Alumni Spotlight- Mary Adele Philips

“Nursing chose me as much as I chose nursing.”

From assisting her grandmother with delivering twins into the family to dedicating 43 years to clinical experience, A&M-Texarkana alumna and current Master of Science in Nursing-Nursing Administration student, Mary Adele Philips, sees nursing as more than her career—it’s her life’s calling.

“Nursing is a calling on my family and what God has placed us on this earth to do. He called, equipped, and anointed us to be healers. It’s in the fabric of our DNA.”

Mary Adele’s great-great grandmother, great grandmother, and grandmother were all nurses. Mary Adele devoted seven years and 10 months to caring for her own mother, a nurse aide, before her recent passing. “The time with my mother was sacred. It deepened my empathy and reminded me that healing happens not in hospitals, but in the day-to-day moments of presence and love.”

Both her daughters are nurses, as well as two of her nieces, along with an uncle and his son. “Growing up in a lineage of strong compassionate nurses instilled in me a deep respect for this calling.”

It was her faith and family that fueled Mary Adele to pursue and complete her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at A&M-Texarkana, graduating in 2024, after decades of serving as a Registered Nurse.

“Right after COVID, I returned to work in the dialysis unit at Wadley. I thought, ‘I’m a registered nurse, and I’ve been a registered nurse, but I knew there was more to it than this. So, I decided to come to A&M Texarkana. My faith and my family and knowing that this journey was not over was a motivating factor. My family has been my anchor. They’ve cheered me on, made space for my dreams, and reminded me that this degree isn’t just mine; it’s ours.”

Choosing A&M-Texarkana to continue her nursing education came naturally for Mary Adele, a Texarkana native with strong community connection. “A&M-Texarkana felt like home from the beginning. I chose it because of its strong nursing reputation, its support for working students, and the fact that it’s deeply rooted in the community I love.”

As a House Supervisor for CHRISTUS Health Pine Street, full-time student, and proud family matriarch, she’s managed a delicate balance, often writing papers from sundown to sunrise, after completing hospital rounds. Even through technical hiccups and self-doubt, Mary Adele persevered. “There were nights I questioned if I could keep up. I’d remind myself this dream didn’t expire_; it just waited until I was ready.”

At seventy-years young, Mary Adele often found herself in classrooms with students younger than her grandchildren. She also witnessed working mothers and second-career students who “showed up every day with perseverance and grace.” “I’ve found peers who remind me that age is no barrier to purpose. My cohorts are warriors. We carry each other across the finish line. I am extremely proud to be a TAMUT Eagle! The sky is not the limit! I am confident for this cause; I can SOAR higher and higher.”  

Along with her family and friends, Mary Adele attributes the A&M-Texarkana faculty for not only challenging but championing her throughout her journey. “One professor gave me grace during a tough semester and reminded me that wisdom earned from the field is just as valuable as any exam score. Another professor I told one day, ‘I’m going to drop this course, I just can’t do it.’ Her answer to me was, ‘Yes, you can do it. Drop it if you want to, but you can do this.’ I finished her class with a 100%. I’m so grateful that she pushed me, even further than my own limits, and I came out on top!”

For Mary Adele, her hometown is more than her zip code, it’s her heartbeat and where she serves. “From mentoring young nurses to participating in local events, my connection to this community fuels my purpose. My life experience, through triumphs and trials, has made me a more empathetic nurse.”

“Forever 39” is Mary Adele’s personal mantra and she believes we are as young as we feel. “I have made up my mind that my life is not over until it’s over. I intend to live mine to the fullest. Age should never be the determining factor for anything you do. It should always be about, ‘This is what I am born into the earth to do and do it to the fullest.' Your life experience is not your limitation; it’s your superpower!”

Planning to complete her MSN-Nursing Administration degree in December 2025, Mary Adele’s eyes are set on another great milestone, continuing her education in a doctoral program. “It’s not just about another degree. It’s about multiplying my impact—for my patients, for future nurses, and for the community I love.”