Representing 38 percent of the institution’s total student population, Hispanics are the largest ethnic group in the Lone Star College System.
In March, the Hispanic Outlook on Higher Education Magazine named the school in its annual list of Top 25 Colleges for Hispanics. LSCS has the third most Hispanic students enrolled of any college system in the country and had the fourth highest number of associate degrees awarded in 2015: 1,717.
“Lone Star College works very hard to ensure all students succeed,” Chancellor Stephen Head said. “We will continue to make sure Lone Star College students have the resources they need to improve their lives, add to the economic vitality of our region and help our community remain strong.”
LSCS has many continuing initiatives to increase Hispanics’ success in higher education, Head said. He said the college system plans to add 500 new full-time faculty positions in the next seven years and is making an effort to hire Hispanic educators. A new initiative called “Join the LSC Familia” recruits minority educators, especially Hispanics.
In August, LSCS was awarded a $4.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education in recognition of its efforts to assist first-generation, low-income Hispanic students, according to college officials. The funds will be divided between the North Harris and Tomball campuses to improve the academic achievement of their Hispanic students.
The Title V grant, which will be distributed during the next five years, is intended to be used to expand educational opportunities for Hispanic students and help traditionally underserved students complete postsecondary degrees.
As part of LSC-North Harris’ new “Mi Casa Es Su Casa” program, a parent academy educates parents on how to finish their own high school equivalency requirements, search for jobs and access classes on campus.
Advisers at LSC-Tomball will provide career awareness and extended one-on-one time with students to cater to their needs better. A hybrid English for Speakers of Other Languages course at LSC-Tomball will help students spend less money by completing courses in less time.
“The project employs a variety of resources and programming to design and create a positive learning community specifically targeted toward Hispanic and traditionally underserved students,” Head said. “The project empowers all students to understand that they do belong in college and pushes them to take ownership in their college and campus community.”
