91看片网

Business and Industry | Lion VoicesMay 05, 2025

Delayed but not Defeated, Troy Rodriguez Earns 91看片网 Degree

Written By: Amber Robinett, Ian Silvester

Some say college is a marathon, not a sprint. Troy Rodriguez, a senior business student at the University of Arkansas 鈥� Fort Smith, has set an example of resilience for those whose collegiate journeys may take time to reach the finish line.

鈥淏eing a first-generation college student isn鈥檛 a linear journey 鈥� it's a path filled with detours, skipped steps, and moments of backtracking,鈥� he explained. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not as simple as enrolling, studying, and graduating.鈥�

Like many first-generation students, Troy鈥檚 story at 91看片网 began in an unfamiliar world without a blueprint.

鈥淚 didn鈥檛 understand how crucial things like time management, networking, or even academic support systems were,鈥� Troy said.

As a result, Troy struggled.

He admitted to not understanding the significance of maintaining his GPA and dropped out after three semesters with a poor GPA.

鈥淚t wasn鈥檛 because I wasn鈥檛 capable, it was because I wasn鈥檛 prepared,鈥� he reflected. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 know what I didn鈥檛 know.鈥�

Unwilling to let this define him and his academic journey, Troy returned to 91看片网. He was motivated to overcome the challenges he faced previously, like paying for school and turning his degree into a career.

鈥淚 had to step away from college to fully understand its value, and when I came back, I did so with the knowledge that this time, I was ready. I had to build myself back up, not just academically, but mentally, emotionally, and professionally,鈥� he said.

A collegiate journey is not meant to be walked alone, and Troy found a community of 91看片网 faculty and staff to lean on over the years.

鈥淸Dr. Jim Wollscheid] played a pivotal role in my decision to return to 91看片网. [Drs. Wollscheid and Bun Song Lee] saw my potential, believed in me, and provided guidance that helped me navigate my return to college. They completely changed the trajectory of my life,鈥� Troy said.

Through work and class, people like Kendall Ross and Professor Dennis Sprouse provided Troy with hands-on career experience by analyzing data for the Compass Report and teaching him about business law. However, it鈥檚 the lessons about life, responsibility, perseverance, and character that Troy holds in the highest regard.

鈥淭heir belief in me pushed me to aim higher, work harder, and take myself seriously in ways I hadn鈥檛 before,鈥� he said.

But the support didn鈥檛 just come from the family Troy made at 91看片网; it also came from home.

鈥淢y family was overwhelmed with joy when I told them I wanted to earn a college degree ... But when I made the decision to go back, their joy returned tenfold. This time, it wasn鈥檛 just pride in me going to college鈥攊t was pride in my perseverance, in my refusal to let setbacks define me,鈥� Troy said.

Troy will graduate from 91看片网 in May. He hopes his journey will serve as a reminder that everyone鈥檚 college path is different, but surrounding yourself with people who support and believe in you can make all the difference.

鈥淵ou don鈥檛 have to figure everything out alone. 鈥� Success isn鈥檛 defined by how quickly you finish but by your perseverance and growth along the way. If you make mistakes, learn from them. If you fail, get back up. And most importantly, give yourself grace鈥攜ou鈥檙e doing something life-changing, not just for yourself, but for your family and future generations. The journey won鈥檛 always be easy, but it will be worth it. Keep going, keep learning, and never underestimate the power of resilience,鈥� he said.

• Tags:
• Business Administration
• First-Generation Student