KILLEEN, Texas — Chuck Simmons began his professional career and pursuit of higher education back in the 1970s, working the evening shift for the Houston Police Department while attending Sam Houston State University in Huntsville three days a week.
"The routine was you get out of high school, you get a job," Simmons said. "People living in my area, there wasn't no college, it was rare."
As Simmons juggled marriage, and eventually three kids, his pursuit of higher education faded away. Instead, he dedicated 25 years of his life to the department, making a name for himself on the force and retiring as a sergeant.
"It was a fantastic job and I enjoyed it," Simmons said.
After he retired, Simmons bounced around to several other jobs in the Houston area, working at the old Greenway Plaza as head of security for the Houston Rockets, then to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice where he worked as an investigator for crimes within the prison system for nearly two years. He had other jobs along the way before he finally retired in 2007.
After his wife passed away, Simmons moved to Huntsville where he lives to this day. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, he said "A lightbulb went off."
"I didn't have anything else to read so I thought I would finish my degree online," Simmons said.
After speaking with his grandson and his new wife, who had graduated from Texas A&M-Central Texas, Simmons enrolled in 2022, needing 60 hours of credits to graduate.
Splitting his time during the first semester between Blinn College and TAMU-Central Texas, Simmons went off to pursue his degree in criminal justice, with plenty of help along the way.
"They have departments set up, a writing center, administrative services, no matter your questions you can get in touch with somebody," Simmons said. "They'd say 'Chuck, you need anything? If I can help you, we're here to pass people not fail them.'"
Coming up on two years at TAMU-Central Texas, Simmons is now preparing to walk across the stage and graduate with a degree in Criminal Justice in May.
"I feel so fortunate, I'm so proud that I have been able to accomplish this," Simmons said.
With a new breadth of knowledge, Simmons said the experience at TAMU-Central Texas has even given him a new perspective on the career he dedicated 30 years of his life to.
"You get to look at the history and you see why it's wrong and you learn about it," Simmons said.
With three generations of family by his side, Simmons will walk across the stage on May 11 and fulfill his goal of becoming a college graduate. He hopes, setting the standard for generations to come in the process.
"Their papa felt it was important enough to go to college and I encourage them and I'll tell them 'you need to do this,'" Simmons said. "So it's really going to be just a great family occasion."
Even after receiving his diploma, Simmons said he won't be done with school. He plans to pursue his Master's Degree in homeland security at the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M-College Station.
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