Eric Martinez

December 2020: A 2014 graduate of LSC-CyFair’s Machining Program who wanted to be a machinist like his father, Eric Martinez believes, and has proven, that “with hard work and dedication, anything is within any person’s grasp.”

Since the military would pay for college, he started earning his Associate of Applied Science degree in 2009 as a non-traditional student taking four classes at a time while working 60-70 hours a week in various machine shops.

“My goal was to gain as much knowledge as possible about this skill craft (such as more specifics of major, minor and pitch diameters, or threads per inch.) It really helped a lot to see how the topics in the class related to real-world environment situations.”

Part of his LSC-CyFair experience included being Professor Michael Young’s lab assistant with an opportunity to help build a CNC milling machine. It also opened his eyes to teaching and led to an adjunct faculty position, which positively impacted his military career as well. He became an instructor in his unit and now teaches driver’s training and mechanic classes.

He said he joined the military after high school to be a part of something greater than himself and he went to college because knowledge is power.  “I grew up in the bad side of town and now with my blood, sweat, tears and the help of my beliefs, I am able to support my family well. And I love the fact that I can support my community and country at the same time.”

Now as full-time machining faculty at LSC-North Harris and a Sergeant in the U.S. Army Reserves, he is continuing to learn with plans to earn a bachelor’s in Business Manufacturing.

Kary Meadows

November 2020: Kary Meadows, a former non-traditional LSC-CyFair student and award-winning Team C.R.A.T.E.R. member, is currently one of the lead Teacher’s Assistants for Intro Aerospace courses at Texas A&M University.

With plans to earn a master’s in Aerospace Engineering by 2024 and ultimately start his own space company, Kary’s career goal is to “develop space missions and exploration equipment to explore that are safer, easier and more efficient for human pursuits far outside of what we have at this point by far.”

Before transferring to A&M, he earned basic credits at LSC-CyFair, first toward an Associate in Applied Science degree in Automotive Machining and later an aerospace degree. As part of Team C.R.A.T.E.R., he helped design a pivot mechanism tool that not only won top awards in the Texas Space Grant Consortium Design Challenge (TSGC) and NASA Micro-g NExT Design Challenge, but now LSC-CyFair is in the application process to patent the team’s tool. 

* Kary and team member Humberto Leal Acosta were named inventors on the patent which was officially issued in January 2022.

“I chose LSC-CyFair for its convenience as a local community college and its affordable yet robust education it provides. My experiences with Dr. Yiheng Wang’s TSGC and Micro-g teams have all been very rewarding contributions to my space objectives as an undergraduate. Working together on Team C.R.A.T.E.R. procured ideas that happen when you mix many different mindsets to find really unique solutions to issues.”

The LSC-CyFair experience also led this future astronaut hopeful to an amazing opportunity of asking questions of astronaut Bob Behnken at International Space Station! Click here to see the video with his question at 11:40 mark.

Deidra Snell-Evans

October 2020: With a passion for working with youth, Deidra Snell-Evans makes a difference with a career in the criminal justice field, specifically child sex trafficking, as an advocate for survivors.

“Though this work can be very overwhelming, the reward of watching them fulfill the goals that we set always outweigh the stress,” she said. “LSC-CyFair has played a significant role in my life because it was the start of my journey into who I am today.”

While earning her Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice at LSC-CyFair, she was a mother of a toddler and worked overnight at the Walls Unit Prison in Huntsville. Among the highlights of her “awesome” LSC-CyFair experience, was the support of students and professors in the college family she gained as a CJ Club member participating in mock trials and winning club awards.

After graduating in 2016, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Victim Studies and just this August completed her Master of Science in Victim Services Management at Sam Houston State University. In addition, she is the founder of a nonprofit program, All Kan Achieve Youth Organization, that provides teen dating violence prevention education.

She hopes to return to LSC-CyFair one day to teach or speak to students, but in the meantime her advice: “It will get hard, it will get challenging, but don’t quit! The reward is so much greater when you know you've literally put blood, sweat, and tears into it.”

Kellen Bond

September 2020: One semester at LSC-CyFair can change a student’s personal and professional life as Kellen Bond proved when he lost more than 100 pounds and decided on a military career.

As a 2018 Cy-Ridge High School graduate, he had planned to become a game developer, but after two years and in a funk, he felt he needed a new goal.

In March 2020, a short talk about weight loss in his PHED 1164 class was the necessary push that led to a happier and healthier life. Five months later, he had already dropped from 354 pounds to 250 and was shipping off to fulfill a 4-year contract in the United States Army.

He said the weight loss rocked his world. What once was thought unobtainable, seems easy. He feels better, looks better, and is living better with a goal of making the most of his life and not spending it behind a desk. He is also sure the LSC-CyFair class saved him from future health problems and affected his Army career in a positive way right off the bat.

“I’m in the best shape of my life and still losing. I chose the Army because I decided I wanted to really take it a step further and change even more. I wanted to do stuff you couldn’t do as a civilian as a career,” he said. “With my college credits, I’m starting out as an E-2, which is a rank higher than just walking in with no experience.”

Stephen Posada

August 2020: While it may look like his time at LSC-CyFair was just a stepping stone, Stephen Posada said it was the foundation of his academic journey and chosen career.

"LSC-CyFair had prepared me not only for my university level classes, but also to be in the classroom for my career. I felt like I was not only a step ahead, but several steps ahead when I started my career as a teacher."

When he graduated Cypress Woods High School in 2009, Stephen had already earned LSC-CyFair credit through the Dual Credit program. Due to unforeseen circumstances, he would return to LSC-CyFair and earn his Associate of Arts in Teaching in 2017 and bachelor's degree in 2018 as part of a 2-1 Texas Tech Teach Program.

He said LSC-CyFair's support system and collaboration with other students were phenomenal and professors, some of whom he remains in contact, were always available. He enjoyed opportunities for hands-on experience in the education field such as participation in student organization events, tutoring programs and the AAT program's field work.

With a goal of holding future administrative or higher education professor positions, Stephen currently loves being a sixth-grade science teacher in Aldine ISD, especially when his students realize they've gotten a concept and that they know he's there to completely support them.

"I wanted to help impact the youth of today for a better tomorrow, particularly in Title 1 schools because I grew up in similar environments. The relationships that I build with my students make everything worth it."

* Stephen was named a 2020-2021 Aldine ISD Teacher of the Year.

Melissa Reinsch

July 2020: A 2017 LSC-CyFair alumni, Melissa Reinsch, will begin her teaching career in the Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District where she was a Cy-Fair High School graduate.

“I am thrilled I’m going to be a first-year teacher in CFISD this fall at a Title I campus. I am looking forward to creating a student-centered learning environment where the whole child can thrive.”

Melissa said her LSC-CyFair experience was filled with endless opportunities. In addition to earning an Honors College Chancellor's Fellows associate degree, she was part of the Honors College Student Organization, Future Professional Educators and National Model United Nations.

“Some of the best experiences include diving into mindfulness meditation for Honors research projects, building a home alongside my best friend in Nicaragua, traveling all over Italy with the Honors College, and connecting with faculty (in particular Professors Esther Robinson, Carolina Ruiz and Britney Jeffrey) who genuinely cared about me and my success.”

In addition, she was awarded the Irene S. Wischer Education Foundation Scholarship which allowed her to pursue elementary education at the University of Texas College of Education.

“I knew that I wanted to be an elementary school teacher because of my experiences in CFISD’s ‘Ready, Set, Teach!’ program. I loved being in the classroom, connecting with and helping young students.”

In December 2019, she graduated debt-free with her Bachelor of Science in Applied Learning and Development.

“None of what has been achieved would have been possible without the many faculty members that make LSC-CyFair extraordinary.”

Baylee Kilgore

June 2020: With plans to pursue music professionally and not ready to financially commit to a university, Baylee Kilgore chose to earn her associate degree first at LSC-CyFair.

“Initially, I thought I would study music education. Little did I know, that I would fall head over heels in love with the fascinating art form that is opera. I want to contribute in allowing people to experience emotion that they maybe cannot express in daily life. A career goal of mine is for opera to make a radical come back within younger generations.”

While at LSC-CyFair she performed with the choir program, in many vocal masterclasses, student recitals and even a Bosque Gallery reception, all of which prepared her to transfer in 2018 to the University of North Texas College of Music.

With encouragement and guidance of LSC-CyFair professors and mentors, particularly voice teacher Dr. Zachary Bruton, she was able to decide her career path before taking big life steps. She also gained confidence to audition for music programs and conservatories, such as The Manhattan School of Music in New York, The New England Conservatory in Boston, Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia.

“I learned vocal technique that immediately allowed me to receive opera roles. I am currently performing with doctoral and graduate students, studying with Dr. Stephen Morscheck, one of the best UNT faculty voice teachers, and singing in prestigious choirs under the baton of excellent musicians.”

Operatic roles she held at UNT are The Forester’s Wife in The Cunning Little Vixen and Beatrice in Le Testament de la Tante Caroline. She also covered the roles of Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni and Regina in Regina.

Before finishing at UNT in December 2020 and enrolling in a graduate program, she will participate in the prestigious summer program run by one of opera’s biggest stars, the Dolora Zajick’s Institute for Young Dramatic Voices.

Yiheng Wang

May 2020: While engineering has always been Dr. Yiheng Wang’s field of interest, her passion for teaching was discovered in graduate school. Since joining LSC-CyFair in 2014, she and her students have reached some impressive goals.

Dr. Wang takes pride in advising LSC-CyFair’s talented, dedicated student engineering teams and witnessing their achievements in the Texas Space Consortium Grant and NASA Micro-g NeXT Design Challenges the past 5 years. Not only have the teams won 1st place in the TSCG challenges 5 times, one team’s tool design was developed for the International Space Station and used during a November 2019 spacewalk.

The design challenges are examples of how she incorporates real-world projects and skills into their engineering classes. Her goal is that students benefit from a high-quality engineering education, develop a deeper understanding of the engineering disciplines, and learn skills in critical thinking, research, communication, and project management, in additional to technical skills.

In December 2018, Dr. Wang became a U.S. citizen to expand on what she can do as an educator. Now she is better able to provide guidance and advice to international students interested in her field as well as actively participate in more government-related opportunities with her students.

“Teaching is my way of being creative and I feel fulfilled working with students. I went into teaching at community college right after I graduated in 2009 and have never regretted it."

Maryem Sheded

April 2020: When she began her academic journey at Lone Star College-CyFair in 2016 , Mareym Sheded had no idea what the future held for her and how many people would encourage and help her along the way.

“Lone Star definitely prepared me for success. Here, the faculty are present, mind and body. They pay attention to you.”

On day two of classes, her father suffered a stroke and she thought she would have to drop out of school. However, she said her EDUC professor Pushpa Rathi worked with her to continue class as well as shared all the resources the college offers to assist students in times of need.

By the second semester, she was discovering her career goal and similar passion for the criminal justice field as another professor, Jennifer Bourgeois, who became her mentor.

In addition, Maryem was soon helping her classmates serving as an ambassador for the Student Success Institute and eventually working in the Student Services department.

After two years at LSC-CyFair, she graduated with her associate degree, the first in family to do so in the United States, and this May she will have earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Criminal Justice from Sam Houston State University.

Paolo Jaime

March 2020: As a Cypress Springs High School graduate, Lone Star College-CyFair was a viable, affordable option for Paolo Jaime to begin pursuing his dream of becoming a neurologist, specifically neurotrauma intensivist, known for specialized care of patients.

With his pre-requisites done in 2016, he went on to earn his Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the UTHealth Cizik School of Nursing.

“Currently, I am an ICU nurse who is part of the stroke and chest pain committees at HCA Tomball. My favorite part about this job is the way that I can directly impact my patients and their families while working alongside doctors and learning about many different pathological processes.”

While at LSC-CyFair, he spent many hours in the Academic Success Center, studying for anatomy, microbiology, and all pre-nursing courses. He also learned he had a passion for teaching. So much so, that he became a tutor for five years – through pre-reqs, nursing classes and sometimes following an overnight clinical shift at work to ensure continuity in the tutoring he provided.

“LSC gave me the tools I needed to be a successful nursing student and helped me discover a part of myself I never knew existed - a person who loved teaching. In fact, when I finally become the doctor I want to be, I aim to come back and teach as an anatomy professor.” 

Thomas Austin

February 2020: After a 45-year career in the corporate world, Thomas Austin picked up his first paint brush in a Lone Star College-CyFair art class in 2015.  “I built a home for retirement here in Cypress and in searching for art to populate our walls, I felt inspired to try my hand at it.”

When he started, the goal was simply to paint for his wife, Patti, a very successful interior designer, who has high standards and served as his muse. Three years later, with skills learned in class and encouragement from his professor, the late Laura Fisher, Thomas showcased a collection of his abstract paintings in LSC-CyFair’s Bosque Gallery.

“I think of what she taught me almost every day and I'm so grateful for the opportunity that I had at LSC-CyFair.” Why? That campus show kicked off his painting career. Not only does his work hang in his home, he’s done other shows, entered contests and sold his selling creations, which he said is “a tremendously validating experience.”

He encourages art students to join an art league because other artists will often be supportive, provide pointers and help out with techniques. He also advises students to “Practice every day, as much, as often, and as boldly as you can. Your soul will come out, to be sure.”

Sharon Haley

January 2020: A 2006 graduate of LSC-CyFair's second Medical Radiological Technology program class, Sharon Haley said radiology has always interested her and it suits her personality.

"I am fascinated with the human body and the challenge of performing radiology exams that are not always 'textbook.'"

While at LSC-CyFair, the MRT faculty challenged and encourage her class to roll up their sleeves, step in and take advantage of the skills and experience of clinical technologists and radiologists to learn patient care and positioning skills. They were very supportive and gave students all the tools necessary to launch their career.

"It was definitely worth the daily 75 miles roundtrip commute!"

Two years after earning her Associate of Applied Science degree at LSC-CyFair, she was promoted to Houston Methodist Willowbrook's first X-ray Department's Lead Technologist and shortly thereafter to coordinator role for the entire Radiology Department. A decade later she is their Diagnostic Imaging Services Coordinator/Transportation Coordinator.

"I have grown to also embrace the administration side of healthcare as a coordinator. I still work closely with both patients and the other lead staff," she said. "I assist in the department's daily flow as well as develop plans for growth and reach higher levels we always strive for with our patient care skills and customer service."

This past June, Sharon married Scott, who is a Multi-Modality Rad Tech for the Houston Methodist Spring Emergency Care Center and is a 2010 graduate of LSC-CyFair's MRT program.