At age five, Montoya Thomas entered foster care. Since then, she has lived in 12 foster homes and two residential treatment centers. Despite her traumatic start, Thomas has risen to recover, overcome, and inspire others to do the same. 

Thomas is one of the more than 1000 students who graduated from Lone Star College-University Park during the 2023 Spring Commencement ceremony on May 12. Despite a leg injury, Thomas finished her coursework in December and walked across the stage to proudly receive her diploma earlier this month.

"In my seven years of teaching undergraduate Physics," said LSC-University Park Physics Instructor Naila Syed, "I have rarely met such a persistent, diligent, and passionate student as Toya. She followed up on individual lab submissions and feedback, as well as grade discrepancies down to the tenth of a decimal. However, above all, she was always respectful and professional in her demeanor. I am so incredibly proud of Toya, and I have no doubt that she will excel and achieve any goals she sets her mind to."

Thomas takes immense pride in her accomplishments at LSC-University Park. She is determined to leverage her skills not only for personal growth but also to advocate for those who have faced similar challenges. "I picked Lone Star because of diversity, equity, and inclusion," Thomas said. "My degree is in Communications. One of my career goals is to continue to bring awareness to trauma in the foster care system. I want to continue to advocate for foster youth by using my voice in public speaking."

Through her involvement in the Black Student Union, Student Government Association, and Student Success Institute, Thomas has actively promoted better services, opportunities, and care for foster children. In March, as a Texas Community College Student Advisory Council member, Thomas testified before the Texas House Committee of Higher Education in favor of Texas House Bill 8 (HB8).

"I am a former foster youth," Thomas told the committee. "As a community college student, I struggled to come up with the money to pay for classes and all the associated fees like books and project materials. I was actively transitioning out of the extended foster care system and became homeless. I worked 40 hours a week, making nine dollars an hour while managing a course load of six to nine credit hours.”

Between Spring 2015 and December 2022, Thomas says she faced a constant battle between making good grades and trying to keep a roof over her head. "Every day, I continued to sacrifice things that gave me peace of mind or sanity to prevent a sinking ship. I did ultimately navigate my hardships and earn my degree, but I know there are too many other students who cannot say the same."

Thanks in part to Thomas' testimony, HB8 passed the House last week. HB8, among other things, creates a state financial aid program to cover dual credit courses for educationally disadvantaged students.

"Toya's journey is a testament to the power of faith and perseverance," reflected Jamesia King, M.A., Lone Star College (LSC) Grant Developer and a steadfast guide in Thomas's time at LSC-University Park. "In the face of challenges, Toya has shown courage and tenacity. As a participant in the Student Success Institute (SSI), her creativity and leadership were truly inspiring to others. I am super proud of Toya, and I have the utmost confidence she will achieve even greater success in the future."

If you are a student involved in the foster care system and you are attending LSC-University Park or thinking about it, LSC Navigators are available to help. For assistance, please contact LSCNavigators@LoneStar.edu.

Established in 2012, Lone Star College-University Park has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing and most innovative higher education institutions in the country. The college is devoted to impacting the community's prosperity and upward mobility through student success. LSC-University Park’s expert and compassionate faculty and staff provide students with holistic and immersive education and training in disciplines and industries that meet current and future workforce needs.

Located on the grounds of the former Compaq Computer Corporation and Hewlett Packard's world headquarters, LSC-University Park's facilities include the Center for Science & Innovation, the Energy & Manufacturing Institute, Learning Innovation Labs, and the Geology Rock Wall. It is also home to the University of Houston-NW Downtown, Lone Star Corporate College, iSchool, and YMCA Children's Academy. For information on taking classes at LSC-University Park, visit, LoneStar.edu/StartUP, call 281.290.2600 or email UPAdvising@LoneStar.edu. Academic advisers are available to assist students with questions about course selection, degree plans or the registration process.

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 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.