Lone Star College-CyFair’s Diversity Committee hosts two May conversations of inspirational journeys, including one that provides hope from a wounded warrior and a second in celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
In the May 4 event, wounded warrior and author Shilo Harris shares his story of pain and suffering as well as strength and survival in a presentation titled “Hope, Resiliency, and Triumph over Tragedy.”
In his memoir, “Steel Will: My Journey Through Hell to Become the Man I was Meant to Be”, he reflects on a tumultuous childhood, the effects of his father’s PTSD on his family, a dedication to a Christian lifestyle and his life-changing military years.
The book and Army Staff Sergeant Harris’ upcoming presentation includes insight into the horrors of war, specifically during his second deployment to Iraq in February 2007. The memories of what an IED explosion does to someone, inside and out, still haunt him. In that blast, Harris lost his ears, part of his nose, some fingers, over a third of the skin on his body and three of his best friends. What followed was an agonizing road to recovery, which began with nearly two months in a medically induced coma.
Another inspirational story that provides a cultural perspective and focus on leadership will be shared May 1 when the LSC-CyFair Diversity Committee presents “A Conversation with Dr. Gerald Napoles.”
Dr. Napoles, who serves as the Vice Chancellor of Student Success at Lone Star College, was born in the Philippines and his parents moved the family to Texas in search of a better quality of life. With a bachelor’s from Sam Houston University, a master’s from the University of North Texas and a Ph.D. in educational administration from the University of Texas at Austin, he has had a career in higher education for more than two decades.
In his upcoming presentation, attendees will learn more about his Asian American experience and his journey through leadership. Dr. Napoles, who values equal opportunity and access for students, has held several administrative roles throughout the LSC System, including briefly serving as LSC-CyFair’s interim president.
Attend Harris’ event at 1:30 p.m. in person in the Conference Center (CENT) Room 151-152 or virtually via Zoom and Dr. Napoles’ event at 9:40 a.m. in person in the Center for Academic and Student Affairs (CASA) Room 110 or virtually via Zoom. Go to LoneStar.edu/cyfair-diversity for event links and information.
Registration is under way for May mini-mester classes that begin May 15, summer sessions starting June 5 and July 13 or the fall semester which begins Aug. 28. For information, go to LoneStar.edu/cf-mini-mester or LoneStar.edu/regcyfair.