At the Regional Sites

Retired Marine Earns Degree with TTU at Collin

By Jessica Thomas, Section Manager

After high school Vincent Adame joined the United States Marine Corp. Having been deployed to Iraq twice, he decided to retire in 2015. Shortly after, Vincent enrolled with our partner institution, Collin College, where he earned an associate degree in science in 2018. Now a TTU at Collin student, he will graduate in December.

Like many students, this Fall 2020 graduate from Texas Tech University at Collin, worked hard to tailor the University Studies Program degree to suit his life.

Living in McKinney, Vincent not only chose TTU at Collin due to its convenient location but also because it offered flexible schedules with a degree plan that was the best fit for him.

"I chose TTU Collin because it allowed me to attend a major university without picking up and moving," he said. "As a non-traditional student, this was ideal because my life is already established here."

While Vincent credits the ability to attend the college of his choice to his military benefits, he honors his greatest supporters.

"My parents encouraged my goals and gave me the opportunity to achieve them," he said. "Losing both of them to cancer during my college career rocked me down to my core."

With all the uncertainty of the pandemic and the challenges of life, Vincent has learned that he is more capable than what he gave himself credit for. On this journey, Vincent also praises his wife for her patience and encouragement to triumph over adversity.

"While I would have liked more hybrid courses, the online learning environment has been consistent. It's business as usual," he said.

The Texas Tech University Studies Program is not a one-size-fits-all degree program. Vincent was able to choose distinct areas of concentrations, one of them being human resources. Vincent plans to use this degree by going into the human resources field.

"My concentration has given me the tools and knowledge necessary to move forward into my career field and be successful."

For others considering transferring to Texas Tech, Vincent has some advice.

"If you are considering University Studies, do your research and pick concentrations that are right for you," he explained. "The regional sites of Texas Tech make a TTU degree obtainable!"