"It's One of the Best Things I've Ever Done" Says 51-Year-Old Graduate

Becoming a teen mother stalled Yolanda Lewis’s educational journey. Becoming a grandmother helped get it restarted, proving it’s never too late to pursue your dreams. “Education doesn’t have an age limit,” Lewis said.

At 51, Lewis will cross the UNT Dallas Commencement stage on May 13, 2025 – joined by her School of Business classmates. It will be the culmination of her journey to a college degree and a celebration of their common achievements.

But Lewis is not a common student. “I’m old enough to be their mother,” she said of her peers. Aside from that, though, her age has been an asset, not a liability. “I learn from them; they learn from me. We encourage each other.”

Much of the support Lewis received over the past four years came through the Trailblazer Elite (TBE) Program, which offers specialized resources for students who are the first in their family to go to college. “It feels like family,” said Lewis. “We cheer each other on.”

UNT Dallas launched TBE in 2019 as a way to nurture and mentor first generation college students. More than two-thirds of the university’s students are first-gen. “We understand the unique challenges they face. I was a first generation student who grew up here in Oak Cliff,” said Dr. Sabrina Hodge, Executive Director of Trailblazer Elite and the Dr. Emmett J. Conrad Leadership Program. “Our guidance, mentoring, leadership training and events keep them engaged. Within each student lies limitless possibility. Our programs cultivate the self-assurance needed to pursue even the most ambitious dreams."

Sometimes the path to achieving those dreams hits an obstacle. In her junior year, Lewis had to be hospitalized because of a diabetic episode. With the help of Dr. Hodge and TBE, accommodations were made and professors allowed her to complete all of the assignments she missed with no impact on her grades. When the semester ended, Lewis made the Dean's List. It was proof that the support and understanding provided by the university can make a crucial difference for students, especially those facing unexpected challenges. 

Lewis overcome any challenge that stood in her way. She was inspired by her husband Joe, their three children, Keaira, Lakendrick, and Jasmine, and grandson, Antonio, who will soon be ready for college himself. “I want to show them what’s available for them,” she said, referring to the doors that open when an individual earns their college degree. And the many academic options available to UNT Dallas students to ensure they are career-ready when they graduate. “With AI, you need more than a high school diploma can give,” said Lewis.

After all, Lewis wasn’t sure she would ever attain hers. As the mother of three children born in four years, Lewis spent her late teens and 20s in full-time parent mode. Fortunately, she had help from her parents. When her kids grew up and lived on their own, Lewis held various jobs, including at Amazon. Going back to school was always in the back of her mind.

When COVID-19 spread across the U.S. in 2020, many businesses and workers suffered. But for Lewis, the pandemic became an opportunity. “We were homeschooling my grandchild,” she explained. “So, I decided to use the extra time to get my high school diploma.” Lewis took online classes at Penn Foster and received her diploma in 2021.

Then, there was no stopping her. “It felt great. I was proud of myself,” Lewis said. She was motivated to take the next step. “I wanted to go to college all my life, I looked around online and enrolled at UNT Dallas.” At first, she chose Biology as a major, but after her first semester, she pivoted to Supply Chain and Marketing Management. Lewis remembered her positive experience at Amazon and wanted to climb higher, but she needed a college degree. Soon, she was on that path.

“At first, I had a fear of failing,” Lewis recalled. “And a fear of not belonging. Will I really fit in?” Those fears quickly faded as students, faculty and staff embraced her. “It’s about mutual respect,” she said.

When one of her original mentors left the university, Lewis asked Dr. Curtis McDowell, a lecturer in the Department of History and Political Science, to be her new mentor. She had taken Dr. McDowell’s American Government course and admired him. “He leads me in the right direction,” Lewis said. The advice and guidance she received – about academics and life – symbolizes UNT Dallas’ culture and its mission to empower students, transform lives and strengthen communities. “The vibe, the kindness, the generosity, is a reason to come to UNT Dallas,” she said.

As a member of the esteemed Dr. Emmett J. Conrad Leadership Program, managed by UNT Dallas, Lewis gained practical, hands-on experience through a paid internship at SSC Services for Education and Parker University in Dallas. She contributed to organizing and managing warehouse inventory, while leveling up certain skills. "They taught me how to be more detail-oriented," Lewis said. It built on her existing organizational strengths. 

Lewis is ready to show employers the knowledge and skills attained through her Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain and Marketing Management. She is searching for a role in logistics, inventory, and supply chain operations. It is a growing field, driven, in part, by Texas’ growing economy and the International Inland Port of Dallas, a major hub for trade and transportation of goods.

With graduation now in sight, Lewis is grateful for the support of the university and her children. “They’d proud of me,” she said. Lewis recently brought her 14-year-old grandson to the Student Leadership and Success end-of-the-year celebration. “He’s already asking about UNT Dallas – he wants to go here.” Lewis loves the idea.

For others considering college, whether fresh out of high school or later in life, Lewis has advice. “Don’t be afraid. Don’t let fear keep you from coming,” she said. “It’s one of the best things I’ve ever done.”