In Spite of Herself, Academic Advisor Ends up in Education

By Leslie Cranford, section manager

Even with a family influence of educators all around her, some who are teachers and others with university connections, Gabrielle Boykins never imagined she’d end up in education. She’s now finishing up her first year as an assistant academic advisor with Texas Tech K-12, marking her 21st year in the profession in some form or fashion.

“I thought I’d pursue communications, which I majored in, or maybe go into law or fashion,” Gabrielle said, chuckling at herself.

She did, in fact, earn a bachelor’s degree in communications after attending the University of Houston and finishing online through Ashford University in Iowa, but she never went in the direction of her studies.

Gabrielle was born in Wiesbaden, Germany, and also lived in Korea while her dad, Roger Boykins, was in the Army. She was about 6 years old when they returned stateside, living in Texas twice, where he finally retired from the military in Houston.

Being the middle sister of three plus having a younger brother, she has always been around kids – and tangentially, teaching and education – starting with babysitting in the neighborhoods where they lived when they were located on U.S. Army bases. For a time, her dad was a recruiter for the University of Houston’s School of Optometry, which placed Gabrielle on many college campuses – including Texas Tech – while traveling with him when she was younger. Additionally, her uncle, Bernard A. Harris is arguably one of Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center’s most famous medical school alumni – a doctor and an astronaut – who was drawn to the university for its “exceptional medical program.” And on the subject of astronauts, her mother, Brenda Boykins, works for the NASA Space Center.

Gabrielle worked in day care for about 10 years in the Houston area, eventually becoming an assistant director. She was also a paraprofessional at two different elementary schools.

By 2014 Gabrielle had reached a point in her life when it was time to explore new prospects. Her mother’s family is from Seminole, Texas, about 80 miles southwest of Lubbock, so she was already familiar with the area from visiting her aunt at various times. When an opportunity arose in Lubbock where her aunt was teaching at a Head Start program, she decided to make a move.

“Seeing my family in education and being inspired by them really motivated me to become a teacher,” she said. “I taught pre-school when I moved to Lubbock and then taught pre-kindergarten for eight years at a charter school before coming to Texas Tech K-12.”

Having worked with young children for so long, she thought working in higher education would be a welcome change. She took a chance on applying at Texas Tech K-12; it felt like the perfect fit at the right time.

As an assistant academic advisor with the school’s International Programs, Gabrielle aids in providing guidance services to students in Brazil, Colombia, Haiti and Mexico.

Having been born overseas, it’s no surprise that working with international students and the international partner schools is her favorite part of the job.

“I love meeting people from all around the world and helping get them situated with their American courses through Texas Tech K-12,” she said.

Gabrielle’s vision for the future of the school is to increase opportunities for both faculty and students to travel, saying it would be especially beneficial for international students, giving them the chance to visit here and meet their teachers, staff and classmates in person. Texas Tech K-12 has, in fact, hosted academic summer camps on campus for its Brazil partners for many years.

“I believe that travel plays a vital role in expanding our understanding of different cultures, and it’s important to build connections with international groups by experiencing their schools, meeting the faculty and staff and interacting with students,” Gabrielle added.

Having worked with students of all ages both stateside and internationally, Gabrielle has some observations and advice she’d pass along. In general, she highly recommends seeing the world and learning about other cultures and traditions. Explore and be humble.

“But also, stay curious and ask questions is the best advice I would give to students,” Gabrielle said enthusiastically. “The best learners ask questions, and I’d let them know there are never any dumb questions.

“But listen as well. Listen and take in everything. And don’t rush growing up, take it all in. There’s so much I would tell them.”