A Diamond in a Rhinestone World
/The challenges of Amber Adams’ 12-year journey to earn her bachelor’s degree made her shine a bit brighter
By Vicki Melde
For some, pursuing higher education is almost a given … things just seem to fall into place. But for many, the dream of earning a college degree seems out of reach and barriers preclude making the dream a reality. Despite a keen mind and plenty of determination and drive, the puzzle pieces just don’t fall into place. This was certainly the case for Amber Adams – that is until she was introduced to a degree program at Texas A&M University-Texarkana that is designed for those whose path to earning a higher education credential has been filled with twists and turns.
In 2013, Amber won the Walker County Fair Country Music Star contest. Although she didn’t even make it to the first round the previous year, she came back the next year and won the entire challenge ... proof to never give up on your goals.
Amber grew up in Dickinson, Texas – a neighboring town of Galveston – with two siblings: her twin sister, Summer, and younger sister, Rebecca. Growing up near the coast, they went to the beach a lot and surfed. “Most summers were spent with my grandparents who lived outside of Huntsville,” Amber recalled. “Life was good … dirt roads, tire swings, just easy living and love.”
Quite the extrovert, it is no surprise that Amber was involved in many activities while in high school – volleyball, tennis, marching band, summer musicals, and singing gigs. “For as long as I can remember, music has been a big part of my life, and it’s something I really enjoy,” Amber shared. “I also enjoyed learning and was in all AP (Advanced Placement) classes, but I was involved in a lot!” She participated in symphonic choir, symphonic band, honor society, PALS, and she started working at age 16.
Country and western music will always have a special place in Amber’s heart. She admits that she grew up thinking that her great-grandmother was Kitty Wells. This photo was taken during a gig outside of Houston in 2016.
After graduating high school in 2008, Amber and Summer started their first semester at a junior college while working full-time. After one semester, they were not able to continue and took a year off but continued to work. “Summer and I worked at Kroger together,” she added. “That was fun!
“We went back to college in spring 2010,” Amber explained. “Summer chose to get her associate’s degree in General Studies and I chose an associate’s degree in Music. During that semester, we lost our father. When reflecting on those times, it’s mostly a blur – but, somehow, we managed to go to class, work full-time, pay bills, and finally finished in fall 2011. My associate degree took longer to obtain due to life, lack of money, and loss. I should have known that was foreshadowing of what was to come.”
While attending a ribbon cutting ceremony, Amber sported some silly glasses only to realize later that it was fitting to how she accepts the word “no” ... with a smile. She says that the word “no” is a part of life’s journey so she throws some bling on it, and rolls with it.
While working as an administrative assistant for MRC (Methodist Retirement Communities) Creekside in Huntsville, Amber was offered a promotion into sales and marketing … in Texarkana. “I was excited for the opportunity but had no clue where Texarkana was,” she admitted. “I moved within 30 days of the offer – just me, my cat, and my dog. I had no family or friends in Texarkana, but was excited for the new adventure.”
At first, Amber wasn’t sure she’d made a wise decision moving to Texarkana but she pushed through and became acclimated. When she moved, she was still actively pursuing her degree. “In 2019, I enrolled in college at Texas A&M University-Texarkana like I had done so many times before,” she shared. “I was studying Mass Communications and quickly came to the realization that, as a full-time worker, it was going to take forever to graduate. Dr. Drew Morton mentioned the BAAS (Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences) program to me, and I was intrigued, so I made an appointment to meet with Dr. Lisa Myers, BAAS program director.
Amber believed that decorating her graduation cap with a portrait of Dolly Parton was fitting to her and her journey: “It’s hard to be a diamond in a rhinestone world.
“I was nervous to meet Dr. Myers because BAAS was a new idea for me,” Amber continued. “Like many times before, I was preparing to hear some variation of no. Instead, after meeting with her, Dr. Myers looked at all the earned credits I had accumulated, discussed my past work experience, and said, ‘You could be finished in a year and a half.’ I immediately started crying tears of joy!”
What attracted Amber to the BAAS program was that it was intended for full-time workers as the courses were in the evening and online. The program takes school credits and life experiences and applies them toward earning a degree. Amber added, “Life experiences have taught me more than a textbook or lecture ever could, and that’s what makes BAAS amazing!”
As Dr. Myers stated, Amber indeed finished in a year and a half – graduating with the class of 2020 – all while working full-time in sales and marketing with MRC Cornerstone. “My experience in the BAAS program was wonderful,” Amber stated proudly. “I have always enjoyed learning and going to class. More so in the BAAS program because I was finally with students who had similar journeys and were serious about finishing. And, from day one, the faculty was so supportive, welcoming, and genuinely caring. I have dealt with several colleges along my journey as I moved and traveled for work, and A&M-Texarkana surpasses them all!”
Amber graduated from Texas A&M University-Texarkana in 2020 but, due to COVID, she actually walked in 2021.
Life for Amber definitely changed for the better when she enrolled at A&M-Texarkana. She now works as director of partner development with the Texarkana Chamber of Commerce. “I actively create relationships with business owners and staff, enhance retention of members, oversee the Chamber Ambassador group, and support the Greater Texarkana Young Professionals (GTYP).
“One of the greatest things about my job is it allows me to work with people from all walks of life,” Amber noted. “Plus, I get to inform people every day about the vision we have for the great city of Texarkana. Not only do I get a front row seat to the great things that are happening but, most importantly, what is to come!”
Amber’s outgoing and entertaining nature serve her well in her role with the Chamber. She loves new adventures, new challenges, and meeting new people. She describes herself as ‘futuristic.’ “For the longest time, I thought I was a day dreamer until CliftonStrengths provided me a better understanding of myself,” Amber admitted. “The future excites me, and I can see what it could be and can often get others to believe in it, too.”
One might wonder what enabled Amber to remain positive and stay the course of pursuing her degree despite encountering many obstacles. She was quick to credit the example her father provided her in the way he lived his life. “Dad was the life of the party and easy going. He worked hard, was very social, and never failed to celebrate the day. When he became ill, his attitude did not change. He laughed, he danced, and he was more concerned about me and my day than himself. A month before he passed, he said the doctors were confused by how he was in such good spirits given his diagnoses. He simply replied, ‘It’s hard to lay a bull down, doc.’ His response stuck with me and has given me the strength and determination I needed so many times in life. No matter how tough life gets, no matter how many bumps in the road, you can’t lay a bull down. The battle in life’s arena is always worth the fight.”
No doubt, Amber “fought” to earn her college degree. “My college journey took longer than I would have liked and didn’t include the typical college experiences. There were no tailgates, no dorm life, no spring breaks, or freaking out during finals. Sometimes I regret that I didn’t have those experiences, but I was given so much more.
“In fact, I was given everything I asked and prayed for.”