Yet again, a record number of students have turned to Lone Star College-North Harris for its classes in more than 110 different academic and workforce programs. As of the official day, Sept. 12, the college had 18,478 students enrolled at its main campus and two satellite centers. The growth represents a 13 percent increase over the previous fall semester and an increase of 36 percent in the last two years.
LSC-North Harris continues to be the fastest growing college in the Lone Star College System, which grew nine percent this semester and has now exceeded 75,000 students.
The college’s two centers are growing at an even faster clip, thanks in part to the newly-constructed LSC-Victory Center. LSC-Greenspoint Center, in the Greenspoint area, has experienced a 15 percent increase in students, while LSC-Victory Center, located in Acres Home and Inwood Forest, has increased by more than 50 percent when compared to last year’s headcount at its predecessor, LSC-Carver Center.
A number of factors can be contributed to the incredible growth, including the economy and rising tuition at four-year colleges and universities. The more flexible scheduling found at a community colleges is also attractive to students trying to balance school with work and family responsibilities.
“The growth is definitely a tribute to the quality of our college and the services we provide,” said Dr. Steve Head, LSC-North Harris president. “It is also a result of our tremendous emphasis on student success, and our efforts to create an inviting atmosphere for students at all of our campuses.”
To help manage the remarkable growth, LSC-North Harris is wrapping up more than 320,000 square feet of construction and renovation projects across its North Houston service area.
Most recently, the college opened a new Student Services Building and additions to the Fine Arts and Applied Technology Buildings at its main campus at W.W. Thorne Drive. It has also moved its nursing and medical assisting programs to a new facility in the Houston Northwest Medical center and completed construction of the 85,000-square-foot LSC-Victory Center near the neighborhoods of Acres Homes and Inwood Forest.
Even with the added space, the college is doing its best to maximize capacity. Weekend and evening classes are offered every semester, as well as online and hybrid classes for students who need a more flexible class schedule. SecondStart classes, which begin as late as Oct. 24, are also offered in the fall.
Current and recently enrolled students can register online for SecondStart classes at LoneStar.edu/registration or at any Lone Star College location. New students can apply for admission online, or in-person. For more information, call 281.618.5410.
A complete listing of the fall 2011 classes is available at LoneStar.edu/NorthHarris.
Lone Star-North Harris courses are designed to fit a diverse spectrum of academic goals, and can lead to certificates, associate degrees or university transfer. Credit classes range from art, biology, and automotive technology to cosmetology, nursing and criminal justice.
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 75,000 students in credit classes for fall 2011, and a total enrollment of more than 90,000, Lone Star College System is the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area, and the fastest-growing community college system in Texas. Dr. Richard Carpenter is the chancellor of LSCS, which 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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