TOMBALL (Dec. 4, 2023) – After graduating with an Honors Associate of Arts degree from Lone Star College-Tomball in May 2023, former LSC-Tomball Student Government Association president Noor Ayache is now pursuing a bachelor’s degree at Rice University.
Ayache’s time at LSC-Tomball begun with high school dual credit classes. Her father, Dr. Talih Ayache, is a popular LSC-Tomball anatomy professor, so for Noor, attending LSC-Tomball was a given.
Ayache was accepted into the LSC-Tomball Honors College, which offers a wide range of learning opportunities for high achieving students and was awarded the Chancellor’s Fellow scholarship.
At LSC-Tomball, Ayache followed her passions and focused on classes she loved, those that involved research: philosophy, sociology, humanities. From Day One, she joined various campus clubs and eventually found her way to the Student Government Association (SGA).
In her second year of SGA involvement, she was elected SGA president. Motivated by the mission of SGA, to make all who attend LSC-Tomball feel they belong, Ayache found her stride.
“I was waking up early every day to get to campus, and I wouldn’t leave until 6 p.m.,” said Ayache. “I wasn’t tired though, and I didn’t want to leave. I was a part of a community, and I wanted to give back to that community. Serving others inspired me.”
Encouraged by Ava Veselis, one of her LSC-Tomball Honors professors, Ayache applied to Rice, but never expected acceptance. “I was in the middle of my University of Houston new student orientation when I received my Rice acceptance letter. It was chaotic, but I was able to make the switch.”
Midway through her first semester at Rice, Ayache is continuing her study of philosophy, joining student organizations of interest, and living in a dorm. On the weekends, her family, who live in Cypress, pick her up and take her home. She spends her days immersed in intensive reading and crafting 10 to15-page papers.
Although it’s a lot of work, Ayache feels well prepared for the rigorous classes. “I love the classroom settings at Rice. The faculty is involved, understanding, engaging, and discussion is encouraged, all of which the LSC-Tomball Honors College prepared me for.”
Ayache plans to graduate from Rice in three years. She’s not entirely sure what she’ll do after that, but is considering a career in law.
When asked what she misses most about LSC-Tomball, Ayache speaks most about the relationships and connections she made. “The community felt so wholesome.” said Ayache. “I built so many connections and had so much fun. I’ll never forget my time at LSC-Tomball.”