Lone Star College-North Harris’ Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Program has received the 2018 Exemplary Program Award for credit workforce programs from The National Council for Workforce Education (NCWE).
The honor was bestowed upon the HVAC Program following an extensive redesign aimed at increasing student success and capitalizing on corporate partnerships. Over the past four years, several initiatives have been implemented to improve the program, such as the streamlining of course scheduling, the completion and equipping of a new facility, and the continued expansion of partnerships and collaborations. These measures have increased enrollments by 42 percent and doubled the number of degrees and certificates awarded. This dramatic growth led to the construction of the campus’ new Construction and Skilled Trades Technology Training Center, which opened in Fall 2017.
Dr. Laura Yannuzzi, vice president for instruction, said the college was honored to receive this recognition.
“I am so proud of our team,” she said. “They have worked diligently to build a program that creates success for our students and our employers. This award is a well-deserved recognition and a wonderful example of the community impact that Lone Star College-North Harris strives for every day.”
The HVAC Program at LSC-North Harris is well poised to meet industry needs for technicians, with plans to inject 1,000 well-trained HVAC technicians into the field over the next five years. Yannuzzi credited the program’s success to increased collaboration with corporate partners. Through the program’s advisory board, these corporate partners have become increasingly involved in the delivery of program components through donations and educational partnerships. For example, multiple partners donated more than $200,000 in equipment to equip several labs for its Construction and Skilled Trades Technology Training Center.
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.