Rachel Perez is ready to take the next step in her dreams of becoming a pediatrician or an emergency room physician thanks to the Lone Star College Foundation and the University of Houston-Downtown.

“I’ve been at Lone Star College for four years now,” said Perez. “The first two years was as a dual credit student then I became a full-time student and it’s been a life changing experience.” Perez is set to graduate this month with an Associate of Science degree from LSC-CyFair and plans to transfer to the University of Houston-Downtown to earn her bachelor’s degree, thanks to a full scholarship that was recently awarded to her from UH-D at StarGala 2018.

LSC and UH-D have teamed up to extend and expand their program-to-program agreements, making it easier for students to transfer between the two institutions. The agreement also allows LSC students to co-enroll at UH-D and take classes from both institutions simultaneously.

“The scholarships and the experiences I’ve had have been great and now I’m really looking forward to attending the University of Houston-Downtown,” said Perez.

A Lone Star College Promise scholarship recipient, Perez was recently recognized before a Houston Astros game and received a commemorative bat from the team for her success in the classroom. The UH-D scholarship was presented at the LSC Foundation’s StarGala 2018 event by Faiza Khoja, Ph.D., UH-D associate vice president of Academic Affairs.

The LSC Promise is a scholarship and community service program that provides two years of “last-dollar” funds that can be used at any Lone Star College campus. Students who apply are given assistance to navigate and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The LSC Promise then covers the balance of tuition and mandatory fees due for students who still demonstrate financial need. The scholarship is partially funded by the LSC Foundation.

Perez, who delivered her high school commencement speech as valedictorian, currently volunteers at Texas Children’s Hospital.

“The Lone Star College Foundation would not be able to help students like Rachel without the support of our generous donors and sponsors,” said Nicole Robinson Gauthier, LSC Foundation executive director. “Rachel is just one of many great stories of student success taking place at Lone Star College every day.”

LSC Promise scholarship recipient Rachel Perez was recently honored at a Houston Astros game for her academic success. Pictured are Dr. Mark Curtis-Chavez, LSC-CyFair special assistant to the president, left, and Rachel Perez.

Founded in 1991, the Lone Star College Foundation has expanded its initial investment of $20,000 into an extensive portfolio of over $27 million. Since its inception, the Foundation has provided over $13 million in scholarships to nearly 13,000 students, as well as more than $4 million in program support. The mission of the LSC Foundation is to change lives through student scholarships and quality educational programs achieved by excellence in relationship building, fundraising and investment management. Visit LoneStar.edu/Giving for more information.

Lone Star College offers high-quality, low-cost academic transfer and career training education to 99,000 students each semester. LSC is training tomorrow’s workforce today and redefining the community college experience to support student success. Stephen C. Head, Ph.D., serves as chancellor of LSC, the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area with an annual economic impact of nearly $3 billion. LSC 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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