One Goal, One Class at a Time: Brianna Branscomb’s ETAP Journey

Brianna Branscomb always knew she wanted to go to graduate school. What she didn’t know was how she was going to make it work. 
 

After graduating from the University of North Texas, Brianna was looking for a job when she found UTA Libraries. During her interview, she learned about the Employee Tuition Affordability Program, or ETAP, which provides eligible UTA employees with tuition assistance to pursue a degree or job-related coursework at UTA. 

 
The opportunity changed how she thought about graduate school. 

 
“I care a lot about learning. I am a lifelong learner,” Brianna said. “The possibility of pursuing my education at no additional cost to me was really appealing.” 

 
During her undergraduate years, Brianna worked three jobs to support herself. She had originally planned to go directly into a Ph.D. program, but she did not want to spend several more years struggling financially while earning another degree. UTA offered another path. She could work full-time, build her career, and continue her education without taking on additional tuition debt. 

Brianna began her master’s degree in sociology at UTA in January 2025. At the Libraries, she first worked as the Research Success Coordinator before moving into her current role as Outreach and Open Education Coordinator in the Reference, Instruction & Open Education Department. 

 
Balancing graduate school with a full-time job has been rewarding but also challenging. 

 
“My time management skills need to get a lot better,” Brianna said. 

 
Some days stretch into the evening, with work ending at 6 or 7 p.m. and studying continuing until 11 or midnight. There have also been semesters when she wondered if she could keep up. Those moments taught Brianna that there is no need to rush the process. 

 
When her responsibilities at the Libraries increased after she moved into her current position, she spoke with her professors about adjusting her course load. Rather than pushing herself to graduate as quickly as possible, she decided to take one class in the fall and one in the spring. 

 
The advice helped Brianna recognize that some of the pressure she felt was coming from herself. 

 
“I’m trying to remind myself that the pressure is usually very internal,” she said. “It’s coming from me and my ideas of what a good, successful student looks like.” 

 
Finding support along the way 

 
Brianna has learned that she does not have to do everything alone. Her friends in the sociology program have become study partners and a source of accountability. She and her best friend set aside time each week to work on their theses together. Her mother checks in on her progress, too. She has also found support at the Libraries. Managers and colleagues have given her flexibility as she balances work and school. 
 

As an undergraduate, Brianna often struggled to focus on school while working three jobs. Having a steady job and a predictable schedule now gives her the space to concentrate on her education without constantly worrying about how she will meet her basic needs. 

 
“I know with confidence that I can pursue my education and never have to worry about choosing between textbooks and putting food on the table,” Brianna said. “I know what the students are going through because I’m going through it.” 

 
This experience has given her a firsthand understanding of what students experience when researching, writing papers, and navigating library resources. Many of the concepts she studies in sociology connect to her work in open education. 

Looking ahead 

 
Brianna expects to graduate in spring 2027 and has plans for what comes next. But first, she wants to take some time to enjoy life and work on some personal projects that have been put on hold. 

 
One project is a YouTube channel she hopes to create with a close friend who works in television. The two want to produce academic-style video essays that bring research and ideas to a broader audience. They have already reserved usernames, secured a website domain and started planning. 

 
“I’m excited to combine my academic expertise with her production expertise,” Brianna said. 

 
The project connects closely with her master’s thesis, which examines YouTube video essays and argues that they can serve as a form of public scholarship. She hopes to eventually turn her research into a video essay of her own. 

 
A Ph.D. remains part of the plan, too. Brianna originally considered pursuing one immediately after her undergraduate degree, but she is waiting until the time is right to move forward on it. 

She also hopes to pay off the student loan debt she took on as an undergraduate. She has not needed to take out additional loans for her master’s degree. 

 
“I’ve been given a unique and amazing opportunity that’s going to set me up for long-term success,” Brianna said. “And so, I should honor that by giving it my all and doing my best work.” 

 
An opportunity worth taking 

 
Brianna knows some Libraries staff members may be thinking about going back to school but are unsure whether they have the time or confidence to take that first step. 

 
Her advice is to be intentional. Talk with academic advisors, ask about the workload and look at course syllabi before deciding what path is right for you. She also wants employees to know there is no single way to continue their education. 

 
“You don’t have to do a committed degree plan,” she said. “You can get a certificate if you’d like. There are several options for structuring and approaching your education.” 

When it comes to ETAP, Brianna is just as direct. 

 
“I really do encourage everybody to do ETAP,” she said. “In many ways, it sets you up for long-term success.” 

 
For Brianna, the benefit has meant more than saving money on tuition. It has allowed her to continue learning, build her career and pursue a master’s degree without adding to the financial pressure she experienced as an undergraduate. 

 
It has also given her confidence in her ability to take on difficult goals. 

 
“I am very proud of myself because I’ve proven I can do hard things,” Brianna said. 

She still has a thesis to finish, a master’s degree to earn and plenty of plans waiting on the other side of graduation.