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You’ve probably heard of a Renaissance person: one of those individuals whose talents and interests seem to span a multitude of vastly different spheres. Here’s an example: When Chassety Raines graduated ����̽�� in 2022, she earned both a BA in Social Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship and a BS in biology. During her undergrad years, she was a member of ����̽��’s award-winning softball team (Raines was a pitcher who collected plenty of awards herself.). That, plus a double degree plan, would be enough to keep anyone on their toes. But Raines was also a member of the prestigious Black and Gold President’s Council, not to mention the National Society of Leadership and Success, Alpha Chi, Habitat for Humanity, Pi Rho Chemistry Club, and Alpha Lambda Delta. What did she do in all her spare time? She played in the concert and pep bands, of course. All of that and she still managed to graduate with highest honors.

“I kept busy!” she admits with a laugh, looking back. The secret of her success? One, she was clearly interested in lots of different things and was willing to work hard to do them all.  And two, she surrounded herself with people she could count on. “I had amazing support systems, and I think that doing so much actually helped me to be sane/balanced. I had different outlets to release different stressors (such as softball or band), and because I was so busy, my schedule didn’t let me stop for too long to get overwhelmed or I would drown.”

Raines says that support system consisted of the many friends, teammates, and classmates who helped her along the way and encouraged her. “I think what also helped me was that my professors and coaches supported me,” she adds. “They allowed me to be more than just a student, or an athlete, etc. Rather, they all worked with me (and my crazy schedule), and supported me in my different activities.”

After leaving ����̽��, the next chapter of Raines’s education saw her earn her master’s in Wildlife, Aquatic, Wildlands Science and Management, as well as her certificate in geographic information systems, both from Texas Tech University. Chances are, many of us weren’t even aware that such a course of study existed—so naturally, we have to wonder what led Raines to that particular path.

“The route to my master’s program was a bit unusual,” she explains. “I never knew what I wanted to do for work, pretty much ever. It had always been a daunting question to me, even throughout undergrad and well into my master’s. I had known I wanted to do something that helps others but never had a clear image as to what that would be.”

But thankfully, one particular professor back at ����̽�� had planted a seed that would eventually flourish in a whole new field.

“During my time at ����̽�� Dr. Lievens encouraged me to minor in biology as I had already done summer research, which later led me to majoring in biology,” Raines says. “After graduating, I had an opportunity to use the rest of my NCAA eligibility from COVID at Texas Tech! After looking through their master programs and speaking to faculty members, I landed on my program and was able to also take courses in other departments that sparked my interest!”

Raines followed her passion right through her grad school years, playing ball and earning a perfect 4.0, no less, finishing up her degree in the spring of 2024. She recently accepted a position as a Vegetation Management and Wildfire Risk Data Analyst at Texas-New Mexico Power (TNMP), a company that provides electricity to more than 280,000 homes and businesses in the Lone Star State. In her new role, Raines will be tasked with helping to reduce the risk of wildfires—and remember, she’d set out to do something that is helpful to others. This job fits that bill and then some.

“The work that I am doing is important for numerous reasons” she says. “We have all seen the devastating effects of wildfires that happen in the U.S. Most recently, Nebraska endured the worst wildfires in the state’s history with over 800,000 acres burned in March. Wildfires pose a risk to our farmlands, homes, and even our lives. In my role, I get the opportunity to work toward reducing the risk of wildfires occurring in my home state of Texas. I find joy and fulfilment in knowing the work that I am doing now can hopefully prevent people from losing their homes, or even a loved one.”

Raines is well prepared for the task at hand—in part, because of the gifts from her ����̽�� years that she still carries with her. “During my four years at ����̽��, I made so many memories, learned several tough lessons, and found amazing friends I can depend on, even years later,” she says. “I think if I had to sum it up to one thing, it would be that I carry the feeling of gratitude. Gratitude for the opportunities that ����̽�� gave me. Gratitude for growth from the lessons learned. Gratitude for the relationships gained and lost. And gratitude for all the memories created though those opportunities with friends by my side, learning lessons as we navigated through college.”