UHDgraduation is thrice as nice for sisters
Adversity knocked on the Lampkins’ door long before the coronavirus pandemic hit. But for the three sisters in the clan, 2020 is ending as a victorious and empowering year, with their simultaneous graduations from the University of Houston Downtown.
Zanda, 50, Erneka, 43, and Tiffany Lampkin, 36, are among the 3,700 students graduating this year from the University of Houston Downtown, which celebrated a virtual commencement ceremony Saturday.
The trio never imagined that their long paths to college graduation would culminate with each earning an interdisciplinary studies diploma on the same day. But theywanted to turn the fate of the pandemic into a positive life change.
“For me, thiswas very, very important,” said Erneka Lampkin, a single mother working and struggling to raise a child with autism.
Erneka remembers that when her15-year-old sonwas diagnosed with autism six years ago, and she had to put every personal dream on the back burner, including the college classes in criminal justice shewas taking. “It changed everything … my entire world,” she said,
Erneka said she was determined to graduate at some point.
She turned the constraints of being at home full time because of the coronavirus into an opportunity. When she found that the UHD’s Interdisciplinary Studies program could be completed online and at her own pace, her hopes were renewed, but she didn’t have the tuition money, she said.
Her older sister Zanda came to the rescue with financial support. “If it hadn’t been for her, I wouldn’t have done anything,” said Erneka.
Zanda, in turn, was motivated to return to school as well. She already had a successful career as a business analyst at a health care software company, but was furloughed as a result of the pandemic.
“I was presented with something I felt was negative… going on furlough,” Zanda said. But, “I was able to actually go back and finish school on my own terms at my own pace,” she added. Being in and out of college for years has allowed her to accumulate credits that she used to finish the UHD program. “I just decided, just because I’m 50, you know, it doesn’t mean I cannot finish” a career.
The COVID-19 circumstances had a domino effect on the three sisters, pushing them to accomplish their educational dreams. Tiffany, for her part, has had two previous attempts at college, the first one after high school graduation, but the stress of being away on a college campus didn’t work for her at the time. Tiffany dedicated a good part of her adult life to being a pillar for Erneka in helping and raising her autistic nephew. She went back to college a second time, but getting pregnant and being the mother of 2 pulled her away from classrooms again. Earning her degree this time has a special meaning for her that resonates with many mothers.
“I am just that kind of mom, even that kind of person, you know, I put everybody first and try to do for everyone and my kids; I have to give all for them and then I have nothing left for me,” Tiffany said.
The youngest said she knew that finishing her college degree would be hard, taking care of the family and staying up late, sometimes till the wee hours while everyone at home was sleeping. But “I feel really good now. I’ve just accomplished something that is just for me, not formy kids ormy husband or anybody else. it’s something for me.”
UHD Interim President Antonio D. Tillis said that the Lampkin sisters are a model of how many Houstonians are empowered by the personal and professional growth opportunities provided by higher education.
“The story of the Lampkin sisters is emblematic of UHD students’ resiliency during these difficult times,” Tillis said. “Their achievements are quite telling with regards to the efforts of nontraditional students in our community (who are ) balancing careers, parenthood and life’s challenges” at the same time.
Graduation has brought the Lampkin sisters closer. And the plans they have for their futures are also marked by supporting a family member diagnosed with autism. They plan to finish teaching certificates. Tiffany toys with the idea of becoming a special education teacher in honor of her nephew.
Erneka said she is getting her teaching and special education certifications in honor of her son. “Hopefully, from there, I’ll go higher and become a special education coordinator, so I can go from school to school tomake sure that they’re doing what they’re supposed to do for kids.”
Zanda is enrolled in a UHD nonprofit business program because, she said, “my goal is to create and run a nonprofit for autism.”
The UHD 68th Commencement Ceremony for spring, summerand fall graduates was live-streamed on the university’s Facebook and YouTube channels. It can be played on demand at UHD.edu/ commencement from Dec. 20.
The three Lampkin sisters, and most 2020 graduates in Houston and elsewhere, are celebrating their degree completions with the anticlimactic virtual ceremonies of the COVID year. But no virus can take away their new feeling of empowerment and accomplishment.
“You know, you can hold your head up a little higher!” said Erneka Lampkin, and the three sisters busted out laughing with unmistakable pride.