HOUSTON (October 18, 2019) – Lone Star College-University Park, the community’s college, is committed to student success. The LSC-University Park Career Services department and Transfer Center recently held two separate events designed to prepare students to continue both their educational and professional journeys.  

“Engaging events like the Career Fair and College Fair are a vital part of how we help students achieve their academic and career goals,” said Dr. Shah Ardalan, LSC-University Park president. “For our students to reach new heights, we have to provide them with the tools to envision a version of the future in which they are prospering. We think events like these show students a great future isn’t just possible; it’s closer than ever.”

LSC-University Park’s Transfer Center held its annual fall semester College Fair - alternately referred to as the Transfer Fair – earlier this month, hosting 33 universities including the University of North Texas, Texas State University and Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. Several private, out-of-state, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities also attended. Topics such as the admissions process, degree options, financial aid and scholarship opportunities were explored at the one-stop-shop fair focused on students interested in transferring to universities. Approximately 280 students participated in the event.

Stephanie Smith, manager of transfer services at LSC-University Park, said the college fair is an excellent event for students to get out of their comfort zones and speak with university representatives one-on-one. 

“For some of our students, the academic rigor and financial stress of a university can appear overwhelming and unattainable,” Smith said. “These events can provide students with a university advocate, resources and reassurance that LSC-University Park has equipped them well for their futures.”

The College Fair is a gateway for students to learn about all the options at their fingertips. At LSC-University Park, the motto “start close, go far” is taken seriously and literally. The main goal of faculty and staff is to ensure that students have the best tools to thrive in the next stages of their lives. Students who earn an associate degree from LSC-University Park and transfer to larger universities have higher success rates than students who enter four-year colleges directly from high school. 

Students who transfer from LSC-University Park have matriculated to over 100 different universities in the state and across the country including Rice University, Cornell University, Texas A&M University, the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Houston, Baylor University, the University of Houston Downtown (UHD), Sam Houston State University, Texas State University, the University of Texas at San Antonio, Prairie View A&M University and Stephen F. Austin University.

While LSC-University Park allows students to hone their skills in academia before transferring to a four-year university, the college also helps them secure a better financial future. According to a report by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the prevalence of student loans has grown steadily since 2004, and  since 2016, 18 percent of the population has carried student loan debt. LSC-University Park allows its students to learn and grow without the financial burden or significant amounts of debt, making a prosperous future more attainable. Other reasons students choose to start at a community college over a four-year university include wanting to stay close to home or prioritizing small class sizes.

Transfer Services provides individual advising on transferable courses, degree exploration and training on transfer admissions. The department offers major-specific workshops and off-campus visits to universities. LSC-University Park advisers assist students in applying for admission, registering for classes, and choosing courses that will transfer to other colleges. Through LSC-University Park’s partnership with UHD Northwest, students can complete their associate degrees at the college and then transfer seamlessly to UHD Northwest to continue toward a bachelor’s degree without having to change campuses.

As a complement to the College Fair, LSC-University Park’s Career Services department held its biannual Career Fair in October. Students learned about various job opportunities while exercising their professional skills with potential employers. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Secret Service, Macy’s, Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District, Wells Fargo Bank and the U.S. Navy were among the organizations that met with students. UHD Northwest also participated in the event. 

Approximately 340 students, LSC alumni, and community members attended the Career Fair. While teaching students about their career options is essential, it’s not the only reason the event is held. According to Dr. Fonda Johnson-Gaddie, a counselor for Career Services, the event gives students a chance to network with professionals from various fields and industries.

“Students get to try out their new resumes by presenting them to employers,” Dr. Johnson-Gaddie said. “They practice interview skills and learn about different job search techniques. They also develop their elevator speeches to promote themselves while learning about career options and advancement benefits. They may even land their first jobs.”

The department serves as a campus resource to students by updating them on career trends, conducting labor market research in various industries, reviewing and critiquing resumes, and offering mock interviews. Resources are free to all LSC-University Park students and alumni. LSC-University Park welcomes the community to experience the college for themselves. Enrollment is underway, and classes begin throughout the year. Visit LoneStar.edu/UP for more information and to join the LSC-University Park family.