Lone Star College prepares students to enter various industries such as education, health care, technology and politics.
After graduating from Spring High School in 1981, Sam Harless, Texas Representative District 126, attended Lone Star College while he figured out his next move.
“I was working and just wasn’t ready to jump into a big university environment,” said Harless. “Lone Star College offered me an opportunity to settle into academics at my own pace.”
Harless attended what is now known as LSC-North Harris and LSC-Tomball. He enrolled in general classes, such as English, and courses that deepened his interest in politics and business. He learned how to socialize with others and become acclimated to a large educational environment while at LSC. Additionally, as the owner of Fred Fincher Motors, a second-generation independent automobile dealership and several other small businesses, Harless credits his success to his LSC education.
“Lone Star College is a great place for many young people to get their feet on the ground academically,” said Harless. “Not everyone is cut out for the high pressures and expenses that come with big universities. Not all students are fully socialized; some come from small, rural or private schools, and small campus environments, like Lone Star College, seem more like a community.”
Harless was elected to the Texas Houston of Representatives District 126 in 2018. He serves on two committees: Homeland Security and Public Safety and State Affairs. At the end of the 87th Texas Legislature, Harless was directly involved with 134 pieces of legislation.
“I have been in and around political figures and have always been intrigued in helping my community,” said Harless. “I get a great satisfaction in helping constituents regardless of if their issues are simple or mundane; it’s important to them,” said Harless.
After LSC, Harless attended Sam Houston State University. He currently sits on the Lone Star College Community Advisory Board, the Harris County Constable Precinct 4 Training Advisory Board and the Harris County Sheriff’s Training Advisory Board. Harless is married to Patricia, a former Texas State Representative for District 126 from 2007-2016, and they have one son.
Lone Star College enrolls over 80,000 students each semester providing high-quality, low-cost academic transfer and career training education. 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 and has been named a 2022 Great Colleges to Work For® institution by the Chronicle of Higher Education, ranked 35th in Texas in the Forbes ‘America’s Best Employers By State’ list and recognized by Fortune Magazine and Great Place To Work® as one of this year’s Best Workplaces in Texas™. LSC consists of eight colleges, seven centers, eight Workforce Centers of Excellence and Lone Star Corporate College. To learn more, visit LoneStar.edu.