Midland College grad enjoys mentoring university studentsMay 19, 2020

In 2007, Rebekah Karth Chojnacki traveled 23 hours on a Greyhound bus to be able to attend Midland College (MC).

“My father had taken a job in Midland with Key Energy,” Chojnacki recalled.  “We were living in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and my mother had to stay there to take care of selling the house.  Midland College classes were about to start, so I took a bus from Grand Rapids to Midland.  I was 17 and had lived in Michigan all my life; it was really hot when I arrived in Midland in late August!”

However, Chojnacki didn’t let the dry, warm climate interfere with her making the most of her Midland College experience.  She was an active member of the MC Student Government Association, the student newspaper staff, Students in Philanthropy and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.  During her second year at MC, she served as president of the Student Government Association, editor-in-chief of the student newspaper and a peer tutor.

Chojnacki graduated from Midland College in 2009 as an honor graduate.   The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation recognized Chojnacki as a Gold Leaders of Promise Scholar, an honor which included a continuance scholarship to the University of Texas, Arlington (UTA).

“I had a great experience at Midland College,” Chojnacki said.  “In fact Midland College was instrumental to my future success in higher education.  I think it is because of Midland College that I chose a career in higher education.”

Upon graduating from Midland College, Chojnacki transferred to UTA majoring in Public Relations.  After obtaining her bachelor’s degree with honors, she continued at UTA to receive a master’s degree in Communications.  She recently completed a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from UTA and is currently working as the assistant director of the UTA Honors College and as an adjunct professor.  Her responsibilities include advising students with degree progression, structuring the Honors College curriculum, assessing outcomes and teaching research courses.

Chojnacki is one of three siblings who all graduated from Midland College.  Her younger sister Susannah and her younger brother Levi are also among MC alumni.  In fact, Susannah followed in Rebekah’s footsteps as president of the MC Student Government Association.  The family no longer resides in Midland, but while living in town, all nine children volunteered at the Friends of the Library bookstore.  Their mother Marianne worked for the Midland County Public Library.

In May 2013, Rebekah married John Chojnacki, a native of Fort Worth.  John is a network analyst for NTT in Dallas.

Today, the couple, along with their cat named Q, enjoys life in the DFW Metroplex.  When the Covid-19 pandemic quarantine is lifted, Rebekah is looking forward to once again practicing Taekwondo, a sport in which she currently holds a brown belt designation.  She also volunteers in the Arlington community and with various UTA campus outreach programs.

Dr. Chojnacki said that it all started with Midland College:  “I absolutely loved my college experience at MC!  I really liked working with other students in the Student Government Association, the student newspaper and Students in Philanthropy.  I had great professors and advisors at MC who not only taught the course material, but also took the time to guide and help me discover my talents and potential.  I guess that’s what made me decide that I wanted a career in a college environment where I am able to serve as a teacher and mentor to students.”

Photo:  Dr. Rebekah Karth Chojnacki (left) and Dr. Terry Gilmour (right) on the campus of University of Texas, Arlington, April 2019. Dr. Gilmour was advisor of the MC Student Government Association during the time that Chojnacki was president of the association.