Pathways to Success: How Community College Access Impacted An Entire Texas Family

Community colleges are a vital resource for the future of Texas, providing students the support they need to succeed in the 21^st century workforce. That’s why our state’s leadership has deepened their investment in these important institutions in recent years. House Bill 8, passed in 2023, rewards colleges for achieving strong student outcomes aligned with the ability to earn a self-sustaining wage. And Senate Bill 1786, affirmed this year by both chambers with overwhelming bipartisan support, builds upon the success of that legislation by further expanding outcomes funding for community colleges and dual credit opportunities for high schoolers.

Brandon Payne is an adult learner (a growing population of students for whom HB8 awards increased benefits for serving) who experienced the transformative impact of community college. A student at Navarro College's Waxahachie campus, he has received the support he needed to make a significant career change, paving the way for a brighter future for both his career and his family. Payne’s story underscores the positive outcomes community colleges can continue to achieve with the backing of HB 8, preparing students to become professionals in their fields.

Tell us about your career before enrolling in Navarro College.

I joined the Army in 2003. In 2004, I started a deployment to go to Iraq for the first time. Right in the beginning of January of 2005 we got to Iraq, and I stayed there for the whole year. And then I had another deployment with the Army later on, in 2008. One of my best friends was working in Baghdad doing diplomatic security at the embassy there, and it was familiar work, so I applied, and I got it, and I went and did that in 2010. I took two years off when my daughter was born in 2013, and I went back in 2015, and I worked there until 2022 after I'd got all my prerequisites done for nursing. In May of 2022, I came home, and I started the nursing program in August.

What inspired you to change careers?

The big inspiration for changing careers was wanting to be home. I have an 11-year-old daughter and pretty much have been gone other than the first two years of her life. And then we adopted our nieces, so that added two more kids to the picture. And I was never here. I just really needed to find something so I could be home for my family, help my wife and my kids, and just be here.  

How has your future been transformed by attending Navarro College?

Through attending Navarro, my future has been transformed by stability and my presence. It keeps me here at home. We have a stable family work-life balance, so that my kids get to see both of their parents on a daily basis. It's also helped set up our future so we can provide better for our kids. It sets a good example for my teenagers, and then my 11-year-old once she gets around to college age.

It is a good program. I mean, I learned what I needed to know to pass my National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX)and get my license. They got me there, but they really home in on professionalism. It wasn’t just about nursing skills; it was about being a professional because you’re dealing with people at the worst time of their lives. They want someone they can be confident in to take care of them—maturity and professionalism.  

What attracted you to this field?

Part of what attracted me was the high demand. We had discussed moving, and anywhere I go, I pretty much have a job. So, that was one of the big things was job security. I was leaving a good career that I had worked at for a long time, so when I made a change, I needed to know it was going to be there when I needed it. I can go anywhere, and I can do so many different things, from home health to hospice, working in a hospital, or a regular doctor's office. I mean there's all kinds of nurses. I am still finding out about them.  

What’s next for you?

I’m going to get my bachelors of Science in nursing degree, so right now I'm accepted to Texas Tech. It’s online, and it’s their School of Health. It's a two-semester program, so then I'll be done in December.  

What would you tell other people who are considering a Texas community college?

I would say community colleges help get your foot in the door. Even at community colleges, they expect more out of you.

Learn more about how community college access impacted Brandon Payne and his family here.

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