{"id":12846,"date":"2025-06-24T16:14:50","date_gmt":"2025-06-24T21:14:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/?p=12846"},"modified":"2025-06-25T08:33:59","modified_gmt":"2025-06-25T13:33:59","slug":"first-gen-files-tyler-nerada","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/first-gen-files-tyler-nerada\/","title":{"rendered":"First Gen Files: Tyler Nerada"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:43% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"724\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/06\/Tyler-Nerada-724x1024.png\" alt=\"Tyler Nerada, Tarleton State alumni, posed near Heritage Park.\" class=\"wp-image-12850 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/06\/Tyler-Nerada-724x1024.png 724w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/06\/Tyler-Nerada-212x300.png 212w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/06\/Tyler-Nerada-283x400.png 283w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/06\/Tyler-Nerada-768x1086.png 768w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/06\/Tyler-Nerada-1086x1536.png 1086w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/06\/Tyler-Nerada.png 1414w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 724px) 100vw, 724px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-tarleton-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-1cb2d249ca248023760cba055e3cd7aa\"><em>&#8220;Take the leap and join the Texan Family! Come in with an open mind and prepare to have the most pivotal years of your life. Soak up every experience possible, build lifelong friendships, and don\u2019t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone because that\u2019s where the growth happens. Tarleton State isn\u2019t just a school; it\u2019s a community that will support you, challenge you, and celebrate you every step of the way.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-tarleton-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-290b393897434587ac361fa06cae07ad\">Tyler Nerada <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-tarleton-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-eddab9e400ffa285322d589b8e4bb8ff\">Tarleton State Alumni, Class of 2022 &amp; 2024 | First Generation Graduate<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left has-tarleton-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-d58a623be08f0c9a8261ecdb7466c55c\">Once you officially become a Tarleton State Texan, you are a Texan for life.&nbsp;You become a part of a familial unit that prides itself on keeping its alumni connected. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:6px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left has-tarleton-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-ca2b1a16da1b5811aa5e0bfa1b610c03\">Whether you are pursuing a graduate degree or returning to Tarleton State to work full-time, you will always have a home on-campus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:6px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-tarleton-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-931f8af8782cfd8af358afd1e90b8fc2\">This statement rings true for first-generation, Tarleton State alumni, Tyler Nerada. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-tarleton-purple-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-a420a5878a600f9a71d12f86e7fa3497\"><strong><em>~ Life at Tarleton State University: Undergraduate Edition ~<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-tarleton-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-7bf4a5ab30246a61ee8414b01136fcd4\">Originally from Victoria, Texas, located more than 4 hours away from Stephenville, Tyler Nerada made Tarleton State University his home in 2019 to pursue his undergraduate degree in Agribusiness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-tarleton-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-79765195702ee133db2074e07892b94e\">Although Tarleton State was geographically out of the way for Tyler, he never second-guessed his choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-tarleton-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-6519b4ec23423f470be19784e52ad0a8\">\u201cWhen I started looking into colleges during my senior year of high school, I\u2019ll admit I was in way over my head. As a first-generation student, I had no idea where to even begin. I kept seeing Tarleton at FFA contests, so I figured I\u2019d check it out. I know it sounds clich\u00e9, but the moment I stepped on campus, it just felt right\u2014like it was where I was supposed to be,\u201d Nerada shared.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-tarleton-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-d2d7680257562201d62646c5ec47f42f\">The beautiful campus coupled with the unwavering support of faculty and staff is what gave Tyler the push he truly needed. In that instance, Tarleton State became his new home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-tarleton-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-5558f8a62d8ce7f32b34415870261ac9\">During his time on-campus, Tyler kept a busy schedule! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile is-image-fill-element\" style=\"grid-template-columns:37% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"576\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/06\/IMG_5507-576x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Tyler Nerada at Duck Camp with a fellow TTM, President James Hurley and his first lady, Kindall Hurley.\" class=\"wp-image-12856 size-full\" style=\"object-position:48% 37%\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/06\/IMG_5507-576x1024.jpg 576w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/06\/IMG_5507-169x300.jpg 169w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/06\/IMG_5507-225x400.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/06\/IMG_5507-768x1365.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/06\/IMG_5507-864x1536.jpg 864w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/06\/IMG_5507-1152x2048.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/06\/IMG_5507-1568x2788.jpg 1568w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/06\/IMG_5507-scaled.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 576px) 100vw, 576px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"has-tarleton-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-9af33ccf477e131e40f1e8879af68fd5\">He jumped in head-first to a number of organizations including being a Tarleton Transition Mentor (TTM), Texan Rep, member of the Student Government Association (SGA), a member of Tarleton Serves and a group leader for Alternative Spring Break (ASB).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-tarleton-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-4c2c6409f98b6b90eaf4f45ba8f19793\">\u201cOut of everything I\u2019ve been a part of, Alternative Spring Break stands out as the most impactful. Our team put in months of planning to make sure the trip went off without a hitch, and getting to serve that community alongside such a dedicated group made it all incredibly rewarding,\u201d Nerada said.&nbsp;<br><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-100\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-tarleton-purple-background-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/campus-lifestyle\/\">Get Involved, Stay Connected <\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-tarleton-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-69164a4d9565e0b7aed49335bf9db609\">Tyler graduated with his B.S. in Agribusiness in December 2022. However, his journey was far from over. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-tarleton-purple-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-b296b267b631f7dc87a4ce7dffee19e4\"><strong><em>~ Life at Tarleton State University : Graduate Edition ~<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-tarleton-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-a24ca1bbf6735f2c4e6fa8d456fe10d7\">Following the completion of his undergraduate degree, Tyler decided to tackle his graduate degree as well. After much research, staying at Tarleton State was a no-brainer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-tarleton-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-54d14c59a58c11cb970dcfe6999f7980\">He began working toward his M.S. in Management with a concentration in Leadership in the spring of 2022. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-tarleton-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-ff40df6c727eb05b60bea83d06321229\">\u201cWhen it came time to graduate with my bachelor\u2019s, I wanted to keep that momentum going and pursue my master\u2019s. I looked into a few different programs, but once again, Tarleton stood out. The M.S. in Management program was fully online and affordable enough to pay out of pocket while working full-time,\u201d Nerada said.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:6px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-tarleton-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-3864b84fe90a3551497185be4f42e38b\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile is-image-fill-element\"><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"has-tarleton-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-9c46088c7919c66bf2a572ffbd137630\">While pursuing his graduate degree, Tyler worked full-time as an Admissions Counselor for Undergraduate Recruitment. <\/p>\n<\/div><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/06\/IMG_0873-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Tyler Nerada at Barefoot with fellow recruitment staff.\" class=\"wp-image-12859 size-full\" style=\"object-position:50% 50%\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/06\/IMG_0873-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/06\/IMG_0873-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/06\/IMG_0873-300x400.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/06\/IMG_0873-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/06\/IMG_0873-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/06\/IMG_0873-1568x2091.jpg 1568w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/06\/IMG_0873-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-tarleton-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-2fc30071842f16173e36ccc254936b04\">In December 2024, Tyler crossed the stage , earning his second degree from Tarleton State University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-100\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-tarleton-purple-background-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/gradbound\/\">GO TO GRADUATE SCHOOL \ud83d\ude42 <\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-tarleton-purple-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-d99bdaad468688d6861495f05af4559f\"><strong><em>~ Life at Tarleton State University: Full-Time Edition ~<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-tarleton-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-3bedae203d5a63e7509ad94dc6674676\">After serving as an Admissions Counselor for over 2 years, Tyler was promoted to Senior Recruitment Coordinator at Tarleton State University.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-tarleton-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-b69dac4b0f844f2747ad1318c25f57cf\">&#8220;In this role, I get to do a bit of everything\u2014building systems to help keep our University Recruitment team on track, working with campus and community leaders, putting together recruitment materials, and supporting our admissions counselors however I can,\u201d Nerada said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-tarleton-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-1136f79b4bb130d1886aaa14aec5fe43\">A large part of Tyler&#8217;s job is helping students find their path which he enjoys doing by sharing his own stories about his time at Tarleton State. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-tarleton-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-1cd9261f6193133897948a6378cdb6f0\">\u201cI work with some of the funniest, wittiest, and most outgoing people you\u2019ll ever meet (seriously, the Tarleton stories alone are worth a visit). If you ever find yourself at the TSU Welcome Center, come say hi! We\u2019ll make sure you leave with a smile and probably a story or two,\u201d Nerada shared.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:6px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-tarleton-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-360d171f338995293e0d94b2b54da64c\">For Tyler, one of his greatest professional accomplishments has been his continuous growth in his role. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-tarleton-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-ee3a249b03917b37c37b459cbda08e24\">\u201cProfessionally, my greatest accomplishment has been the growth and experience I\u2019ve gained in my role. Over the last few years, I\u2019ve worked hard to meet goals and continuously show up as the best version of myself. That dedication paid off when I was promoted to our leadership team! Having a boss who truly invests in employee growth definitely makes a difference and I\u2019m grateful for that support,\u201d Nerada said.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-tarleton-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-3864b84fe90a3551497185be4f42e38b\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-id=\"12868\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/06\/Image-8-2-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"Tyler and his friends on a hike.\" class=\"wp-image-12868\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/06\/Image-8-2-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/06\/Image-8-2-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/06\/Image-8-2-533x400.jpeg 533w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/06\/Image-8-2-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/06\/Image-8-2-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/06\/Image-8-2-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/06\/Image-8-2-1568x1176.jpeg 1568w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-id=\"12867\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/06\/Image-6-1-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"Tyler and his friends on a hike.\" class=\"wp-image-12867\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/06\/Image-6-1-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/06\/Image-6-1-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/06\/Image-6-1-533x400.jpeg 533w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/06\/Image-6-1-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/06\/Image-6-1-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/06\/Image-6-1-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/06\/Image-6-1-1568x1176.jpeg 1568w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-id=\"12869\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/06\/Image-10-1-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"Tyler and his friends on a hike.\" class=\"wp-image-12869\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/06\/Image-10-1-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/06\/Image-10-1-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/06\/Image-10-1-533x400.jpeg 533w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/06\/Image-10-1-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/06\/Image-10-1-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/06\/Image-10-1-1568x1176.jpeg 1568w, https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/06\/Image-10-1.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-tarleton-purple-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-ad50d539827caaefee1ac2c645bc80e4\"><strong><em>~ Q&amp;A with Tyler Nerada ~<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-tarleton-purple-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-905b50aaae6aee6e213ba976ebeb3d8b\"><strong><em>Q: What would you tell incoming\/prospective students about Tarleton State University?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A: \u201cIf you want to be truly cared about, the choice is easy\u2014choose Tarleton State! This university has given me valuable experiences, career-building skills, unforgettable memories, and moments that have shaped who I am today. The family atmosphere here is real. You\u2019re not just a number at Tarleton, you\u2019re part of a community that wants to see you succeed. Whether you\u2019re considering undergrad or grad school, Tarleton is the place to be. I\u2019ve lived it, and I wouldn\u2019t change a thing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:6px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-tarleton-purple-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-a2bb7a1c42fdf9492c2527f5ceda7df2\"><strong><em>Q: If you could give your past self one piece of advice, what would it be? <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A: \u201cIf I could go back and give myself one piece of advice, it would be to give myself a little more grace. I spent so much time running from meeting to meeting, checking off to-do list items, and pouring extra hours into every assignment\u2014especially during my master\u2019s program. I was staying up late most nights, focused on perfecting everything and chasing that 4.0 GPA (which, don\u2019t get me wrong, was awesome!). But in the process, I didn\u2019t always take the time to pause and appreciate the journey. Looking back, I\u2019m proud of the hard work but I also wish I had slowed down just a bit to soak in more of the memories, the people, and the moments that made it all worth it.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:6px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-tarleton-purple-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-df3ede2ea049e8cfc60b64ae2b9a1ebf\"><strong><em>Q: Is there anything else you believe Texans should know before starting their journey at Tarleton State University? <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A: \u201cIf you\u2019re on the edge about Tarleton, just take the leap and join the Texan Family! Come in with an open mind and prepare to have the most pivotal years of your life. Soak up every experience possible, build lifelong friendships, and don\u2019t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone because that\u2019s where the growth happens. Tarleton isn\u2019t just a school; it\u2019s a community that will support you, challenge you, and celebrate you every step of the way. At the end of the day, choosing a school is easy when you find one that truly supports and cares about you\u2014and that\u2019s exactly what Tarleton did for me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Starting your Texan journey, whether it be your undergraduate or graduate career, starts with simply applying! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:6px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-100\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-tarleton-purple-background-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/\">Become A Tarleton State Texan<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;Take the leap and join the Texan Family! Come in with an open mind and prepare to have the most pivotal years of your life. Soak up every experience possible, &#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":687,"featured_media":12847,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"advgb_blocks_editor_width":"","advgb_blocks_columns_visual_guide":"","wds_primary_category":138,"footnotes":""},"categories":[138,208,210],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12846","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-alumni-series","category-first-generation-student","category-graduate-studies"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/06\/Tyler-N.png","author_info":{"display_name":"Blake Smith","author_link":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/author\/bsmith1\/"},"author_meta":{"display_name":"Blake Smith","author_link":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/author\/bsmith1\/"},"featured_img":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/06\/Tyler-N.png","coauthors":[],"tax_additional":{"categories":{"linked":["<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/category\/alumni-series\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Alumni Series<\/a>","<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/category\/first-generation-student\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">First Generation Student<\/a>","<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/category\/admission\/graduate-studies\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Graduate Studies<\/a>"],"unlinked":["<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Alumni Series<\/span>","<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">First Generation Student<\/span>","<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Graduate Studies<\/span>"]}},"comment_count":0,"relative_dates":{"created":"Posted 10 months ago","modified":"Updated 10 months ago"},"absolute_dates":{"created":"Posted on June 24, 2025","modified":"Updated on June 25, 2025"},"absolute_dates_time":{"created":"Posted on June 24, 2025 4:14 pm","modified":"Updated on June 25, 2025 8:33 am"},"featured_img_caption":"","series_order":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12846","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/687"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12846"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12846\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12902,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12846\/revisions\/12902"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12847"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12846"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12846"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/becomeatexan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12846"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}