Tribute to Women: Holli Easley
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photo by shane darby
“ I thrive on the opportunity to assist others and take great joy in being an integral part of a team.”
In her position as allied health coordinator at Texarkana College, Holli Easley loves supporting all types of students, but she is most fulfilled by her work with the young women who walk into her office.
“The allied health programs are often a place where single moms come to advance their careers and get started in the medical field,” she said. “Changing the lives of young, single mothers has been a pivotal part of fulfilling my heart as the allied health coordinator.”
Holli is proudest of the role she was able to play in the life of a particular CNA student, who “had gone through a traumatic experience while taking the program,” she explained. “She pushed through to take her state exam and is now working as a CNA. While I cannot take credit for her hard work and dedication, watching her and helping her get to that point has truly been the crowning achievement. Her motivation stemmed from a desire to support her family, and I was honored to assist her in reaching that important milestone.”
As a mother of two and once a nontraditional student herself, Holli relates to the parents who return to school with mouths to feed. Her own greatest challenge, she said, was returning to college while raising her children and working a full-time job.
“As cliché as it sounds, [my children] are the reason I wanted to go back to school,” she said. “I wanted them to have everything in life and wanted them to see that they can do hard things.”
Holli had her eldest child, Hudson, when she was 21. His birth was “a transformative experience that changed my life for the better in countless ways,” she said. “It instilled in me a profound sense of responsibility and purpose, and it motivated me to strive for a brighter future—for both of us. Then my daughter, London, came along three years later. They are the reason for everything that I do.”
Even with the support of Justin, her husband of 18 years, balancing her many responsibilities while completing her degree “required immense dedication and resilience,” Holli reflected. “I developed strong time-management skills and prioritized my commitments, often studying late into the night after the kids were asleep. Ultimately, I emerged not only with my degree but also with a deeper understanding of my own strength and the ability to overcome obstacles.”
Holli spends her free time with her children, Hudson and London. submitted photo.
It is this type of self-discovery and confidence that Holli wants for all of the students she supports. As a member of the TC Student Activities Committee, she serves the entire student body, hosting campus events that “encourage all students to be a part of the Texarkana College family,” she said. Additionally, she serves with the Pleasant Grove Cheer Booster Club, supporting the cheer team of which her daughter is a part. Holli said that both of these volunteer positions enrich her life.
“I thrive on the opportunity to assist others and take great joy in being an integral part of a team,” she said. “At my core, I am a natural helper.”
In her free time, Holli loves being outdoors, watching reality television, and most especially reading—an activity she has enjoyed since the fourth grade. Her teacher, Sue Harvey, inspired this lifelong passion. “Reading has taken me further in life and become one of my favorite hobbies,” she said.
FSLM ASKED HOLLI:
What’s something most people don’t know about you? I love to decorate. I’m always changing things up in my house.
What book are you currently reading? The Fourth Wing series by Rebecca Yarros and The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins.
Name a woman you admire. Dr. Loren Robinson delivered an incredibly inspiring speech at the Women in Business Conference a few years ago. Her story of balancing the challenges of being a working mother while achieving remarkable success resonated deeply with me and left a lasting impression.
HOW TIFFANY PUMPHREY SEES HOLLI:
“As my grandmother would always tell me, ‘You never know who’s watching you.’ I would like to respectfully pay tribute to Holli Easley. I have watched Holli in her profession as the coordinator of allied health at Texarkana College. My first encounter with Holli was when I started at Texarkana College about two and a half years ago. Her presence and smile are a perfect blend of warmth and peace that inspire others. She carries herself with dignity, knowing her worth, and refusing to settle for anything less. I have directed many students to her for assistance, and the results are always the same: they are happy and very pleased after experiencing her exceptional interpersonal skills. She leads with both strength and compassion while extending kindness to others. Her contribution helps capture the changes we see within Texarkana College. Holli is a driven and strong woman leading by example in our community. She is showing us all what it means on how to balance success while giving back.”