For many working professionals seeking to complete their college degrees, Osvaldo “Oz” Dominguez plays a key role in their journey at Texas Tech University. As assistant director and advisor for the university’s $10K Degree Completion program at Texas Tech DFW, Dominguez supports students as they navigate returning to higher education.
Dominguez, a Texas Tech graduate who earned degrees in Spanish and political science in 2020, understands the challenges students face. Raised by immigrant parents who did not advance past eighth grade, he lacked role models for higher education and learned about college opportunities only in high school. He eventually chose Texas Tech after encouragement from a cousin working in the oil field.
Reflecting on his own experience, Dominguez said, “My parents knew education was something that was going to be a cornerstone but with no real background to guide me on what that would look like as far as a formal education.”
His firsthand knowledge of overcoming barriers has informed his approach as an advisor. Many students in the $10K Degree Completion program are older adults—on average 41 years old—returning to finish their degrees while balancing work and family responsibilities. Dominguez noted the importance of understanding their unique needs: “There are a ton of students we have that this is the first time they’re using a computer to go to school… Technology has advanced, but oftentimes they also come into my office with some type of baggage from the last time they attended college, so I always take the opportunity to change that negative perspective.”
He emphasizes giving online students the same level of attention as those on campus in Lubbock. “Being able to field questions for the students is what we do as advisors,” he said.
Cheryl Holtman, who enrolled in the $10K program at age 54 and became its first graduate among Texas Tech employees, credits Dominguez with her success. She recalled, “I said, ‘Oz, that’s a lot of work. I just don’t know if I can complete everything in time’ — he didn’t even blink… He said, ‘You can do it,’ just matter-of-factly… After a few months, I was also sure I could do it. So, in a way, he believed in me first.”
During orientation sessions for new cohorts, students share their backgrounds and challenges. Dominguez observed how these moments foster connection: “Every single one of that first cohort had a completely different story from the other, but they all left really connected and supportive of each other because they acknowledged each other’s struggles… There are tears shed because it definitely can be a little overwhelming. But we see students immediately bond with each other.”
Rachel Minshew, student success director for the $10K program and Dominguez’s supervisor, described him as central to student support: “He’s not only a fantastic advisor and recruiter but also a trusted teammate… His insight and steadiness brought so much continuity when it was needed most. I can’t imagine this program without him.”
Dominguez often assists students with complex transcript issues from multiple institutions and states. He said of one case: “Most of these students have earned a lot of hours. They’ve done the work, but they don’t have anything to show for it. So that is our job, to be there.”
He sees his role as helping nontraditional students realize their potential: “It’s amazing finding myself in a position where I’m helping nontraditional students complete their degree… To be able to truly shine that light for them and say, ‘It’s possible for you to finish your degree.’”
Cheryl Holtman summed up Dominguez’s impact: “Oz and the 10k advisors believe and speak that positive energy over the students until we understand we can believe in ourselves… It’s powerful, and I don’t even think he knows it… It’s cool.”
Dominguez concluded by reflecting on Texas Tech’s motto: “‘From Here, it’s Possible,’ has been there since before I was in school… It’s such a great slogan to have, and truthfully, it’s something we all believe.”
