By Ricky Williams
October 7, 2026
Sometimes I sit back and think about where I came from, where I am today, and the people who helped me get here. One thing I know for certain is that I did not get here by myself. There were people along the way who believed in me, opened doors for me, and gave me opportunities. To be honest, I do not know where I would be today if someone had not taken a chance on me.
I am originally from Dallas, Texas, and I was raised by a single mother. My mother dedicated more than 25 years of her life to education. Growing up, I did not fully understand how much her strength, sacrifice, and commitment to helping others would shape me. I understand it differently now, especially as I have built my own career in higher education.
In 2012, my mother passed away from pancreatic cancer. It spread quickly, and losing her changed my life. There are still moments when I wish I could pick up the phone and tell her about my day, share an accomplishment, or let her see the person I have become. I especially wish she could see the work I am doing now.
She spent her life serving others through education, and today I have the opportunity to serve students in a different way. I may not stand in front of a classroom like she did, but every day I get to support students and families during an important part of their college experience. In many ways, that connection makes this work personal for me.
Today, I serve as the Assistant Director of Housing Operations & Administrative Services at Tyler Junior College. My job includes housing assignments, billing, access, move-in preparation, and many of the day-to-day operations that keep housing moving. I enjoy that side of the work. I like solving problems, making processes better, and seeing months of planning come together when students arrive on campus. But what I love most about housing has never been a spreadsheet, a report, or an occupancy number. It is the people.
I love working with students and families. Being raised by a single mother gave me an appreciation for the sacrifices families make to help their students reach college. When a parent calls our office worried about a housing issue, I try to remember that they are not simply calling about a room, a charge, or a policy. They are calling about someone they love. That changes the way I approach the conversation.
The same is true with our students. We never know everything a student is carrying when they walk through our doors. Some arrive with everything they need and a strong support system behind them. Others are trying to figure things out as they go. Sometimes what looks like a simple housing question is connected to something much bigger.
Recently, I spoke with a student who was preparing to move into campus housing. During our conversation, I learned that the student did not have many of the basic necessities needed for the room. We could have stopped after making sure the housing assignment was complete, but that did not feel like enough. My team and I looked at what we had available and were able to put together bedding, towels, laundry detergent, and other essentials to help the student get started.
It was not a major program. There was no big announcement or recognition attached to it. We were simply helping a student who needed someone to care enough to ask, "What else do you need?" Moments like that remind me why I love this profession.
They also remind me of my own journey. People have taken time to guide me, encourage me, and see potential in me. Those opportunities helped me grow into the professional and leader I am today. Because of that, I never want to become so focused on my title or responsibilities that I forget what it feels like to need someone to believe in you.
That is one of the biggest lessons housing has taught me. Our work is important, but the people are more important. We have policies to follow, deadlines to meet, buildings to manage, and difficult decisions to make. Those responsibilities are real. Still, we cannot allow the operation to become so important that we overlook the reason the operation exists in the first place.
As I continue to grow as a leader, I want to be someone who gives others room to grow too. I want students to feel that they can come to us when they need help. I want families to know that we understand the trust they place in us. I also want the people I work with to know that I see their potential and that I am willing to help them develop.
I am proud of how far I have come, but I never want to forget the young man from Dallas who was raised by a single mother. I carry that part of my story with me every day.
I often wish my mother could see where I am now. I think she would understand why this work means so much to me. She spent her career serving through education, and I am grateful that, in my own way, I get to continue that kind of work by serving students and families.
I cannot tell you exactly where I would be if people had not believed in me. What I can say is that their support changed my life, and I never want to take that for granted.
Someone took a chance on me. Now, I have the opportunity to do the same for someone else.
Ricky L. Williams
Assistant Director of Housing Operations & Administrative Services at Tyler Junior College
