Monday, December 21, 2020 | Volume 2 Issue 4 |
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Greetings, Community Partners –
I hope each of you are preparing for a wonderful holiday break. 2020 has been one of the most unique and challenging years for higher education, and most importantly, the students. The service areas that our students reside were disproportionately impacted. For instance, according to the Texas Workforce Commission Unemployment Map, the number of claims filed in our LSC-HN zip codes ranged from 36 to 48 per 1000 residents. This is twice as high as LSC zip codes further north. In addition, the Harris County COVID-19 Dashboard shows that our areas, especially Acres Homes and Fairbanks, experienced significantly higher numbers of cases than other parts of the region.
However, despite these challenges, our students persevered and the first half of our second year has had some positive achievements. First, despite the aforementioned issues, we entered our second 8-week term with higher enrollment this year than the last. Currently, we are trending 51% higher in terms of spring 2021 enrollees than we had at this time during the previous year. LSC-Houston North students continued to lead the system in course success rates in fall 2020.
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In addition, we started seeing the purpose of LSC-Houston North fulfilled. Our mission was to move to being a completion-based college. We wanted our locations to be more than just a place where a person take a class or two. We wanted these locations to become places where students can earn degrees.
In just 18 months, we have ten students graduating this fall. According to state and regional accrediting standards, a student must take at least 50% of their coursework at a specific location in order to be considered a graduate of that institution. Prior to this date, any student that did graduate that attended one of our locations were consider LSC-CyFair or LSC-North Harris graduates. These are the first that are LSC-Houston North. Please see their names below.
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Mathew Acree
Certificate I - HVAC
Jonmorgan Allen
Associate of Arts - Criminal Justice
Seanmikhals Allen
Associate of Arts - Criminal Justice
Jeffrey Fyke
Certificate 1 - Human Services
Regina Landero
Associate of Arts - Liberal Arts
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Ana Cristina Lara Medrano
Associate of Arts - Liberal Arts
Fabian Urrutia
Associate of Arts - Liberal Arts
Lizbeth Urrutia
Associate of Arts - Liberal Arts
Justin Thornhill
Certificate I - HVAC
Monica Washom-Kelley
Associate of Arts - Liberal Arts
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LSC-Houston North celebrates inaugural graduation class
HOUSTON, TX - Lone Star College-Houston North awarded degrees and certifications this fall to its inaugural graduating class. LSC-Houston North, which opened in fall 2019, is the seventh college in the LSC system. "This is the proudest I have...
Read more
www.woodlandsonline.com
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We will be celebrating these graduates in multiple ways including a press release, social media campaign, and yard signs. We are looking forward to the time in which COVID-19 is over and we can return to hosting commencement ceremonies. |
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In addition, based upon early data, we are expecting 100-130 graduates this spring. This is especially exciting, for previously, very few students earned 30 credits at the locations and now we have graduates. We are a students first college, and graduates are the best way to exemplify this value.
In addition to students first, we also have a value of community matters. Through various partnerships, we have been able to be a part of some wonderful initiatives to support our service area communities. Below are a few highlights.
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Food Distribution Drives
The Aldine Greenspoint YMCA partnered with LSC-Houston North to host food distributions at our Greenspoint location. Two events were held in November and two more in December. Hundreds of families were served at each event.
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Donation to Panther Pact
Last week we received a $15,000 donation to our Panther Pact by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Houston. The purpose is to support the technology needs of our LSC-Houston North students. Read more about our Panther Pact further down in the newsletter.
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Houston City Council Member Amy Peck was gracious enough to partner with Harris County Public Health Department to provide free flu vaccines at our Victory location. There were 114 vaccines provided to the community. |
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The LSC-Houston North Faculty Senate, Professional Support Staff Association (PSSA), and CARE Centers partnered to provide 16 of our student parents (54 children) with toys for the holidays.
In addition, the Aldine-Greenspoint YMCA also provided 50 additional $50 gift cards to insure that the children of our students have Christmas gifts.
This is a much appreciated effort for many of our students often have to choose between tuition and presents for their families.
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We are also pleased with the soft opening of our Fallbrook location. We have held three Saturday registration rallies. Currently, we are in the process of taking several steps to prepare for our spring 2021 start of registration including:
- Completing the installation of audio-visual equipment in our Logistics Warehouse, Macintosh Lab, and lobby areas.
- Hiring faculty in Logistics Management, Teacher Preparation, and Computer Information Technology (Mobile App and Web Design).
- Completing the processes to be able to officially offer Game Design and Esports Management at the location. Currently, students can earn an Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Associate of Arts in Teaching and Associate of Applied Science degrees in Mobile App and Web Design and Logistics Management.
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What to look for in 2021? |
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We have a lot to look forward to in 2021. For instance, many of our renovations to our locations will be completed. These include:
- Addition of a Chemistry Lab and CARE Center at the Fairbanks location. We are also upgrading the Biology Lab.
- Addition of a welcome desk, larger meeting space, and upgrades to all internal signage in the building at our Greenspoint location.
- We plan to complete the design planning for our Victory location expansion in early 2021 so that we can break ground within the year. This will be an additional 20,000 sq ft added to this location.
- We are also expanding our precollegiate programming to include Houston North Academy programs for juniors at Aldine Senior, Benjamin Davis, Carver, Eisenhower, and Hall high schools. The Houston North Academy is a college preparatory program designed to increase college readiness among high school students.
- In addition, we are also working with LSC-North Harris on a “Dual Credit for All” initiative for Aldine ISD students. This initiative will ensure that all students graduate from Aldine ISD with at least 6 hours (two courses) of dual credit.
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We, at LSC-Houston North, are thankful to each of you for being a community partner. Your commitment improving our service area and supporting our students have enabled us to take many positive steps toward our college and community-based goals. We look forward to continuing our partnerships and doing our part to increase the personal and professional outcomes of residents in our communities.
Happy Holidays to each of you.
Sincerely,
Quentin Wright, Ed.D.
President, Lone Star College-Houston North
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Spring 2021 Registration is Open! |
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In addition to our regular registration, LSC-Houston North will also host two in-person Super Saturday events in January at ALL LSC-Houston North locations!
Saturday, January 9 and 16
9 a.m. – 2 p.m. • All LSC-Houston North locations
Talk in-person with representatives from:
- Admissions
- Advising
- Business Office
- Financial Aid
- New Student Orientation
- Testing
What to bring? Current students just need LSC ID.
New students need a form of identification.
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Panther Pact • Student Emergency Fund |
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This assistance has played a significant part in the increased retention at our locations.
If you are interested in donating, please visit our foundation page at LoneStar.edu/giving and take the following steps:
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Click “Donate” at the top of the page.
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Click “Donate Now” at the top of the next page.
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Choose the option “Give to College Programs”
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From the drop-down menu, select “LSC-Houston North Presidential Support Fund (Panther Pact)”
100% of all donations are given directly to students.
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Learn English • Aprende Inglés |
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Do you know anyone who wants to learn English? |
The LSC-Houston North ESOL program at our Fairbanks location provides an introduction to the language and culture of the English-speaking world, preparing students to successfully speak and write English for college or work. We offer courses in reading, writing, oral communication, and grammar.
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Enhance You Knowledge with Workforce and Weekend College |
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At Lone Star College-Houston North, we recognize the difficult task of obtaining your degree while balancing life’s many responsibilities, such as work and childcare. LSC-Houston North has a unique opportunity for you to do both!
Through our Weekend College, you can select from three different degree plans meeting on Saturdays from 8 a.m.– 3 p.m. Give us one day a week and in under two years, you will be graduating with your degree!
Business Administration (Management) • LSC-HN Greenspoint
Human Services (Substance Abuse Counseling) • LSC-HN Victory
Associate of Science • LSC-HN Fairbanks
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Start new or advance your career with us! Workforce programs offer buildable certifications leading to an Associate of Applied Science degree. 16-week certificates available! |
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Lone Star College-Houston North • Wraparound Services |
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Eliminating Food Insecurities
With the right structure and adequate support, our students are capable of succeeding academically and professionally.
For this reason, we have Community Assistance Resource for Everyone (C.A.R.E.) Centers that are located at all LSC-Houston North locations.
The CARE Center is open to any currently enrolled LSC-Houston North student and provides CARE bags and CARE packages that include food, toiletries, and other essentials.
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Did You Know?
At LSC-Houston North we put students first. Each first time in college student receives a faculty mentor to help guide them through their first year of college. Research indicates that effective mentoring is one of the most powerful relationships for influencing human behavior.
Sometimes, all a student need is someone to lend a caring ear. Just being able to speak to someone and share troubles, feelings, emotions and fears has a way of making these issues seem smaller. Our mentors are in place to provide guidance for our students and steer them in the right direction.
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Mentor Program-Student Testimony
“Every time she would meet with us in class or email, she would always know what to say and how to make me feel like I can go to her and ask questions. She will make sure we know that we can come to her when we are in need of something. When I asked an question in class she answered it in a way that we all can understand and gave us all the information I needed.”
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Lone Star College-Houston North • Community Spotlight |
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We love to hear about what is going on in our community.
Do you have any upcoming events, partnerships, volunteer opportunities, or inspiring stories you would like to share with us?
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We encourage our community members to follow us and tag us in any activities we may share with students.
Visit us on our various social media platforms.
You can find us by searching @LSCHoustonNorth
or clicking the direct links below.
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Lone Star College-Houston North |
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