Cy-Fair Edition | May 2023

HISTORY Lone Star College-CyFair Community college to celebrate 20 years educating local students N early two decades ago, Cy-Fair business leaders recognized the need for a local community college. BY DANICA LLOYD “I SEE US IN THE NEXT 20 YEARS AS A COLLEGE NEEDING TO BE VERY

2023 HIGHER EDUCATION GUIDE

Lone Star College-CyFair was the fth campus in the Lone Star College System and is now the largest campus in the system. 20 YEARS OF GROWTH

2023 1,200 employees 22,500 students buildings 2 satellite campuses 8

2003 YEARS

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ATTUNED TO WHAT OUR STUDENTS NEED FROM US TO BE ABLE TO REACH THEIR INDIVIDUAL POTENTIAL.”

The Lone Star College-CyFair campus opened in 2003 to help close gaps in the region’s workforce and to support students seeking higher education opportunities. Founding President Diane K. Troy- er’s goal was to provide a comprehensive college that met the needs of the Cy-Fair community. The campus has grown from 7,000 students to become the largest campus in the Lone Star College System with 22,500 students, according to LSCCyFair’s fourth president Valerie Jones, who moved into the role last summer. Jones said she believes this growth has been possible because LSCCyFair leadership remains connected with ocials from the Cy-Fair Houston Chamber of Commerce, Cy-Fair ISD and industry partners to ensure the school can meet growing employment demands in the region. These eorts start at the high school level. Jones said thousands of CFISD students take advantage of dual-credit enrollment, through which students can simultaneously earn high school and college credit. Additionally, the College Academy launched in 2017, expanding college credit access for CFISD students by allowing them to earn their associate degree by the time they graduate high school. The 60 credit hours equate to the freshman and sophomore year of a bachelor’s degree, and the cost savings expands future opportunities for many students, Jones said. “As we know, the freshman year of college can be a really challenging experience for any of us—that transition from home life to stepping into adulthood on your own. So, for students to have that academic exposure and experience when they’re still in the supportive environment of a high school structure can be tremendously helpful,” she said. Other unique partnerships over the years include

321 employees 7,000 students 5 total buildings

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VALERIE JONES, LSC CYFAIR PRESIDENT

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a joint public and college library with the Harris County Public Library System oering program- ming for all ages on campus. In response to a growing demand for rst responders, a partnership with Harris County Emergency Services District No. 9 led to the Emer- gency Services Education Center, which features a working re station, training center and Life Flight helipad to train future reghters and paramedics. The main campus on Barker Cypress Road has expanded over time, and two specialty satellite campuses have opened nearby—LSCCypress Center on Clay Road and LSCWestway Park Tech- nology Center o Beltway 8. These facilities house workforce programs, including drafting, machining and welding, as well as information technology, visual communications and cybersecurity. Moving forward, Jones said LSCCyFair will continue to be intentional about being a space for all students to thrive. “I see us in the next 20 years as a college needing to be very attuned to what our students need from us to be able to reach their individual potential,” Jones said. “That means that we need to be an institution that’s exible and innovative to support students in their evolving needs.”

Lone Star College- CyFair 9191 Barker Cypress Road, Cypress 281-290-3200 www.lonestar.edu/cyfair Lone Star College- Cypress Center 19710 Clay Road, Katy 832-920-5000 www.lonestar.edu/ cypresscenter Lone Star College- Westway Park Technology Center 5060 Westway Park Blvd., Houston 346-275-6000 www.lonestar.edu/ westway-center

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CYFAIR EDITION • MAY 2023