Speakers

Maureen Little

A native of South Louisiana, Maureen Little has a degree in Culinary Arts with over 20 years of experience. In addition, Maureen has been seasoned with great Creole and Cajun cooking by watching her father and grandmother create their wonderful dishes. The influence is tastefully evident. At one time she studied with Nicholas Lodge, the former Chef to Buckingham Palace. As a chef she once traveled to French Guyana to teach the Creoles there how to prepare food like the Creoles in Louisiana. Creole food and culture was presented in a casual atmosphere to over 45 students. She has done cooking demonstrations on an international level where she was the only chef representing the United States.

She has owned and operated Virtual Bistro Catering which specialized in Intimate Dinners, Dinner Parties, 3D Sculpted Cakes, Gourmet cookies and Edible Promotion Business Cards and logos.

Before their format changed, you may remember seeing her in the morning on Passe Partout as the chef for KLFY Channel 10 for over a year. Maureen taught new as well as familiar techniques as recipes. Her segment used local ingredients wherever possible and were designed for the home chef.

Teaching is something that comes very natural to Maureen as the new culinary Instructor at the Washington Career & Technical Education Center. She hopes to impart her cooking and management knowledge to her 11th and 12th grade students.

She is the loving mother of both Alex (18) and Ayrton (16) who recently got into the colleges of their choice, Harvard and Stanford Universities have been dreams of their for as long as they could remember. Presently they attend TMLandry College Preparatory School in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana headed by Mike and Tracey Landry

Dr. Quentin Wright

Dr. Quentin Ashley Wright is the Special Assistant to the Chancellor at Lone Star College. Prior to this position, he served as the Vice President of Instruction at Lone Star College-Tomball and in the roles as Interim Vice President of Instruction, Academic Dean, and Speech Instructor at Mountain View College.

Dr. Wright possesses a doctoral degree in Community College Leadership from the University of North Texas, Denton. His master’s degree is from Angelo State University where he studied Communications. His undergraduate work is also from Angelo State where he received a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations.

During his academic tenure, he has been active in state, regional, and national organizations. He has served as a member of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Developmental Advisory Committee, has served on multiple Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSCOC) accreditation teams, and participated in the national student success project Gateway to College, a grant funded program designed to help institutions implement learning communities for Developmental students. Dr. Wright has also been very active in helping to create pathways that allows high school students to enroll in college courses. He has served on teams that have developed three early college high schools, served as the college liaison for two other early college programs, and worked with college and school district personnel to develop innovative pathways in fields such as Nursing and Electrical Technology. Currently, Dr. Wright is leading the effort to develop Lone Star College’s seventh campus.

Dr. Wright is the recipient of various awards and honors. Among these are the Administrator of the Year Honor from his first institution and the Who’s Who Among American College Teachers and Educators distinction. Dr. Wright was also Angelo State University’s first recipient of the Outstanding Graduate Student award for the Department of Communications, Drama, and Journalism.

Dr. Wright is married to his wife of 15 years, Tierra, and has two daughters, Amaya (11) and Victoria (3).

Presenters

Melissa Brega

"I run because I hate it"

Melissa has a Bachelor of Arts in English from Chapman University and a Master of Arts in English with a minor in Curriculum and Instruction from Sam Houston State University. She has been in the education world for 16 years, teaching and supervising teachers across 8 different states with a student age range of 4 to 80. Melissa is currently an Associate Professor of Education and ESOL at Lone Star College-Tomball where she is the lead professor for ESOL and the faculty co-advisor for the Future Teacher club. Melissa and her husband, Eddie, have been married for 13 years and have 3 children keeping them very busy. Her hobbies include hiking, reading, and participating in a full-blown fantasy Survivor league with her extended family.

Nicholas Cole

Nicholas Cole is an award-winning journalist, professor, and licensed minister of the gospel. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications, specializing in print Journalism; a Master of Arts in Theological Studies, and was inducted into Theta Alpha Kappa – The National Honor Society for Theology & Religious Studies in 2017.

With more than 18 years of experience as a professional news journalist, Cole’s work has appeared in The Houston Chronicle, The Bolivar Commercial in Cleveland, Mississippi, The News-Star in Monroe, Louisiana, and The Sun Herald in Gulfport, Mississippi.

Cole, who was nominated in 2016 as one of the Houston Metro areas Top 40 Under 40 by The Houston Business Journal, is active in his local community, serving as a volunteer chaplain at Memorial Hermann Hospital System in Sugar Land, Texas and a prayer team member for Houston’s Premiere Contemporary Christian Music Radio Station, KSBJ 89.3 –– God Listens.

In addition, for the past 7 years, Cole has served at his local church in Texas. Cole has also served as an Upward basketball coach, a program in which a half a million players at more than 2,000 churches in 47 states participate in camps, clinics, and leagues through Upward’s Recreation Division promoting the discovery of Jesus through sports.

The foreword for Cole’s upcoming book has been written by Dr. Eric “E.T.” Thomas, a Christian Pastor listed as the #1 motivational speaker in the world.

Vanessa Gilbert-Cronen Phd, MPH

"Following your heart is the best."

"You are strong, you will survive."

Dr. Gilbert-Cronen is a Professor of Sociology for Lonestar College Tomball. Her interests are cross cultural research and culture change. She loves learning about different cultures and then traveling to visit them to experience the people and their way of life personally. Sharing photos and stories with her students is a highlight of teaching Sociology courses. When not planning her next international trip you will find her spending time with her large family which includes 7 amazing grandchildren.

Dr. Patrick Gilbert

"It is ok to be yourself."

Patrick Gilbert began his teaching career as a substitute teacher. He later began teaching in higher education where he is a Professor of Political Science at Lone Star College-Tomball. Dr. Gilbert has given presentations at conferences and events over classroom management, civic engagement, civil rights, and Texas Government. He is also active in the Texas Community College Teachers Association where he currently serves on the executive committee. Gilbert holds an Ed.D. from William Howard Taft University. He has also earned degrees from Blinn College, Prairie View A&M University, and Capella University.

Dr. Anne Ginnett

"Trust Yourself Enough to Let Go"

Dr. Anne Ginnett is the director of the lifePATH program at Lone Star College-Tomball. Prior to her lifePATH position, Dr. Ginnett served as Program Manager for Disability Services at LSC-NH, where she also taught Psychology and the Student Success course. Dr. Ginnett began her career in education working for Humble ISD as a co-teacher in special education.

Although born in Washington State, Dr. Ginnett got to Texas as fast as she could. She graduated from Copperas Cove High School in Central Texas (1984), received her Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Social Psychology from Park University - Austin Campus (2006), Teacher Certification from Lone Star College – Kingwood (2007), Masters of Science (M.S.) in Psychology from Walden University (2010), and her doctorate (Ph.D.) in Psychology with a Specialization in Education from Walden University (2014). Her research involved parental trust in teaching social expectations in public school.

Of Anne’s five children, three were served in special education. She believes that her professional perspective has been greatly enhanced by her experiences as a mother, learning all that she could to help her children succeed.

Margaret Jelinek Lewis

"It made a great story later."

This is Margaret's 26th Fall semester teaching General Psychology; she also teaches Lifespan Development and Human Sexuality, which she has been teaching in some form or another since age three. From 2014-2017, she lived in Scotland and Denmark while teaching online for LSC-Tomball. While abroad, she helped her family become more resilient and developed principles for embracing change while maintaining continuity during their overseas adventures.

It made a great story later.

Gloria M. Maristany

"Courage to leave and travel light."

As Lead Faculty of The First Year Experience and Faculty Fellow for the Center for Leadership, Academic and Student Success, Gloria has been studying and teaching Grit since 2015.  Recently, she put together a Grit Best Practices Guide she will share with attendees.  Gloria received a Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Sam Houston State University in 2012 and began teaching at Lone Star College-Tomball in 2014.

Stephanie Moss

“Daily action made my dream happen.”

Stephanie Moss serves as the Director of the Teaching and Learning Center at Lone Star College-CyFair, and has worked in public education for over 30 years. Stephanie spent the early years of her career as a classroom teacher in the K-12 arena before serving in central office organizational development in various leadership capacities. Throughout this time, she developed many programs of learning for students and teachers, and served as a local and national conference presenter, independent educational consultant, and Learning Forward—Texas board member. Stephanie holds a BS in Special Education from Western Michigan University and a M.Ed. in Educational Leadership and Cultural Studies from the University of Houston. She is a teacher, learner, thinker, writer, and survivor who enjoys quilting, crafting, and reading books of all kinds.

 Dr. Mosadi Porter

“Life survivor.  Intentionally breathing.  Hope restored.”

Dr. Mosadi Porter currently serves as the Associate Dean of Admissions & Outreach at Lone Star College - University Park. Her responsibilities at LSC-University Park include overseeing Admissions, Outreach, New Student Orientation, and the Campus Service Centers. In almost 20 years in Higher Education, she has served at Texas A&M University, Sam Houston State University, and Ohio University. Dr. Sadi, as she is affectionately known, has navigated the waters of being a divorcee and single mother, as well as a first generation college student. Her favorite saying is "Thank God I don't look like what I have been through!" Her spiritual, physical, and educational journeys are not for the faint at heart. Dr. Sadi is a mentor, leader, friend and guide to many whether she is serving as The Purpose Promoter, higher education administrator, non-profit Board of Directors member or pouring out in private to countless young people.

Student Success Institute Advisors

SSI Advisors are located at each campus in the Lone Star College System. As advisors, we manage the daily operations of the Student Success Institute at the campus level. We are dedicated to helping students with various issues that impact their academic, personal, and professional pursuits. Utilizing a case management approach, we meet with students regularly and track their academic progress and success. In addition, we create campus events and programs that foster a sense of growth and community. As a result of providing training and support to mentors of SSI, we are able to cultivate relationships with campus departments and personnel. Through these efforts, we provide a holistic experience and empower students with resources that propel student success. The Student Success Institute is open to all students; however, the program is intentional in recruiting and supporting African American students. www.lonestar.edu/studentsuccessinstitute