How UTA Libraries employee Lyndsey DeWitt is building her future through ETAP

Editor's Note: This story is the first in a UTA Libraries series featuring employees who are pursuing higher education through UTA's Employee Tuition Assistance Program (ETAP). 

When Lyndsey DeWitt walked across the stage to receive her bachelor's degree from UTA in December 2023, she assumed that chapter of her education was finished. Like many recent graduates, she dreamed about what might come next. Maybe another state. Maybe graduate school is somewhere new. Maybe simply finding the right career. 

Instead, life took her somewhere she never expected, right back to the place she had already called home. 

Today, DeWitt serves as Special Events Coordinator in the Day Family Research Lab and Research Data Publishing and Partnerships at UTA Libraries, helping graduate students and researchers navigate every stage of the research process. It's a role she loves, but it also helped her realize something else: she wasn't finished learning. 

"I always wanted to go back to graduate school," DeWitt said. "The question wasn't if. It was where and when." 

That answer became much clearer after conversations with colleagues and supervisors who encouraged her to look into UTA's Employee Tuition Assistance Program, known as ETAP Rather than telling her what to do, they simply encouraged her to explore the possibilities. 

"They just nudged me," she said. "They told me to talk to an advisor and see what was possible. That really opened the door." 

Today, she's pursuing a master's degree in human resource management while working full-time at UTA Libraries, a goal she says may not have been possible without ETAP. 

Graduate school had always been part of her long-term plans, but like many employees, cost was one of the biggest questions. 

"Graduate school isn't cheap," she said. "When you really want to do it, you have to be ready to give it everything you have." 

For DeWitt, taking a year and a half after earning her bachelor's degree turned out to be exactly what she needed. 

"I look back now and I'm actually thankful I waited," she said. "It gave me time to slow down and figure out where I wanted to go and what I wanted to accomplish." 

Education has always been woven into her family's story. Her mother was the first person in her family to earn both a bachelor's and a master's degree. Her grandparents continually encouraged her to pursue higher education, showing that it's never too late to return to school. 

"They've always taught me that education is important," DeWitt said. "No matter what you do, make sure you're successful." 

That support became one of the biggest reasons she kept pushing forward. Returning to the classroom wasn't without anxiety. 

"When I walked back into class, I was super nervous," she recalled. "I wanted to perform well. I wanted to do my best." 

Those nerves quickly turned into something unexpected: confidence. As she progressed through the program, she discovered she had found exactly where she belonged. 

"I've learned that I really love human resources," she said. "It's about connecting people with the resources they need. That's where I found my passion." 

Her interest in HR began during a leadership internship as an undergraduate student at GM Financial, where she was introduced to the many facets of the profession. What started as curiosity eventually became a calling. 

Today, that passion reaches far beyond the classroom. She hopes to one day work in university human resources, focusing on employee engagement, training and development, while eventually teaching future HR professionals as a college professor. 

"I want to help people grow," she said. "I love training and development. I love helping people succeed." 

That mindset naturally carries into her work at UTA Libraries. Many of the concepts she's learning in graduate school, from employee engagement to organizational development and leadership, are already shaping how she approaches her work and collaborates with colleagues. 

"I've been able to translate so much of what I'm learning into my role here," she said. "It's made me more intentional about how I work with people." 

Balancing graduate school with a full-time career hasn't been easy. 

For DeWitt, the biggest challenge has been learning how to manage her time. 

"Outlook is my best friend," she laughed. "I have reminders for everything, assignments, discussion posts, quizzes, everything." 

Still, there have been moments when the workload felt overwhelming. 

"This summer has probably been my hardest semester," she admitted. "There were times I felt discouraged." 

Those moments didn't last long. She credits her family, friends, classmates and colleagues across UTA Libraries for reminding her why she started. 

"My community has been everything," she said. "When I'm stressed, people remind me, 'You've done this before. You're going to get through it.'" 

That encouragement has become one of the most meaningful parts of her journey. She also finds inspiration in her graduate school cohort, many of whom balance careers, families and children while pursuing advanced degrees. Watching their determination has reinforced an important lesson. 

"Everybody's life looks different," DeWitt said. "We all have different responsibilities, but we're all working toward the same goal." 

As graduation approaches this December, she often thinks about the people waiting to cheer her on. She hopes her parents and grandparents will once again be there to watch her cross the stage. 

"This degree is for me," she said, "but it's also for my family." 

Looking back, DeWitt says graduate school has changed more than her résumé. It strengthened her discipline, sharpened her confidence and given her a clearer vision for the future. 

"It has been life-changing," she said. "It's challenging, but it's also incredibly rewarding." 

For employees considering taking advantage of ETAP, her advice is simple. 

Don't let doubt stop you. 

Going back to school requires commitment, organization and plenty of perseverance, she said, but the rewards extend far beyond earning another diploma. 

"You can do it," DeWitt said. "There will be hard days, but celebrate your wins, lean on your community and keep going. It's worth it." 
 
For DeWitt, ETAP did more than help pay for graduate school. It gave her the opportunity to pursue a lifelong goal while continuing to build her career at UTA Libraries. 

The Employee Tuition Assistance Program is one of the many benefits available to eligible UTA employees, providing tuition assistance for undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as job-related coursework. By investing in employees' education, the program supports professional growth while strengthening the University through a more knowledgeable and skilled workforce. 

For DeWitt, ETAP didn't simply help pay for graduate school. It helped turn a lifelong goal into reality and opened the door to a future she's excited to build, one class, one semester and one milestone at a time. 
 
"I've found what I'm passionate about," she said. "I know where I want to go, and ETAP has helped me get there." 

As UTA Libraries launches this new employee spotlight series, DeWitt hopes her story encourages others who have been thinking about returning to school. 

"It's never too late to invest in yourself," she said. "If earning another degree is something you've been thinking about, take that first step. You might surprise yourself."