. Her journey reflect a deep sense of perseverance and responsibility.”

Koffi is the definition of a Trailblazer, so it is fitting she chose UNT Dallas. She was 19 years old when she, her mother, father and three brothers arrived in the U.S. from their native Côte d’Ivoire, also known as Ivory Coast, a country in West Africa. “I had to learn English (her native language is French) and pass the TSIA,” Koffi said, referring to the Texas Success Initiative Assessment, a college readiness exam required by the state.

Although Koffi attended college in Ivory Coast, her credits did not transfer here. Back home, she studied math, physics and science at a college chosen by the government, based on her high school test scores. When she enrolled at Dallas College to begin her American education, she chose accounting as her career path instead. “I did it to survive, but later I fell in love with accounting,” said Koffi.

The U.S. Department of Education recently reclassified many graduate degrees, including accounting, for student loan purposes. The change means graduate accounting degrees are no longer considered “professional” by the federal government. Koffi’s reaction was straightforward and honest. “It does not affect the field in any way,” she said. “’Non-professional degree’ can sound dismissive, but in reality, it’s just a classification issue, not a judgment of value. Accountants know how valuable they are to businesses.”

After receiving her associate’s degree, Koffi transferred to UNT Dallas. While going to school, she always held two full-time jobs. Among them: working at Target, tutoring younger students, going door-to-door selling Amway products, braiding hair. “Immigrants put pressure on themselves,” she noted. “You can’t make mistakes. And there’s a sense of survival, you need to pay bills.”

Koffi has always paid for college herself – at community college, as an undergraduate at UNT Dallas, and now as a graduate student. She sees education not only as personal advancement, but as a path to service and representation of her family and community.

“I missed a lot,” Koffi said of her time as an undergraduate student while pursuing her bachelor’s degree in business administration at UNT Dallas. “No friends, no internships, just classes and work,” she recalled. Despite the grind, Koffi appreciated the differences between her college in Ivory Coast and UNT Dallas. “People are more friendly, more helpful,” she said. “Professors are approachable, they want me to succeed.”

During her first year at UNT Dallas, Koffi was forced to deal with another challenge. Her father learned he had Stage 4 cancer. “He was diagnosed and put in hospice care.” Koffi recalled. “He was seemingly healthy, working at Walmart. He never showed he was sick, but we could see he was losing weight.”

Despite the sudden loss of her dad, Koffi pushed ahead, comforting her mother and three brothers while forging ahead toward her undergraduate degree. She thanks School of Business faculty members Dr. Cathy Scott, Dr. Pam Thompson and Mark Tregor for their support during what Koffi calls “a pivotal time” in her life. “As a thank you to them, I endeavor to continually give back to the UNTD community,” Koffi said.

After graduating in 2020, Koffi worked for a local nonprofit, then was hired by Safe Harbor Marinas, a global boating and vessel service network headquartered in Dallas. It is the largest marina and superyacht servicing business in the U.S. Koffi serves as Finance & Accounting Manager. “I present accurate information for decision-makers,” she said.

Safe Harbor Marinas is growing as it acquires more waterfront real estate all over the world. “I like to understand the company on bigger scale,” Koffi said, noting she hopes to grow along with the business.

To support her professional goals, Koffi returned to UNT Dallas in 2024 seeking a master’s degree in business (MBA) with a concentration in strategic management. She completed classes in July 2025 and will cross the Commencement stage to receive her diploma on Dec. 16 at the Texas Trust CU Theatre. She will also participate in the Graduate School hooding ceremony on Dec. 12.

In this chapter of her UNT Dallas experience, Koffi is being sure to stay active and connected to campus, fulfilling her promise to give back. She provided career advice to students during a School of Business alumni event this semester and assists members of the Accounting and Finance Society, a campus organization that didn’t exist when she was an undergrad. “I help students understand accounting and provide mentorship,” Koffi said.

She also currently sits on the board of two nonprofits, including the Dallas-Fort Worth Alliance of Black Accountants. Its goal is to advance the careers of minority business professionals through education, support and networking opportunities and increase visibility within the wider business world.

“What distinguishes Abba most is her sense of purpose. She embodies UNT Dallas’ transformational mission,” Dr. Scott said. “Her journey demonstrates grit. Her leadership reflects character. Her voice will inspire others to step confidently into the next chapter.”

As a Trailblazer, Koffi has a keen sense of adventure. Just look at the past decade: new country, new culture, new language, new schools, new career, and soon, a new degree. What could be next? Does she want to travel to an exotic international destination where Safe Harbor Marinas owns oceanfront property? “I could maybe live outside the U.S. again,” Koffi said with a smile. “I’ve done it before, I can do it again.”

Wherever she goes and whatever she does, Koffi will take her UNT Dallas experience with her. “My values won’t change,” she said. “I will be the same person just in a different capacity. Always using my analytical skills and always involved in my community.”