At 27 years old, Alexa Lumpkin has already learned that life rarely follows a straight path. Sometimes, the direction you thought you were headed in changes, or unexpected challenges force you to reconsider what comes next.
For Alexa, that journey has taken her from studying kinesiology and considering a career in physical therapy to coaching basketball, teaching, entrepreneurship, and graduate school. Today, she owns a spa and skincare line, helps care for her mother, and is completing her final class in Abilene Christian University’s (ACU) online Master of Science in Precision Medicine program.
Through every transition, Lumpkin has continued to learn more about herself, what she wants and what she is capable of achieving. And if there is one lesson she hopes others take from her story, it is simple: “Show up for yourself.”
A New Direction
Lumpkin earned her undergraduate degree in kinesiology from the University of Houston with plans to become a physical therapist. But while she was still an undergraduate student, life took an unexpected turn when her mother began experiencing serious health problems.
What was initially thought to be back spasms turned out to be multiple myomas. Her mother underwent back surgery and was unable to walk for about a year. Lumpkin stepped into a caregiving role, supporting her mother through that season and helping make changes to her diet. Today, her mother is in remission and has regained her ability to walk and even exercise again.
As Lumpkin continued moving forward in life, her professional interests also evolved. She spent time coaching basketball and working in education before discovering another path that excited her: entrepreneurship.
Becoming Her Own Boss
In 2023, Lumpkin opened her own spa and launched a skincare line. Starting a business allowed her to take charge of her future and create something on her own. It also helped her recognize that the career she once imagined for herself is no longer the one she wanted.
When Lumpkin first considered graduate school, she envisioned a future in medicine and cosmetology and enrolled in ACU’s M.S. in Precision Medicine in hopes of becoming a dermatologist. Over time, however, as she continues to run her spa and skincare line, her goals continue to shift. Lumpkin realized how much she enjoyed being in charge and building her own business.
“I like all things skincare, especially now that I have my skincare line, but I fell in love with being my own boss,” she shared.
She decided to continue earning her graduate degree because her spa was expanding and was looking to hire nurses, massage therapists and dermatologists. She hopes that her graduate degree can lend a hand when needed to properly support staff and continue creating relaxing experiences for her clientele.
Learning While Building a Business
Balancing graduate school with everything else in her life could have felt overwhelming, but Lumpkin describes her time with ACU as a “smooth ride.” The beginning required some adjustments, but once she became familiar with the structure of her online classes, she established a rhythm.
“I like how ACU has all classes start on Tuesday and that discussions are due on Thursday and assignments due on Monday,” Lumpkin explained. “It’s not random dates, and they let me know when things are due.”
For Alexa, knowing what to expect has helped her balance school alongside her other responsibilities. But her ACU experience has given her more than a schedule to follow. It has also challenged her to be more intentional about how she learns.
“The resource classes with mentors have helped me become better at research, or a better learner,” Lumpkin said.
That growth has become particularly evident through her research application courses in the precision medicine program. The research application coursework includes five parts: identifying a research problem, conducting a literature review, analyzing datasets, writing a research report and presenting the findings to a panel of faculty. Each term, Lumpkin works on a different component until the pieces eventually become one larger project.
For her research project, Lumpkin has chosen to focus on ovarian cancer, and she’s currently in her last class in the program.
Looking Toward What’s Next
As Lumpkin approaches the end of her program, her attention is also turning toward the future of her business. Within the next year or so, she hopes to make her dream of expanding a reality.
Lumpkin’s interest in entrepreneurship has also made her curious about how other leaders have successfully grown their businesses. One person she would love to speak with is the CEO of H-E-B to learn more about how the company grew. That curiosity reflects one of the most important ways Lumpkin believes her education has changed her. She sees herself as more of a learner and now approaches decision-making more thoroughly, recognizing how continued learning can help her become a stronger business owner.
Lumpkin’s story is also a reminder that education does not always have to lead to one predetermined destination. Plans can evolve. Interests can change. New opportunities can emerge along the way. What matters is continuing to learn from each experience and having the courage to pursue the direction that feels right for you.
Her advice to prospective students is rooted in what she has learned through her own experience.
“The way to get out of that fear is to just do it,” she said. “I think anyone can go to school; it just takes discipline and holding yourself accountable.”
If you’re interested in a career in precision medicine or want to further your education online, visit our website to learn more about ACU’s online programs.