Pellissippi State graduate and advocate beat the odds

Tyra Williams sidestepped statistical data on teen pregnancies dooming her to failure and became an advocate instead.

Recipient of the Outstanding Student Honor, African-American Excellence Award, Williams graduated from Pellissippi State on Friday, with honors. Her diligence and hard work also have landed her a $16,000 scholarship to Maryville College, where she will pursue a bachelor’s degree in business.

“Eventually, I would even like to earn my doctorate,” said Williams, who describes herself as an “education junkie.”

As an award-winning, motivated student with nearly a 4.0, Williams is a success. But she wasn’t supposed to be.

You see, Williams became pregnant at age 13.

According to the National Campaign to Prevent Pregnancy, only one-third of teenage mothers graduate from high school. Of those who do graduate, only 1.5 percent will receive a college degree by age 30.

Despite the statistics, Williams used her situation to inspire others by becoming a spokesperson on preventing teen pregnancy. She appeared on talk shows and in magazines and newspapers.

At the same time, she maintained excellent grades at her high school in Maryland and worked to support her young daughter.

By senior year she was earning honor roll certificates in every class.

“Having a child as an ill-prepared mother did not stop me from wanting a full college life to provide the best opportunities to support my child,” said Williams.

Her diligence earned her a full scholarship to any Maryland school, but she chose a college in Virginia.

“I felt both blessed and honored to be accepted there,” says Williams, “but the awesome part was that as part of a program for young mothers, I would be allowed to live on campus with my daughter.”

Unfortunately, that college did not pan out.

“Program rules and regulations prevented family, including my daughter’s father, from visiting,” said Williams. “I felt that was unfair to my daughter, and I didn’t want to hinder their relationship.”

Her alternate plan was to remain in Maryland for college, which she did. At that time, 1997, she was pregnant with her second child, a son. She worked hard, but the community college she attended would not recognize her scholarship.

She again attempted college at a different school, but she said, “it was a recipe for disaster. Because of the scholarship I had to take a full-time class load, and I took classes above my ability.”

She did not return to school after that semester.

In 1998, a decade after her daughter’s birth, Williams married and landed in Memphis to be closer to her husband’s family. Later, they moved to Knoxville for her husband’s job. She worked, raised her children and began a career in real estate during that time.

Williams was also busy collecting the appropriate documents to again attend college.

The year 2003 marked her return, and Pellissippi State was her choice.

During her time here at the College, she has continued to maintain a heavy work schedule, earning her Graduate Realtor Institute designation and maintaining a clientele. At times, she also has worked 50+ hours a week at Open Arms Care, a nonprofit organization that provides care for adults and children with mental retardation and developmental disabilities, as an assistant program director.

Williams has been an active member of Phi Theta Kappa, and the Active Black Students Association and a member of Alpha Beta Gamma, a business honor society.

The three-year experience at the College was loaded with accomplishments, but it has not been without struggles as well.

A number of close family members died. Another attempted suicide, and yet another underwent emergency surgery. Marriage troubles brewed, too, and even now, one family member battles cancer.

“But I’m still standing,” says Williams.

“She is an awesome, solid student with an amazing record,” said Gayle Wood, assistant to the director of Admissions and Records for student retention. “Her strong sense of determination and powerful presence will lead her to a fantastic future.”

“Tyra is the type of student teachers dream of having,” said Lisa Bogaty, associate professor in Business and Computer Technology.

Although she has already begun her real estate career, Williams is also working toward owning her own business.

“I would like to start a program or school to help teen mothers complete their high school education while also earning college credit,” said Williams, who herself attended Laurence G. Paquin School for Expectant Mothers in Baltimore.

She also would like to exercise her real estate experience by helping others become homeowners.

“What matters is not just that life’s lemons can be turned to lemonade, but what you choose to do with the profits from the lemonade.

“I want to be a blessing to others,” said Williams.

Williams, who turned 31 last month, has just missed being among the 1.5 percent of teen mothers who complete college by age 30. But she still represents a victory.

"Inside Pellissippi" is a bi-monthly electronic publication produced by the Community Relations Office for the faculty and staff of Pellissippi State Technical Community College, 10915 Hardin Valley Road, P.O. Box 22990, Knoxville, Tennessee 37933-0990. All suggestions and comments should be sent to Julia Wood (jwood@pstcc.edu).

For past issues, visit the Inside Pellissippi Archive.