The Society of Information Management Houston Chapter (SIM Houston) recently dedicated $20,000 in proceeds from its 7th Annual Houston CIO Charity Golf Tournament to support Lone Star College-University Park students in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields.

“SIM Houston is an exceptional professional organization that supports innovation through education,” said Dr. Shah Ardalan, LSC-University Park President. “This donation will support the college’s innovation in new program offerings to students and the community while helping to prepare them for the workforce. The partnership with SIM Houston is one we have enjoyed for several years. We use their method of combining scholarship and mentorship as a model for other donors across the country.” 

One of the unique aspects of the partnership with LSC-University Park involves SIM Houston board members giving of their time, sharing their industry expertise and knowledge. Through the SIM Houston Mentorship Scholarship, STEM and IT professionals directly mentor LSC-University Park students, imparting firsthand knowledge and preparing these future IT professionals to enter the job market.

Gary Russell, SIM Houston vice president of outreach, feels the partnership is a strong win-win for both organizations.

“We truly value the partnership that Lone Star College-University Park has enabled us to build,” said Russell. “Our members enjoy giving back to students that are about to enter the IT and other STEM-related fields. Serving as mentors to these future business leaders is an honor we don’t take lightly.”

Previously, LSC-University Park received a SIM Houston donation of $20,000 in 2019 to help develop an Additive Manufacturing lab. In 2019 and 2020, the Houston SIM Women’s Network donated $5,000 for student scholarships to promote career and leadership development for women IT leaders. Additionally, at its 5th Annual SIM Houston Charity Sporting Clays Classic last year, SIM Houston announced a commitment of $100,000 to help LSC-University Park gain access to more learning resources and to assist students in learning about STEM fields.

“We are extremely grateful to our friends at SIM-Houston for this most recent gift,” said Steve Kahla, LSC-University Park dean of instruction. “The relationship between LSC-University Park and SIM Houston is among our most valuable and important partnerships. As a result of these gifts, we have been able to offer scholarships to STEM students and purchase a variety of needed items that have fostered innovation in teaching and learning.”

The network and computer system administrator Associate of Applied Science degree is one of the 70 degrees and certificates offered at LSC-University Park. The program provides an engaging, hands-on experience that gives students a practical understanding of the latest technology and a competitive edge in today’s IT job market. Upon completion, students have the skills they need to enter the workforce and be successful in several local and global industries. Students who have graduated from the program have pursued careers as computer network technicians, network analysts, and IT managers. According to the Texas Workforce Commission, the median income for these jobs is $82,595.

Since 1968, SIM has inspired the minds of the most prestigious information technology (IT) leaders in the industry. Regarded as the premier network for IT leadership, SIM is a community of thought leaders who share experiences and rich intellectual capital and explore future IT direction. SIM Houston supports local STEM programs and encourages students to pursue careers in technology professions through funding, outreach, and scholarships. To learn more about SIM Houston, visit SIMHouston.org.