PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas – As Yolanda Lockhart-Gross looks back on her educational journey, she recounts the many turns this road has taken her. She’s been a part of the Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) staff for more than 15 years, shepherding, guiding, and serving students through the Office of Student Affairs. Now, she is about to graduate with a master’s degree in community development from PVAMU’s School of Architecture, proudly with a 3.8 GPA.
To her students, she is “Mrs. YG” – an ally and someone who understands where they are. Seeing a bit of herself in them, she encourages them to keep going even when it’s hard; her own story has been marked by determination stemming from a never give up spirit. Even when others have said she can’t, she’s said, “I can.”
Her graduation is a testament to this. It is a milestone achievement in the educational, professional, and personal journey she began as an undergraduate student and single mom. It is also a testament to what you can accomplish when you believe that you can do something, no matter what. As an undergraduate, later as an employee, and finally as a student again, she says PVAMU wasn’t just a school, but a home. In this place, educators, alumni, family, and others consistently built this belief into their work every day.
Gross and her husband, children, and grandchildren.
“As an undergrad, I was nurtured here; I was developed here,” she said. “I found out how strong and essential I am and that as long as I’m passionate about what I believe in, I can stand for something and not fall for anything. At Prairie View A&M University, I have grown and developed into the person I’ve always wanted to be.”
She graduated high school with two young children and remembers that despite the obstacles, she strongly desired to go to college, specifically PVAMU. Her mom was a “loving and supportive figure” who encouraged her not to live how others thought of her. “She always told me to follow my heart,” Mrs. Gross said. Along with other faculty and peers, they kept her going even when there were long days and periods of struggle.
Gross and her grandchildren.
“It was considered my family school,” Mrs. Gross recalled. “I grew up listening to all types of stories, and I was determined to get there. But, my high school counselors were of little help with completing paperwork. They didn’t think that I should have been thinking about college. My mother and I would sit and call relatives and the university to complete and submit documents and paperwork. A month before graduation, I received my acceptance letter. I couldn’t believe it. I was going to college.”
Gross and fellow Marching Storm band members in 1995 after a Cotton Bowl game.
Homesickness and many other factors provided plenty of challenges during her time as an undergrad and many opportunities to give up – but she didn’t. There were great moments, too. In a move she calls God’s sense of humor, she found herself in the PVAMU marching band with a community of other students to lean on. It was one of the best decisions of her life, she remembers.
“I struggled through college,” Mrs. Gross said. “I was working two jobs at times, going to band practices, working in the band office, and trying to keep up with my classes. I also had my babies here and found myself exhausted, frustrated, stressed, and overwhelmed. I barely graduated on December 12, 1998. There was no celebration or anything. I went to my room and got dressed, and went to work. After all, I now had to find somewhere to live and learn to adjust to life after college with children to raise.”
Gross in 1998 after earning a bachelor’s degree in English from PVAMU.
In March 2005, she returned to “The Hill” as an employee in a new job as a staff assistant in the Office of Finance & Administration, now known as Business Affairs. In 2007, she accepted a position in the College of Business as the administrative assistant to the dean, Dr. Munir Quddus.
In 2010, another door opened: a role as an administrative assistant to an associate vice president. What began as someone seeing in her potential and a reputation of good work has blossomed into a fulfilling career. She is instrumental in overseeing programs that add significant value to life on campus.
As a program coordinator for the Office of Special Programs, and currently the director of the Parent and Family Programs Department, Mrs. Gross has been a part of leading and developing programs like S.P.I.T. Knowledge; the Alumni Initiation Pinning Ceremony; Panther Ambassadors; the Can YOU Run This Institution shadow program; the Fallen Panther Memorial event; the Freshman Crossover Initiation Ceremony; National HBCU Week; and Red Ribbon Week events.
She has also served on several committees, such as the Women’s Leadership Committee, Black History Month Committee, Staff Advisory Committee, PVAMU Sports Hall of Fame Committee, Homecoming Committee, and the Constitution Day Committee.
In each step of her professional and educational career, she says PVAMU was always the right choice. Her role as a leader for student programming embodies the lessons she’s learned over the years – it’s her joy to share that with her students as she also reminds herself of that truth, too.
Gross is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Gamma Sigma Sigma National Service Sorority, Top Lady of Distinction, Inc., Order of the Eastern Star, Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society, and the PVAMU National Alumni Association.
“The students and my family have inspired me throughout my educational and career journey,” Mrs. Gross said. “I’ve been blessed to have communication and contact with students as far back as 2007. I’ve found myself learning as much from the students throughout the years, and they learn from me. I do everything I can to encourage them to keep going, not give up, and continue to grow and become the best they can be. I found myself reflecting on that many days and eventually realized I have to practice what I preach. I’m in an environment of empowerment, cultural respect, rich traditions, incredible strength, and a very distinguished legacy. The professionals here believe in high standards, quality education, and achievement. You have to surround yourself with these types of individuals to be successful in anything you pursue.”
So, it only made sense for Mrs. Gross when considering another degree program to stay right where she was and pursue it at PVAMU. And, of course, her students and family were overjoyed to return her constant encouragement right back to her every step of the process.
“For many years since receiving my bachelor’s degree, I’ve always wanted to go back to school. I’ve always wished for another chance to get it right, and to prove to myself that I can do better,” Mrs. Gross said. “I would overhear my co-workers talk about this great community development program housed in the School of Architecture. One of my co-workers would always tell me that this program would be perfect for me to enroll. He felt I would excel in the program due to what I was doing with my programming and outreach events. I had attempted school a few years before that and became frustrated with learning to adapt to registering and having class online. I mentioned the idea one day to my students, and they were excited. The students provided words of encouragement and assured me they would assist with any challenges I may face. I went online and printed out a brochure, and read through the curriculum and information. I felt a spark in my soul. I immediately called my husband and spoke with him about my plans. He became very excited and said, ‘Let’s do this.'”
Through the School of Architecture’s Community Development Program, Mrs. Gross has not only progressed on her degree but also benefited greatly from the design of the program, which combines passionate professors, hands-on training, and the vital elements of support and encouragement so familiar in every part of PVAMU.
“My academic journey with the Community Development Program has been incredible,” Mrs. Gross said. “I really enjoyed being able to use the trainings and concepts in real-life situations. Through the Community Development program, I’ve seen my parents and families in my program as a community with similar goals and beliefs. My job is to develop programs, resources, and guidance for the parent & family community to better support their student’s academic, social, and physical development and success.”
As part of her degree program, Mrs. Gross got involved with the Mayor’s Student Leaders Alliance (MSLA) for the 2020-2021 school year, where she serves as secretary on the Leadership Team and Executive Board. Through this initiative, regular meetings foster brainstorming with city officials on issues such as COVID-19, workforce development, digital learning, social justice, civic engagement, and planning community outreach activities.
“I am part of the cohort that has played a significant role in establishing the group’s guidelines of operations, constitution and bylaws, official logo, and social media pages,” Mrs. Gross said. “Although we are very busy with attending meetings and responding to messages, it has been gratifying and fascinating to work with so many other well-rounded, energetic, bright students who want to serve their peers and communities in the best way possible. We are all learning so much from the city officials and each other.”
She noted that her degree program in community development has been incredibly valuable to her role on the MSLA. Experience in research, community management and leadership, mediating discussions between groups, and keen project management abilities are skills she credits PVAMU with equipping and teaching her, allowing her and her peers to maximize productivity and organization, even in a challenging time like COVID-19.
As for what’s next, Mrs. Gross has plans to continue her role on the MSLA and continue reaching out to students and her surrounding community, sharing both her personal experience and expertise.
She is working with the PVAMU Parent Council members to create and implement more programs and initiatives to benefit current and prospective families of PVAMU students. She is also building a networking relationship with Waller County and surrounding communities to help the students and university through various outreach projects.
Most of all, her goal is to use her degree and what’s she’s learned to further student success – that’s her number one focus because she understands firsthand how necessary it is to have people who keep pushing you to keep going, just like others did for her.
“My position as the parent liaison and coordinator for family programs is essential in supporting student success. Parents are the most influential people in their students’ lives and can contribute to the persistence and success of a student’s journey to their degree,” Mrs. Gross said. “I serve the families by providing resources, guidance, and engagement opportunities during their students’ transition to college. Take advantage of opportunities to learn as much as you can. Education is a very powerful tool, and it is something that no one can take away from you.”
To view other notable fall 2020 graduates, visit www.pvamu.edu/academicaffairs/commencement/graduates.
By Meredith Mohr
-PVAMU-