Donnell is the 2025 recipient of the prestigious Baylor Bound Scholarship, a highly competitive, annual award that allows one Tyler Junior College honor graduate to transfer to Baylor University on a full, two-year scholarship. This partnership between TJC and Baylor, which began in 1989, offers a unique opportunity for students such as Donnell to continue their education without the heavy burden of debt.
She graduated from TJC in May with an associate degree in biology. As she prepares to continue her studies at Baylor in the fall, she reflects on her path to this outstanding achievement, the mentors who guided her, and the dreams she hopes to fulfill.
Donnell’s academic journey began in her hometown of Bullard, where she attended school from third grade through graduation. It was here that her love for the sciences blossomed, thanks to the encouragement of teachers who took the time to foster her intellectual curiosity and help her grow.
It started at TJC
When Donnell graduated from Bullard High School, she received the TJC Presidential Honors Scholarship, a financial blessing that cemented her decision to stay close to home. “I was already a homebody who wanted to stay local, so having the opportunity to get my associate degree debt-free made the choice easy,” she said.
TJC offered more than just financial relief. The supportive community and world-class faculty were key reasons she chose to study there. She recalls the moment she knew TJC would be the right fit: “Leaving my student orientation, I crossed paths with Mr. BJ Duplechain, the biology department chair. He was extremely welcoming and kind enough to offer me a position as a laboratory assistant in the biology labs, and it was then that I knew TJC would be a new home to me.”
An invaluable campus experience
At TJC, Donnell did not just focus on her academics — she immersed herself in the campus community. She was an active member of several organizations, including the STEM Club, the Presidential Honors Program, and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. “I greatly enjoyed being a member of the organizations, as they taught me invaluable lessons and catalyzed my character growth,” she said.
Even outside of these groups, Donnell attended events and meetings held by other organizations such as Las Mascaras Speech and Theatre Club and Kappa Kappa Psi Band Fraternity, eager to broaden her horizons and connect with fellow students.
“I never came across an organization at TJC that was not welcoming and excited for student involvement,” she said.
Mentors who made a difference
Donnell credits much of her success to the mentors she encountered along the way. “I am blessed to have had the number of amazing mentors I did while attending TJC, and I would not be where I am today without them,” she says.
One of those mentors is Dave Funk, director of the Presidential Honors Program. “Mr. Funk is truly a champion for the students,” she said. “He fights for, inspires, and offers advice to an unreal number of students every single day. He was my first connection at TJC and was there every step of the way, from planning my freshman fall schedule to walking across the stage at graduation.”
Another influential mentor was TJC biology professor, Holly Short.
“She is one of the most kind, passionate, and patient women I have ever met,” Donnell said. “She allowed me to explore what it means to work in a laboratory, helping me grow in interpersonal communication, time-management, adaptability and initiative.”
Lastly, she mentions Professor Nate Smith, the chemistry laboratory coordinator. “He taught me that there is no harm in incorporating fun into work and education, inspiring me to never lose my spark as I grow and become part of the professional workforce.”
Dreaming of Baylor
Donnell first considered Baylor University during her junior year of high school. The combination of its Christian values, dedicated faculty, and strong academic programs made it a dream school for her. However, financial constraints made it seem out of reach.
“My family simply could not afford such a decision,” she said. “I was offered an incredible opportunity at TJC to graduate debt-free with an amazing education. But over my senior year, I continued to search for ways to attend Baylor while facing the realistic expectations of finances.”
Her search led her to the Baylor Bound Scholarship. “I worked for the entirety of my two years at TJC to make myself a promising candidate for the scholarship,” she said. “I worked hard to make connections and show my dedication to excellence through my work ethic.”
That hard work paid off. Now, with the scholarship in hand, she will transfer to Baylor in Fall 2025 as a cell and molecular biology major with a pre-medical designation.
A future in medicine
At Baylor, Donnell will have the opportunity to dig deeper into her passion for biology. She will study cellular processes at the molecular level while also preparing for medical school.
“To me, wisdom is acknowledging how little I truly know,” she said. “I am excited to gain new knowledge and skills while being part of an amazing community of people. My dream job is to become a medical microbiologist, where I will be able to diagnose, treat, and save patients. My goal is to join the workforce as a specialist of micro-organisms to promote research for the betterment of human health.”
Looking back on her time at TJC, Donnell is grateful for the support she received and the lessons she learned.
“I am thankful for the efforts that went into my academic journey and for the community at TJC that made me feel like I was truly home,” she said. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without the support and guidance from everyone who has been a part of my journey.”
