Faculty Spotlight: College Counselor Dr. Lockridge

Dr. Jewel Lockridge’s desire to empower students began at a young age.

In 8th grade, Dr. Lockridge enjoyed a school field trip observing the Prairie View Interscholastic League Competition (PVILC) at Texas A&M. PVILC aimed at helping African-American students thrive in spite of disadvantages in background. After the field trip, Dr. Lockridge knew she wanted to teach home economics (now Family and Consumer Science) as a way to extend practical knowledge to young people. She completed her degree at Baylor University and then married her husband Vernon one year after graduating.

Prompted by her love of learning, her father, and her husband, Dr. Lockridge earned a M.Ed. in Vocational Education and a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology. Wanting to fully discover the spiritual elements of her public education, Dr. Lockridge earned a Master of Arts degree in Christian Ministry from Truett Seminary and started helping Live Oak when she could have stayed retired.

For many years, Dr. Lockridge directed Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergrad Programs at Baylor (GEAR UP). In her capacity, she helped over 2,500 students from 6th-12th grade prepare for college. She wanted to extend to others the vision her father had extended to her when she was young. He had told her, “Don’t think you’re better than anybody else, but remember there’s nothing you can’t do.” She loves providing tools, encouragement, and advice to students who are unsure of what they can achieve so they can understand themselves and their potential.  Yet, in spite of all her work, Dr. Lockridge humbly gives credit to God and the students for their achievements.

Dr. Lockridge keeps her husband, children, and grandchildren at the center of her attention. But she quips she earns “a D- in retirement.” Now she continues her second year at Live Oak as college counselor. Defining much of her work, she quotes, “If you knew better, you would do better.”

Dr. Lockridge loves learning, but she loves helping others learn just as much.