If not for the heat and humidity, it could be difficult to tell it was summer on the Lone Star College-North Harris campus. Just looking around, it might seem more like fall since there is obviously no shortage of students.
LSC-North Harris had nearly 8,100 students registered for classes on the June 7, the first day of the summer semester, 39 percent more than the first day of class last year. This was the largest increase within the Lone Star College System, with the other colleges experiencing increases of 22 to 26 percent. This growth also includes students taking classes at college’s centers, LSC-Carver, which saw its number of students triple, and LSC-Greenspoint, which grew by 76 percent.
"We are in high-demand right now,” said Dr. Steve Head, LSC-North Harris president. “We just finished a spring semester where we grew nearly 30 percent, and fall registration is already showing similar growth.”
Dr. Head also pointed out that, in addition to the increase in students, many of them appear to be taking more classes during the semester. Course enrollments, the number of classes being taken, are up 46 percent for the summer.
He cited a number of factors that can be contributed to such rapid growth. Given the economy, a number of students are returning to school increase their competitiveness in the job market. LSC-North Harris also offers an affordable alternative to the rising tuition at four-year colleges and universities. And, the more flexible scheduling found at community college is attractive to students trying to balance school with work and family responsibilities.
“Whatever the reasons, it seems more than likely that we will have a pretty crowded campus this fall. We are already making plans on how to best accommodate such rapid growth,” said Dr. Head. “Thankfully, construction and renovations to expand the campus have already begun, so our space limitations will only be temporary. Besides, too many students is not a bad problem to have.”
LSC-North Harris recently began more than 320,000 square feet of construction and renovation projects at its main campus and centers, much of which will be completed in 2011.
Registration is now open for summer II, as well as for the fall 2010 semester. Current students can register by telephone at 281-591-6625. Former and current students can register online at LoneStar.edu/registration. Registration and other student services are also available at the LSC-North Harris campus and centers.
Lone Star College-North Harris is located at 2700 W.W. Thorne Drive, one-half mile south of FM 1960 East, between Aldine-Westfield and Hardy Roads. For more information about the college, call 281.618.5400 or visit LoneStar.edu/NorthHarris.
With more than 62,000 students in credit classes in spring 2010, and a total enrollment of nearly 85,000, Lone Star College System is the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area, and the second largest and the fastest-growing community college system in Texas. LSCS consists of five colleges including LSC-CyFair, LSC-Kingwood, LSC-Montgomery, LSC-North Harris, and LSC-Tomball, six centers, LSC-University Park, LSC-University Center at Montgomery, LSC-University Center at University Park, Lone Star Corporate College, and LSC-Online. To learn more visit LoneStar.edu.
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June 11, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
John Luedemann
281.765.7934, desk
713.875.8719, cell