Lone Star College has been selected to take part in the Texas Pathways Project, a program which examines the way students transition from public education to community colleges and four-year universities.
“Lone Star College is pleased to participate in this very important project,” said Dr. Stephen C. Head, LSC chancellor. “We need to take a hard look at how higher education institutions can improve the transition experience for high school students.”
A recent study done by the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce reported that more than “99 percent of job growth in the recent economic recovery” went to workers with more than a high school education, while workers with a high school diploma or less saw virtually no job recovery.
“These numbers point out the importance of creating pathways for high school students to continue their education and prepare them to enter the workforce,” said Head.
“Lone Star College is one of a dozen of the most advanced community colleges across the state selected through a competitive process by the Texas Success Center,” said Dr. Cynthia Ferrell, director of the Texas Success Center. “We are excited to launch this major state initiative designed to create pathways that will improve student success and to benefit not only Lone Star College, but colleges statewide.”
Colleges were asked to submit applications to be considered to participate. Other schools chosen for the Texas Pathways Project include: Amarillo College, Austin Community College, Brazosport College, Dallas County Community College District, Grayson College, Houston Community College, McLennan Community College, Midland College, South Texas College, Southwest Texas Junior College, and Temple College.
The Texas Pathways Project received its seed funding from the Greater Texas Foundation. Based in Bryan, the foundation serves the residents and educational institutions of Texas by supporting initiatives that increase rates of post-secondary enrollment and completion for all Texas students, with a particular focus on students who may encounter barriers to post-secondary success.
The participating colleges will take part in biannual institutes to help participants implement these structured student pathways. The first institute will take place Nov. 2-4, 2016, in Bastrop.
Lone Star College also participates in other important initiatives such as Achieving the Dream, a national program to close achievement gaps, and Texas Completes, a cadre of higher education institutions to help students find their way and stay on track.
“Lone Star College is very proactive in finding new ways to ensure our students have the resources necessary to earn their associate degree or workforce training certificate in a timely manner,” said Head.
Known for its leadership, innovation and steadfast commitment to student success, Lone Star College provides high-quality academic transfer and workforce education / career training programs to more than 83,000 credit students each semester, and a total enrollment of 95,000 students. LSC is training tomorrow’s workforce today and redefining the community college experience to promote student success and economic prosperity. Stephen C. Head, Ph.D., is the chancellor of LSC, the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area, which consists of six colleges, eight centers, two university centers, Lone Star Corporate College and LSC-Online. To learn more visit LoneStar.edu.
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