HOUSTON – When Gabrielle Juniel received her Associate of Arts degree at Lone Star College-University Park’s commencement ceremony earlier this month, she reached a major milestone for herself and her close-knit family. And she did so at only 15 years old. 

Having earned her high school diploma last year, Gabrielle has been accepted into Prairie View A&M University where she plans to enroll in the fall and major in sociology. The teen, who moved from Louisiana to Houston in 2016 to live with her father Raphael Juniel; stepmother Corie Juniel; and seven siblings, has been homeschooled since sixth grade. Her mother Jennifer Carroll is also a big part of her support system. Six years ago, the Juniel family experienced a near tragedy when Gabrielle’s father was almost killed in a serious truck accident. He spent 30 days in a coma and time in a rehabilitation facility, and yet the family persevered.

Touched by near tragedy, but shaped by family, hard work, dedication and determination, Gabrielle’s credo is faith and never giving up.

“My parents have inspired me to get a higher education,” Gabrielle said. “They have always told me that education is very important. They said that by attending college, it would make me become successful and have a better opportunity to achieve my goals. Attending LSC-University Park has also given me a better idea of what career to choose.”

It was LSC’s dual credit program that drew the Juniels to the college. Through dual credit, students can begin earning college credit as early as their freshman year in high school.

“At LSC-University Park, we create a welcoming environment where students can flourish,” said Dr. Shah Ardalan, LSC-University Park president. “Our goal is to offer students programs and resources like dual credit to help them reach their goals as quickly and inexpensively as possible. Our highly-skilled and talented faculty and staff are passionate about the success of all students.”

LSC-University Park partners with independent school districts, charter schools and private schools, such as Klein ISD, iSchool High, Harmony Public Schools, as well as with home-school parents, to offer dual credit courses in the core curriculum, foreign languages, and workforce education. Students can take courses at their high school campuses or at LSC-University Park through a range of modalities. With a Dual Credit Tuition Waiver, students save nearly 65 percent, for a cost of $72 for a three-credit hour, face-to-face class.

Gabrielle’s transition from home-schooling to college was made easier by LSC-University Park’s commitment to student success and its dedicated faculty and staff.

“The administration is super eager to help,” Raphael Juniel said. “Everything from the accessibility of staff to the resources offered through Career Services, LSC nurtures the student and the family. A parent has to lead by example. If I want my children to be successful, then I need to be successful. I always say, ‘excuses build monuments of nothingness and despite challenges, look for solutions, not problems.’”

Gabrielle’s recent academic achievement marks just one stop along her journey. With support from her family, she eagerly embraces the future.

“I think that the best advice that I can give to people and my classmates is to believe in yourself,” she said. “If you give it your all and do your best, you can achieve anything.”

At LSC-University Park, students have access to more than 70 associate degree plans and workforce certificate programs in high-demand areas of study that lead to successful careers. With an average tuition priced at less than $900 for a12-hour full course load, students can achieve their dreams of a high-quality, high-value education.

To learn more about the opportunities available at LSC-University Park, visit LoneStar.edu/UP. For more information about the dual credit program, visit LoneStar.edu/DualCredit.