Houston (Feb. 14, 2022) - Alex Nuyda knew she wanted an education that would provide challenging coursework and lead to professional success. That opportunity came thanks to the Lone Star College Honors College. 

"During my studies at the Honors College, I developed critical academic skills and pursued enriching co-curricular opportunities without financial strain," said Nuyda, LSC and Rice University graduate. 

The Lone Star College Honors College is designed to meet the needs of high-achieving students seeking to enhance their college transcripts with challenging coursework provided across a broad range of disciplines. Courses are designed to engage and challenge students inside and outside the classroom through small classes and close interaction with dedicated faculty.

"Alex is a shining example of a student who had a clear vision on what she wanted to achieve with her education," said Katharine Caruso, Ph.D., Associate Vice Chancellor, Honors and International Education. "Her accomplishments, not only at the Honors College, but also at Rice University is a testament to what can be accomplished when you set your mind to it."

In addition to maintaining a 4.0 GPA and graduating with an Honors Associates of Science degree, Nuyda traveled to China to participate in a study abroad program, conducted Capstone research in Washington, D.C. and attended a professional workshop with The Washington Center.

"I believe these experiences provided by the Honors College contributed to my successful studies at Rice University and also continue to propel my post-baccalaureate academic and professional aspirations," said Nuyda.

In addition to her accomplishments at the Honors College, Nuyda also completed her undergraduate senior thesis with the Rice University sociology department titled "The Intersection of Eugenics and Modern-Day Race for Black and White Racial Groups: Hidden in Plain Sight" - an interdisciplinary exploration of the relationship between science and society which included previous research experience and interests from The Honors College.

"Coming from The Honors College, a lot of professors at Rice were surprised by the aptitudes and experience I had making interdisciplinary connections between course concepts, analyzing data, or conducting and directing independent research," said Nuyda. "Those kinds of skills are usually refined in the latter years of undergrad --typically toward senior year -- so I was on par or ahead of my peers at Rice in that regard upon transferring."

LSC Honors College graduates have gone on to transfer to top institutions including Columbia University, Cornell University, Duke University, Texas A&M University, University of Texas and Vanderbilt University. Visit LoneStar.edu/HonorsCollege to learn more about the wide range of opportunities for those seeking an engaging and challenging education.

"I believe that these experiences provided by The Honors College contributed to my successful studies at Rice University, but also continue to propel my post-baccalaureate academic and professional aspirations," said Nuyda. "Thanks to The Honors College at Lone Star College for helping me start close so I can go far!"

Click here to learn more about Nuyda's story.

Lone Star College offers high-quality, low-cost academic transfer and career training education to 93,000+ students each semester. LSC is training tomorrow's workforce today and redefining the community college experience to support student success. Stephen C. Head, Ph.D., serves as chancellor of LSC, the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area and has been named a 2021 Great Colleges to Work For® institution by the Chronicle of Higher Education and ranked 35th in Texas in the Forbes 'America's Best Employers By State' list. LSC consists of eight colleges, seven centers, eight Workforce Centers of Excellence and Lone Star Corporate College. To learn more, visit LoneStar.edu.