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TOMBALL, TX: Lone Star College-Tomball saw students from two of its extraordinary programs for high school students graduate this spring with Associate degrees earned simultaneously with their high school diplomas. The diplomas and degrees were conferred during Commencement ceremonies in May.
Eight Royal Early College High School students were the first to complete the four-year program aimed at low income and under-represented students who may otherwise have difficulty attending college following their high school graduation.
“The Early College program is an initiative where high school students, beginning their freshman year, take selective classes that provide the high school credits needed to meet state requirements and simultaneously receive college credits that go toward an Associate degree,” said Latoya Hardman Lewis, Director of Academic Initiatives and Partnerships for LSC-Tomball.
Eleven seniors from the Klein Independent School District who participated in the Advanced Nursing Pathway Program, graduated from high school with a diploma and an Associate of Arts degree from LSC-Tomball. The students benefited from an innovative partnership between Klein ISD and LSC-Tomball that puts students on a fast track to a nursing license.
Catherine F. Gray, RN, MN, is the Director of Nursing Programs. “Our Advanced Nursing Pathway program offers instruction at varying certification levels as well as exposure to technical skills necessary to pursue a career in the nursing profession,” she said.
The LSC-Tomball Nursing Program has been recognized for its Advanced Nursing Pathway partnership with Klein High School by the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB).
“I know I can speak for all of us on the faculty and staff when I say it’s exciting and rewarding to be able to inspire and encourage younger students into a career in nursing,” Gray said.
Alexis Contreras, who graduated from Royal Early College High School, said enrolling in the program changed her life.
“I was blessed to be a part of the Early College High School program. Not only did I save time and money but it helped me transition into college work. Being a first generation college student, this program has helped me and my family every step of the way,” she said.
The Early College High School program also helps prepare students for the next step in higher education, giving them confidence that a four year degree is within their grasp.
“This has prepared me for attending a four-year university because I will not have to play catch up my freshman year. I’ve learned good study techniques and what is expected of me,” said Royal graduate Shauna Odum. “I will be arriving on campus ready to face whatever is thrown at me.”
Qualified students who are interested in Early College are chosen using a lottery system and the program is free of charge. Even though the conditions for participation states students cannot participate in most UIL activities, enrollment is expected to grow.
“It was so rewarding when we met with the Royal and Klein students to advise them about their next steps,” Lewis said about the hardworking grads. “And then to hear them tell us they had received their acceptance letters and what colleges they were going to attend, it was really exciting for us.”
While there are many high schools offering dual-credit classes, only two Tomball area high schools, Tomball Star Academy and Royal Early College High School, are currently participating in LSC-Tomball’s Early College program.
For more information on the Early College program please contact LSC-Tomball’s Academic Initiatives and Partnerships department. For information on LSC-Tomball’s nursing program please visit the Nursing Program website.
Lone Star College-Tomball is located at 30555 Tomball Parkway, at the intersection of SH 249 and Zion Road. For more information about the college, call 281.351.3300 or visit LoneStar.edu/Tomball.
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, 10 centers, two university centers, Lone Star Corporate College and LSC-Online. To learn more, visit LoneStar.edu.
