Lynn was hired as the Coordinator of Accounts Payable and Receivable in 2000, and Amanda grew up on Union’s campus — attending many events and holiday gatherings, studying at the library, working summer orientations, spending time in her mom’s office, and ribbing Lynn’s boss, Steve Hoskins. 

“He and I just picked at each other all the time,” Amanda laughs.

Lynn worked with Steve for over 18 years until his untimely death in 2019. During that time, he became a significant influence in both Lynn and Amanda’s lives. His support helped Lynn believe in her own potential, and after a couple of years at Union, she began the journey toward completing her own bachelor’s degree. 

[PHOTO: Steve Hoskins]

“He was my biggest cheerleader,” Lynn says. “He just kept pushing me and encouraging me to continue and get it done. Now, I strive to cheer on others in their educational pursuits.” 

Taking classes part-time alongside her full-time job and family responsibilities, it took Lynn eight years to complete her bachelor’s degree. By that time, she had supported many Union commencement ceremonies from behind the scenes and had been there to applaud the graduating seniors year after year.  

“Already having the connection here, it was a really special experience to have finally completed my degree and be graduating versus sitting in the audience. It was a big deal to me,” Lynn says.

It was a big deal to Steve, too. He and Lynn’s husband, Tony, planned a surprise party for her to celebrate her achievement.

“Steve was always the professional, a hard-nose, I guess you’d call it,” Lynn says, “but on that day, he hugged me and congratulated me and said he was so happy and proud for me. He was a very important person to me, and he was a role model for everyone who came in contact with him.”

[PHOTO: Lynn's 2011 commencement ceremony]

Amanda adds, “We probably wouldn’t be in our roles where we are now, if it weren’t for Steve.”

The same month that Lynn walked across that stage and became the first person in her family to obtain a college degree, Amanda graduated from high school. Having witnessed her mom’s years of determination and dedication, she knew that she, too, wanted to pursue post-secondary education.

“Union holds the employees’ hands through their journey here,” Lynn says. “The tuition policy has changed a few times, but it's always been a benefit of some sort, and if employees take advantage of that, it's life altering. It changes the trajectory of their life, in my opinion.”

“I never dreamed I would be where I sit today,” Lynn continues, “and there are stories all across this campus just like mine.” 

Amanda went on to work as a nurse, just as she had hoped, and the more she cared for her patients, the more her passion for the field grew. She built her career while getting married, starting a family, and pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing Education (MSN) at Chamberlain University. During the same period, Union launched and developed the Edna Jenkins Mann School of Nursing and hired Dr. Marisa Greer as faculty, and later Dean, of the School of Nursing, Health, and Natural Sciences.

[PHOTO: Lynn helps Amanda prepare for her wedding to Richard Hensley on Union's campus. Amanda and Richard now have three children together: Eli, Jacob & Tanner.]

Without knowing Amanda was related to Lynn, Dr. Greer graciously agreed to serve as Amanda’s preceptor for the MSN program. Amanda finished her clinical hours at Union in 2018, and just two months later, a faculty position opened up in the nursing program. Amanda applied and was hired.

“I feel like I was meant to be at Union, and God opened that door for me,” Amanda says. 

“Steve Hoskins told me I’d gone to the dark side when I became faculty!” Amanda laughs.

With Lynn’s recent promotion, she moved into Steve’s old office, and she and Amanda are frequently reminded of him in their work. They are proud of the ways they get to make a positive impact at Union, just as they saw and experienced Steve making such a positive impact on everyone around him.

“I love nursing, and I love when my students start their first IV or give their first shot,” Amanda says. “Seeing how excited they get when they successfully complete that skill or when their patient tells them what a difference they made for them that day is worth everything to me.”

[[PHOTO: Amanda representing the Edna Jenkins Mann School of Nursing]

“My favorite part of working at Union is telling folks, do you know about this benefit? Do you know about that benefit?” Lynn says. “That’s the constant at Union. If someone on campus has a need, we will come together and figure out a way to meet that need.”

Whether it's through institutional support like the tuition benefits, the individualized education provided to students, or the personal connections between employees, Lynn and Amanda are happy to help continue Union’s traditions of care for the Bulldog community. It’s a way to give back to the Union family what Union has given to their family.