Deandre’ Knoxson: A Community’s Investment Breathes Life into A Rising Leader

Back in 2012, DeAndre’ Knoxson was a bright-eyed College of the Mainland student who could regularly be found seated in a Process Technology (PTEC) classroom, eager to learn and ready to make the community around him a better place. Now, you’ll find him in a seat of a different kind – at the dais of the council chambers as one of Texas City’s newest commissioners.

Growing up the oldest of nine siblings in public housing on the south side of Texas City, Knoxson’s journey from pupil to politician was definitely not an easy one. “I know how it feels not to have everything,” he recalled.

But he defied the odds by becoming a first-generation college graduate who now holds a seat in one of the most powerful positions in his community as the Texas City, Commissioner of District 1. For him, knowing that the watchful eyes of his siblings were upon him pushed him to want better not only for himself but for those coming after him.

“It doesn’t matter where you come from,” Knoxson said. “It’s where you’re going.”

Knoxson’s leadership potential and innate ambition were apparent at an early age. As a Texas City High School student, he was a constant fixture in a variety of leadership development and extracurricular activities including his local Juneteenth committee, student council, football, track and field, and swimming. It was here that he realized the importance of community engagement and was introduced to a strong network of community leaders who guided him along the way.

“Outside of my parents doing a great job raising me, I had great community leaders – individuals who actually gave back and showed that they cared about us,” DeAndre’ recounts. “There are so many different paths that I could have gone down, but I didn’t. So, I really thank them for that.”

It was this desire to forge his own purposeful path in his community that led Knoxson to pursue a career as a process operator, a field fueled by the region’s thriving petrochemical industry. 

Recognizing the longstanding and impressive reputation of the PTEC program, he knew that College of the Mainland was the perfect fit for him.

“I remember I was hooked after the first Intro to Process Technology class,” Knoxson said.

He credits the COM PTEC program for preparing him to work in the field through hands-on labs and classroom instruction. Here, he trained alongside industry professionals which allowed him to ultimately transition into the rewarding career path that he loves today.

“We have professionals who know what it’s like to do shiftwork, turn the valves and work the board,” Knoxson said. “We also have a Glycol Separation Unit (GSU), so we get a good sense of what it’s like to work in the industry.”

Upon earning his Associate of Applied Science in Process Technology in 2015, he worked briefly in banking before deciding to return to his PTEC roots to now work as a process operator at LyondellBasell.

Never one to stop learning, he later returned to COM to pursue a second degree in general studies – an intentional choice to prepare him for university transfer where he could pursue his bachelor’s degree.

While at COM, he took full advantage of many opportunities to maximize his leadership potential by serving as a team captain for intramural flag football, Process Technology Club treasurer and secretary, and Minority Men for Excellence president.

“Being the president helped me sharpen my skills as a leader,” Knoxson said. “I felt an obligation to complete my degree to show the club that perseverance pays off.”

Earning his second degree from COM in 2022 was only one of many accomplishments for the COM alum. When he was 19, Knoxson started the Sting-to-Sting Scholarship for Texas City High School students and is also one of the youngest people to be appointed to the Housing Authority of the City of Texas City. Most recently, he was selected as one of Galveston Daily News’ 40 Under 40 honorees, an accolade he was not expecting, but is still very proud of.

“It was an incredible moment for me because the things I have been doing haven’t gone unnoticed,” he said.

And while his accomplishments are vast, for Knoxson, the real work has only just begun. Since being elected as a commissioner last year, he has hit the ground running and is committed to continue paying it forward like his own mentors who came before him.

“I just want to do my part now,” Knoxson said. “I truly care about this community. I grew up here. I currently still live here. This is my home. I really want to make a difference here.”