Wide Acceptance of TTU K-12 Diploma Opens Doors to Success for 2004 Grad

By Leslie Cranford, Media Relations Coordinator

March 8, 2018

Christopher Chapman is earning his Doctorate of Pharmacy degree at Idaho State University, by way of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the Texas cities of Houston and Midland — and TTU K-12.

Christopher, who was born in Saudi Arabia, was in eighth grade in 1999 when his father's job with Texaco moved the family from Houston to Kuwait. His parents, Rebecca and Gary, wanted an American school curriculum for him; they found the answer in TTU K-12. Christopher completed about three years of schoolwork while living in Kuwait.

During the late 1990s and early 2000s when he was taking courses, technology had not quite caught up with desire.

"The biggest challenge of studying from Kuwait was that we were so far away from Lubbock," he said. "Most assignments were done on paper via snail mail. It would take three weeks for assignments to go one way. Either classes would take forever to complete or I would be halfway through a class before I would get feedback. Now with more electronic options, online learning is much more streamlined."

Christopher believes the process of completing courses via snail mail taught him the persistence and other skills he's used to succeed on the path to earning his Pharm.D.

"We lived quite a distance from the city, and my tests were proctored at the training facility for the international oil company for which my father worked. Because I was in the facility frequently, I got to interact with training professionals of several different nationalities. For my physical education requirement, there were no sports teams or other accommodations available. I kept a record of my workout schedule, planned and verified by the international staff at the company workout room, which was usually only open to adults."

After three years in Kuwait, the Chapmans moved to Midland, Texas — just two hours from Texas Tech University and TTU K-12 in Lubbock. Christopher continued his high school work through TTU K-12.

Rebecca explained that as an oil family, they moved around frequently, but moving to Midland was serendipitous.

"We lived in Houston for a total of 17 years, but chronologically, it was Los Angeles, Saudi, New York, Houston, Kuwait, Midland, Houston," she said. "When we returned to America from Kuwait, and landed in Midland, it was providential that Christopher was able to take his state tests for high school there in Lubbock."

Christopher says his graduation from TTU K-12 definitely took persistence, but the experience has served him well.

"The structure of the program was good preparation for the college courses I completed after leaving TTU K-12. The format of a proctored test required me to refine my test taking skills. I also learned to communicate clearly with teachers, especially from the distance at which I found myself!"

Rebecca explained the advantage of the TTU K-12 program is that it is state-certified.

"Throughout his employment and university application processes, his TTU high school diploma was always recognized and accepted," she said.

Christopher says he didn't always want to be a pharmacist.

"When I first started college I was planning on going into game design; but, I had conversations with several adults with whom I worked and whose opinions I respected," he said. "They suggested that I take some interest and aptitude surveys, which indicated I would probably be happier in a medical field. I'm the kid who could hardly stand to get my hands messy breaking an egg, so I knew an MD was out! Pharmacy requires a lot of the same preparation as an MD. It offers stability and a good work/life balance."

He earned his pharmacy technician certification/associate's degree from Lone Star Community College in Houston and worked in the Kingwood Medical Center as a tech for three years before moving to Idaho. Christopher earned his bachelor's degree in biology at Brigham Young University-Idaho in 2016.

"I really enjoyed working in a hospital setting. That experience has provided an invaluable perspective as I have gone forward with my advanced training. I would definitely enjoy working in a hospital. With a Pharm.D. there are several additional areas of interest I could pursue, such as clinical and compounding pharmacy."

Through his journey to success, Christopher never forgets those first steps as an eighth-grader in Kuwait.

"My diploma has been recognized by colleges, universities and employers. Having that certification is a bit of an insurance policy."