Lone Star College-University Park's (LSC-University Park) ReadUP program recently coordinated an interdisciplinary field trip to Galveston, Texas, engaging students, faculty, and staff in a multi-faceted educational experience. The trip complemented this semester's ReadUP book selection, “The Last Karankawas: A Novel,” enhancing academic learning across multiple disciplines.
The book by Kimberly Garza delves into the interconnected lives of a tight-knit community in Galveston, exploring themes of family, resilience, and identity against the backdrop of looming ecological change.
LSC-University Park professors Bryn Benford (Geology), Chris Allen (Biology), and Jamie Stoops (History) served as educational guides, exploring the geological, biological, and historical aspects of Galveston with attendees.
“This field trip to Galveston, where we discussed the intersections of history and geology, embraced one of the themes of the book,” said Benford. “Working with our diverse student population to learn about the history of immigration in Galveston and how natural disasters have shaped the area is such a critical part of understanding where we live.”
ReadUP is a faculty-driven common reading initiative designed to involve the entire LSC-University Park community in critical thinking and in-depth discussions throughout the academic year. Now in its sixth year, the ReadUP program continues to be an integral part of academic and community life at LSC-University Park, reaffirming the institution's commitment to fostering intellectual curiosity, lifelong learning, and civic engagement.
"One of the goals of ReadUP is to encourage students to form connections between the selected book, their own lives, and different academic disciplines,” said Stoops. “This field trip was designed to help students connect this year's book, “The Last Karankawas,” to local history and geology. Students learned about coastal erosion, immigration history, natural disasters, as well as personal stories of events like Hurricane Ike.”
On Thursday, February 29, 2024, LSC-University Park will host a ReadUP author visit and book signing with Garza, during which Garza will participate in a Q&A session with faculty, staff, and students about her featured work.
For more information on the ReadUP program at LSC-University Park and its mission, visit LoneStar.eduLoneStar.edu/UP-ReadUP.
LSC-University Park offers more than 70 programs of study, including credit and non-credit courses, workforce training, and continuing education classes. Classes can be taken during the day, evenings, and weekends in traditional, online, and hybrid formats. For more information or to register online, visit www.lonestar.edu/upstudentsupport, call 281-290-2600, or email UPAdvising@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.
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. Mario K. Castillo, J.D., serves as Chancellor of LSC, the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area. LSC has been named a 2023 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.