This week, UNT Dallas celebrates its college graduation with all its grandeur and tradition.
Among the graduates is Angelica Gossett-Azbell, who earned her Masters of Science in Criminal Justice. For her, this achievement holds significant personal meaning.
Growing up in Oak Cliff within the Child Protective Services system, Gossett-Azbell’s parents had a history of incarceration due to drug-related offenses. Despite the expectations placed upon her to follow a similar path, she was determined to chart her own course.
Motivated by her upbringing and a desire to help children facing similar challenges, Gossett-Azbell pursued a degree in Criminal Justice. She sees education as the guiding force that provided her with the foundation she lacked growing up.
During the hooding ceremony, Gossett-Azbell was surrounded by her mentor, husband, and father, whose presence symbolized support and transformation. However, her mother, currently incarcerated for drug-related charges, was unable to attend.
Looking ahead, Gossett-Azbell plans to pursue her PhD with the goal of becoming a professor, aspiring to inspire others who face similar adversities.
For her, earning her degree represents not only personal accomplishment but also a sense of security and stability that no one can take away.
Gossett-Azbell will join her fellow graduates at the UNT Dallas Commencement Ceremony on March 14.
