LSC-Tomball Research and Innovation Center
UPDATE | VIDEOS | BOOK CLUB | PHOTO GALLERY | SERVICES | TEAM
ABOUT
The Research and Innovation Center explores and implements new ideas, initiatives, and interventions that foster innovation and support the Lone Star College-Tomball student life cycle. Its programs encompass concepts in technology literacy, data literacy, human literacy, and cognitive skills, including critical thinking, systems thinking, entrepreneurship, and cultural agility.
DEPARTMENT UPDATE
Innovation Showcase May 2025
Article Title: Research and Innovation in Action at Lone Star College-Tomball
Author: Isabelle Chen
Publisher: The League for Innovation in the Community College
PROGRAM UPDATE—FALL 2025
Vibe Board Program: Lunch & Learn
Discover how Vibe Smart Whiteboard technology can enhance student engagement, streamline lessons, and bring your teaching to the next level.
- Vibe & Thrive: Transform Your Teaching with Interactive Technology
- Dates: September 3, September 17, October 1, October 15, and October 29, 2025
Time: 12:30 pm - 1:00 pm - Location: E253
- Learn more about the Vibe Smart Whiteboard HERE.
Virtual Reality Certification Program
Join our Meta Quest VR training and discover how to engage students in immersive, interactive ways. Start with level one to master the basics, then drive into level two to bring VR into your lessons with confidence.
- Dates: September 5, September 19, October 3, October 17, October 31, and November 14, 2025
- Time: Friday, 8 am to 2 pm
- Location: LSC-Tomball VR Lab, East Building, Room E251
- Register Today!
VIDEOS
Ed U Trends Talk: Navigating the Digital Future of Higher Education
Watch on YouTube - Click Here
The event aims to foster thought-provoking discussions on current trends in higher education, focusing on digital learning. By bringing together diverse perspectives from across the LSC Systems, we aim to equip our members with the knowledge and insights necessary to navigate the evolving digital future of higher education.
Date recorded: October 2, 2024
Moderator: Kentrie LeDee, Director of Office of Strategy and Innovation
Panelists:
- Clark Friesen, Professor of Speech, LSC-Tomball
- Kienia Green-Murindagomo, Senior Instructional Designer, LSC-System
- Dr. Neil Gregerson, Senior Instructional Designer, LSC-System
- Tim Mousel, Professor of Kinesiology, LSC-Online (LSC Engage – Generative AI in Education)
AI Movies and Discussion: WALL-E
Watch on YouTube - Click Here
This engaging panel discussion ignites a conversation about AI revolving around WALL-E. AI's rapid evolution sheds light on its current and prospective influence in shaping our shared future, aimed at inspiring critical thinking.
Date recorded: September 26, 2023
Moderator: Julissa Guajardo, Technician II for Video Production and Virtual Reality at LSC-Tomball
Panelists: Dr. Bill Simcik, Professor of Biology at LSC-Tomball, and Pablo Jimenez, President of Innovation Club at LSC-Tomball.
AI Movies and Discussion: i,Robot
Watch on YouTube - Click Here
This panel discussion ignites a conversation about AI's rapid evolution, shedding light on its current influence in our world and its prospective role in shaping our shared future. These thoughtful exchanges aim to inspire critical thinking on this emerging technology.
Date recorded: October 17, 2023
Moderator: Julissa Guajardo, Technician II for Video Production and Virtual Reality at LSC-Tomball
Panelists: Cory Colby, Professor of Government at LSC-Tomball, and Vicente Guel, President of Juggling Club at LSC-Tomball.
Entrepreneur Series: My Entrepreneur Journey as an Architect
Watch on YouTube - Click Here
Mr. C.C. Lee is a world-renowned architect, philosopher, developer, Feng Shui master, artist, teacher, and author. In this session, he shares his stories of becoming a thriving entrepreneur as an architect.
Date recorded: September 26, 2023
Facilitator: Isabelle Chen, Coordinator III for Research and Innovation at LSC-Tomball
Speaker: C.C. Lee, Founder of STOA Architects
Entrepreneur Series: My Entrepreneur Journey as an Architect
Watch on YouTube - Click Here
Julissa is a full-time employee at Lone Star College as a video production and virtual reality technician and a current college student working on a second professional degree. On top of different roles, Julissa is a thriving young entrepreneur who shares inspirational stories and tactical startup strategies with attendees in this session, focusing on the mindset and energy incorporated to launch their entrepreneurial dreams.
Date recorded: October 26, 2023
Facilitator: Isabelle Chen, Coordinator III for Research and Innovation at LSC-Tomball
Speaker: Julissa Guajardo, Founder of Juls Media
FIRESIDE CHAT: OpenAI - ChatGPT in Higher Education
Watch on YouTube - Click Here
This forum brings together faculty members for a panel discussion to delve into the potential impact of ChatGPT in higher education.
Date recorded: February 22, 2023
Moderator: Van Piercy, English Professor
Panelists: Ginger Fray, English Associate Professor; Kyle Solak, Ph.D., English Faculty Lead - LSC-Tomball; Kayla Almaguer, English Assistant Professor
Fireside Chat: Technology Literacy, Data Literacy, and Human Literacy in the Evolution of Higher Education
Watch on YouTube - Click Here
The Evolution of Higher Education in the use of Technology, Data, and Human Literacy
This session brings together experts from the areas of technology, data analytics, and sociology to share their perspectives on the past, present, and future of digital, data, and human literacy that shape the educational landscape.
Date recorded: October 4, 2022
Moderator: Dr. Jackie Thomas, Chief Strategist of Lone Star College-Tomball
Panelists: Loyd B. Huhn, Innovation Lab Specialist of Tomball Community Innovation Lab; Kawandanell Jaramillo, Data Analyst at Lone Star College; Dr. Janie Filoteo, Sociology Professor at Lone Star College-Tomball
LSC-Tomball Research and Innovation Center Introduction
Watch on YouTube - Click Here
Innovation Symposium 2023 Day 1
Watch on YouTube - Click Here
Topic: Innovate the Future of Higher Education
Keynote Speaker: Ashley J. Jennings
Innovation Symposium 2023 Day 2
Watch on YouTube - Click Here
Topic: Innovate the Future of Higher Education
Fireside Chat: Dr. Erin Baumgartner and Dr. Jan E. Odegard
For more information on the LSC-Tomball Innovation Symposium, visit https://www.lonestar.edu/symposium.
BOOK CLUB
LONE STAR COLLEGE-TOMBALL RESEARCH AND INNOVATION CENTER BOOK CLUB
Read More - Click Here
PHOTO GALLERY
 Tour of the Ion Houston Read More - Click Here |
 The Infinite Houston Read More - Click Here |
 The Ion Houston Opening Ceremony Read More - Click Here |
SERVICES
View past R&I program offerings [HERE]
Book Research and Innovation Center space for your events [HERE]
Schedule a VR Lab [HERE]
TEAM
Kentrie LeDee [Email]
Kentrie LeDee currently serves as the Director for Strategy and Innovation that she provides leadership to the Department of Strategy and Innovation starting in 2022 (formerly COTE since 2016) and the Research and Innovation Center at Lone Star College-Tomball and has worked in the field of education for more than 14 years. Kentrie received her MBA from the University of Phoenix in 2009 and her Bachelor of Health Sciences from Armstrong Atlantic State University in 2002 after exiting the United States Air Force where she was formally trained in the healthcare field of Aerospace Medicine. Though the start of her career was in healthcare, Kentrie has always enjoyed the education environment, began teaching in 2003 for the Public Education Bureau of Orange County Fire Rescue Department, and by 2006 began teaching medical assisting in a formal education environment.
Isabelle Chen [Email]
Isabelle Chen has served at Lone Star College-Tomball since 2019. In her current role as Coordinator III for Research and Innovation, she has managed the daily operations of the Research and Innovation Center since its launch in October 2022 and overseen the VR Lab since its reopening in February 2025. She holds a master's degree in arts education from San Jose State University. With over two decades of professional experience in higher education spanning Taiwan and the U.S., she has facilitated workshops, managed government-funded programs, and executed projects that guide institutional development. Throughout her career, Isabelle has demonstrated her passion for education by bringing collaboration, precision, and an unwavering belief in lifelong learning to everything she does.
Tylor Wurz [Email]
Tylor supports the development of Lone Star College’s XR Lab as part-time VR Tech. He works with faculty and students to explore how extended reality (XR) technologies can enhance teaching and learning, providing setup assistance, technical support, and guidance as the college begins integrating immersive tools into the classroom.
VALUES
Learning | Leadership | Community | Connection | Futuristic | Integrity