Lone Star College System held its inaugural Chancellor Investiture Ceremony on Feb. 14 to formally install Mario K. Castillo, J.D., as the fifth chancellor. Castillo officially became the chancellor in August 2023 after serving in various roles since joining the college in 2015.
“Chancellor Castillo has brought a fresh approach to the college system by leading with empathy, passion and a deep focus on student success,” said Mike Sullivan, LSCS Board of Trustees chair. “The chancellor’s vision has empowered employees, provided critical services for our students and increased our enrollment and retention rates, producing a better and brighter workforce. We look forward to watching this institution grow under his leadership.”
A Chancellor Investiture Ceremony is an academic tradition that marks the new leader’s journey at their college or university. LSCS’s event started with a processional of the board of trustees, college presidents and vice chancellors as well as faculty senate and Professional Support Staff Association (PSSA) presidents. The college surprised Castillo by rolling out a red carpet as he concluded the processional. Once on stage, guests offered the chancellor their greetings and personal tributes. Cory Colby, LSC-Tomball political science professor and faculty senate president, and Gracia Talbott, LSC-Tomball (PSSA) president, represented LSC employees.
“We collectively note Chancellor Castillo’s commitment to transparent leadership, unwavering devotion to a continuous pursuit of academic and institutional excellence and his dedication to putting people first,” said Colby. Talbott added, “We appreciate the support Chancellor Castillo has shown us. We look forward to our continued partnership and offer our best wishes in his endeavor to lead this institution.”
During the investiture, Castillo received proclamations from U.S. District 29 Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia, State Representative District 140 Armando Walle and Harris County Commissioner Precinct 2 Adrian Garcia. Senior Judge Kenneth Hoyt of the United States District Court Southern District of Texas offered the keynote address. Additionally, the chancellor and guests enjoyed a performance from the first LSC student-led Mexican musical ensemble, Mariachi Los Huracanes de North Harris. The investiture ceremony concluded with each college president and faculty senate president presenting their campus mace to the LSCS board chair and chancellor.
Castillo is a first-generation high school (on his mother’s side), college and law school student and a first-generation American. His journey of ‘firsts’ inspires many, including Jose Aguilar, LSC-North Harris student and Mariachi Los Huracanes de North Harris president.
“Lone Star College means a world of opportunity, knowledge and self-growth. Chancellor Castillo has played an important part in our success,” said Aguilar. “At Lone Star College, I have developed my skills as a diesel technician student and leader, and I, too, strive to be the first of many like Chancellor Castillo.”
Castillo joined Lone Star College as general counsel in 2015 and became vice chancellor and general counsel in 2016. He was promoted to chief operating officer and general counsel in 2017 and served as interim president at LSC-Kingwood in the 2020-2021 academic year. Learn more about Chancellor Castillo at LoneStar.edu/Chancellor.
Lone Star College System enrolls over 90,000 students each semester providing high-quality, low-cost academic transfer and career training education. LSCS is training tomorrow’s workforce today and redefining the community college experience to support student success. Mario K. Castillo, J.D., serves as Chancellor of LSCS, the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area and has been named a 2024 Great Colleges to Work For® institution by the Chronicle of Higher Education. LSCS consists of eight colleges, seven centers, eight Workforce Centers of Excellence and Lone Star Corporate College. To learn more, visit LoneStar.edu.