“Do not be afraid of failure, it will only make you stronger and be confident.”
Lyric Richardson
Tarleton State Alumna, Class of 2020 & 2022 | First Generation Graduate
For many students, the impact they make on-campus is the highlight of their college experience. For students like Tarleton State alumna, Lyric Richardson, the greatest contribution you can make happens once you’ve entered into the real world.
Of her many accolades, one of the most important is the fact that Richardson is a first generation student whose ambitious spirit has carried her from undergraduate to graduate to PhD.
“I entered the Tarleton and Texas A&M Program for System Admission for incoming freshmen who were denied admission to TAMU as a pathway for admission to TAMU-College Station after successful completion of their first year in college at one of Texas A&M University’s System Institutions. However, shortly after my first semester I knew this was the school for me. The rich traditions, friendly people and faces made me feel at home. I came into Tarleton thinking it was nothing but a stepping stone but little did I know it would become a cornerstone,” Richardson said.
During her time at Tarleton State, Lyric was a proud member of the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority.
“I learned what true friendship is. It has been eight years since I joined AGD and four years since I became an alumni, the girls I met through this organization are still my closest friends. These girls and my family have been the biggest support for me on my best days and especially my hardest days,” Richardson shared.
Lyric earned her Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology in December 2020 and her Masters degree in Exercise Science in May 2022.
Since crossing the stage, Richardson has had the opportunity to talk about her research over the Effects of Blood Flow Restriction on Motor Unit Behavior During a Single High-Load Contraction at the Central States American College of Sports Medicine conference hosted by Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City.
Richardson is currently earning her PhD from Oklahoma State University where she also works as a Graduate Teaching Assistant teaching Motor Learning and Psychosocial Aspects of Sports and Coaching. Richardson will transition into teaching Medical Terminology and serve as a Graduate Lab Coordinator in the Fall 2024 semester.
“Working under the mentorship of Dr. Micheal Luera at Tarleton State University I gained experience and confidence in teaching through Physiology of Exercise, Exercise Testing and Prescription, and Biomechanics Labs. Tarleton and the mentorship of Dr. Luera gave me the drive and support I needed to become successful in this new chapter of my life. At OSU I have assisted in many research projects and intend on starting my dissertation project over the influence of conditioned pain modulation on neuromuscular and mechanical function of the quadriceps muscle. Working in the Human Performance Laboratory at Tarleton refined my skills as a researcher and set me up to be successful at OSU,” Richardson said.
In addition to producing meaningful research at Oklahoma State, Richardson works part-time as a Rehabilitation Technician at Stillwater Medical Center. In her role, she assists physical and occupational therapists with rehabilitation ranging from intensive care to joint replacement recovery.
“One of my most significant personal achievements has been my part-time role as a Rehabilitation Technician at Stillwater Medical Center, where I witness the remarkable progress of post-stroke patients as they regain their functions,” Richardson said.
As Lyric continues to make huge strides in the field of health and medicine, it is evident that she will never forget where it all started.
“When I first applied to Tarleton, I was asked “big fish in a small pond” or “small fish in a big pond”. At Tarleton State University, you will have the opportunity to be a big fish in a small pond, you will have more one-on-one time with professors if needed, and TSU has a great sense of community,” Richardson said.
For more information about the various degrees and programs offered at Tarleton State, visit https://www.tarleton.edu/degrees/.