LaHonda Boyce, Business Manager for the Department of Physics and Astronomy, recently received the Chancellor’s Award of Excellence – one of the 2025 Texas Tech University Distinguished Staff Awards.  

The Chancellor’s Award of Excellence honors staff members with five or more years of service who exemplify the very best of Texas Tech. Recipients of this prestigious award demonstrate exceptional commitment to the university’s mission through exemplary service, leadership, and innovation. They strengthen their departments by improving productivity and efficiency, inspiring colleagues to excel, and fostering pride in the Red Raider community. Dedicated, reliable, and service-oriented, honorees embody creativity, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to Texas Tech.

When you meet LaHonda Boyce, one of the first things you notice is her immense sense of pride to be a Red Raider. As a lifelong Lubbock resident, Boyce’s journey is one marked by resilience, determination, and a deep commitment to Texas Tech University, where she has built a career in the Department of Physics since the early 2000s.

“I’m a Lubbockite. I’ve been here my whole life,” Boyce said. That strong sense of place has been an anchor through her many roles in life, from the start of her career as an administrative assistant, to earning her undergraduate degree, to returning and eventually becoming business manager.

Boyce first came to Texas Tech in the early 2000s and was quickly bitten by what she calls “the education bug.” What began as a role in physics quickly became more than just a job. It was an opportunity to be part of something larger, supporting students and faculty while carving out her own path.

Boyce’s story has not been without challenges, but she has faced each one with quiet determination. “I was a single mom for a little bit and decided, yeah, I can handle this,” she said. That strength, paired with her compassion, has carried her through both personal and professional milestones.

After stepping away for a time, Boyce returned to the Department of Physics as an academic advisor, where she found that working with students was her true calling.

Her role went far beyond course schedules and degree plans. Boyce recognized that college is about more than the classroom and more about developing the whole person. To better serve her students, she streamlined the department’s record-keeping system, making it easier to track their progress and created a notes section that enabled her and her advising colleagues to keep track of how students were really doing inside and outside of the classroom.

“I felt it was important to focus on the things outside of the classroom, too,” she explained. “If a student was struggling, I wanted to know. If they were excelling, I wanted to celebrate that. The goal was always to make sure they felt supported.”

For Boyce, advising was never just a paperwork process. It was a chance to build relationships and help students see their own potential. She believed every detail mattered, from a note about a tough semester to encouragement about a dream beyond graduation. That human connection, she says, is what truly changes lives.

Reflecting on her time at Texas Tech, Boyce shared a sentiment from President Lawrence Schovanec that deeply resonated with her: ‘Where you come from should never limit how far you go.’ She said that over the years, her journey at Texas Tech has been defined by growth, both professionally and personally. The community she has built, the opportunities to contribute within her department, across campus, and in the broader Lubbock community, and the people with whom she serves have made her work life full and meaningful.

One story in particular that Boyce shared highlights her impact. In 2011, as an academic advisor, she worked with a bright student who faced tremendous personal struggles that led him to withdraw from classes multiple times. Despite setbacks, Boyce never gave up on encouraging him, listening when he was at his lowest, and connecting him with mental health resources when he confided he was ready to give up not only on school but on life itself. Through consistent support and tough conversations, Boyce remained a steady presence.  
Boyce said that several years later, in 2020, the student returned, excelled in his studies, and today he is in graduate school at Louisiana State University, happily married and thriving. The student even sent her a handmade piece of pottery to symbolize his gratitude, which has become a memento Boyce treasures and serves as a reminder of why she does the work she does.

“That story will always stay with me,” Boyce said. “It reminded me why this work matters so much. Sometimes students just need someone to believe in them long enough until they can believe in themselves. To know I played even a small role in his journey is one of the greatest rewards of my career.”

When Boyce learned she was being recognized with the Chancellor’s Award of Excellence,  she was moved.  

“I’m truly humbled,” she said. “Of all years to get it, when Dr. Tedd L. Mitchell is leaving, really means a lot to me.”

Department of Physics and Astronomy Professor and Chair Sung-won Lee, PhD, said Debra has been doing a truly outstanding job for many years.  

“She takes her job very seriously and strives to treat others with respect and sees our faculty, staff, and students as family,” Dr. Lee said. “Texas Tech has many office staff, but we are truly fortunate to have LaHonda as a part of our department. She is also an asset to the College of Arts & Sciences and Texas Tech University. Debra is highly deserving of this recognition!”

For Boyce, Texas Tech is more than an employer; it’s a place that has shaped her story and allowed her to leave her mark. And in turn, she has become an essential part of the Red Raider community, contributing her time, energy, and heart to the people around her.

"Texas Tech gave me the chance to grow,” Boyce said. “I’ve been able to recognize my own value and to truly be part of something bigger than myself.”