Dean Reyna Gómez Tippetts shares her educational and life journey from El Moralillo in Mexico to Lone Star College.

Why is higher education important? 

Higher education can be a personal goal to learn and grow as individual, but more often, it is important to grow as an employee and citizen. Education opens people’s minds, and the more we learn, the more we explore and understand.

What was early life like for you in Mexico?

Growing up in El Moralillo, Veracruz and seeing other children with things I could not even dream about was confusing; however, it never discouraged me.

My house was a little shack with walls made of cardboard, pieces of metal and scrap wood. On rainy days, the rain would come through the ceiling and I would have to sleep on the edge of my bed to stay dry.

I remember being a little girl and going to sleep hungry because there was no food. For lunch, my mom would send me to ask the neighbors if they wanted me to buy fresh tortillas from the store in exchange for a few coins. I would use that money to buy some for my family. My mom and I would walk for miles to the town dump to pick through the produce trash for the vegetables and fruits we could eat.

What were your educational experiences in Mexico?

I did not have the support for education at home, but from a very early age school became my passion. School was my way to escape all the chaos at home. I dreamed in a way that I could not do at home.

I excelled in all aspects in school because of the support my extraordinary teacher, Ms. Conchita. I remember she bought me a school uniform when I earned first place for my GPA level in the third grade. Her support motivated me to compete at state, where I obtained fifth place.

In my junior years, I engaged in many school activities (artistic, cultural and academic) I could because it was my ticket to get away from my troubled home. I participated in many competitions while working in the morning and weekends. My favorite were math events because I liked the subject and found that no matter how you solve the problem the solution will always be the same, something I wished my life was that way.

I graduated from junior high school with honors but did not receive a scholarship. Since that was the last grade where school was free, I moved to Tampico, Tamaulipas to work and attend a technical high school (P-TECH program.

Making my way through technical school was a real challenge. I walked for miles to go to my work at 5 a.m. and few more to get to class at 2 p.m. every day. When I left school at 10 p.m., I walked home and usually made it around 11:30 p.m. or midnight. The shortest path took me through the area of the city where all the bars, prostitution, drugs and alcohol took place. I remember walking as fast as I could, holding my books, and praying to God to let me make it home.

My friends at school would bring me lunch because they knew I did not have anything to eat that day; some of them would ask me to tutor them and pay me for it, so that I could have some money for my needs. My instructors let me use their books and school supplies.

I graduated in the top 10 of my class and had saved financially to go to a university, but my mother was sick and needed my help, so I moved to Ebano, Mexico.

Why did you move to the United States, and how was it different from your life in Mexico?

In the United States, the opportunities are the same for everyone who wants to take a chance, regardless of their background.

In late 1997, I met my husband in Mexico, and immigrated the U.S. in spring 1998. My husband was widowed and had two gorgeous boys, a two-and five-year-old. The children did not speak Spanish and I didn’t speak English! A year later, I had a baby girl to complete our family.

Now I was the mother of three…those were the days! But, after all those wonderful experiences, my need for education and a professional life was still there. Although now it was scarier than ever before. I had to learn a new language and start again in a foreign country. No one had a clue who I was or what I could do; it was a bit intimidating.

Coming to the U.S. was magical! I never had a refrigerator and ice was a commodity. I lived in a mobile home, which was the most luxurious place I could ever dream to live! I truly have an appreciation for everything I have here. It was eye-opening to see poor people getting help, because where I come from, there was no help. 

In 2001, I became a part-time housekeeper at LSC-North Harris (known then as North Harris College). I tried to get other jobs, but because of the language barrier, that was all I could do.

How did Lone Star College impact you as a student?

I was an employee before becoming a student. I was mesmerized while cleaning, walking the hallways and watching the students and faculty interact in the classroom. I wanted to be there too. 

My first supervisor was amazing. She would take children books and try to teach those who wanted to learn some English. She inspired me because she always promoted education among the custodians.

Why did you decide to pursue a career in higher education?

As a child, I wanted to attend a university and become a professor. However, as a teenager, I wanted to be an accountant.

I was motivated to learn about higher education when I made mistakes in trying to enroll at LSC. For example, I earned an AAS degree when I needed an AS to transfer. Also, I wanted to learn about higher education because I did not know how to help my children with their university journey.  

Which LSC campuses have you worked at, and in which positions?

I started at LSC-North Harris (then named North Harris College) in 2001 as a part-time custodian and became full-time in 2002.

In 2004, I was hired as the lead custodian at LSC-Montgomery. In 2006, I worked in the police department as a staff assistant. I earned a dispatcher license in 2011 and worked at various campuses.

In 2012, I returned to LSC-North Harris to take on a staff position in the Math and Natural Science department and in 2014, I served as their division operations specialist. In 2018, I joined the Advising Department as an academic advisor, became the lead advisor in 2020 and the interim advising director in 2021. I was named director of advising in 2022 before taking on position of Dean at LSC-East Aldine Center.   

What motivated you to dream and achieve more?

I enjoyed going home knowing I gave it my all and that I did everything I could. There were so many people who helped me, which I feel is my duty to help others.

I also believe in learning. Every day, there is always something new to learn, change is always happening, and we must learn to adapt. 

Even when things do not go my way, I try to focus on the good. Many times, we are so frustrated about what we want, that we forget how blessed we are with what we have.

What would you say to people who are where you started? How do you inspire or encourage them to go after their dreams?

Our circumstances do not dictate our future; we do. We have the power to inspire and help others by being kind and trying our best to help them.

Education is the biggest and most secure investment we can do because no one can take it away from us. 

I know life is not always easy. It takes perseverance to work, go to school and raise family simultaneously, but keep moving forward; the effort is worth it. Sometimes we must take a break, but it is very important that we get up the next day and continue working and moving forward. Life is made of choices, and I hope others make the best choices they can.