Lone Star College-Victory Center, the new full-service satellite center of LSC-North Harris located at the corner of South Victory and Vogel, is nearing completion. Since breaking ground less than a year ago, many have watched anxiously as construction on the 85,000-square-foot facility progressed. Now, with the exterior almost fully-complete, the previously-vacant, 17-acre site has been transformed, and the center is expected to open its doors before the start of the college’s August 29 fall semester.
“The opening of LSC-Victory center is a much-anticipated milestone for the college and the community,” said Dr. Steve Head, president of LSC-North Harris. “Working together, I believe we have created the best possible destination for individuals in the community who want to better themselves, and their careers, through education.”
When it opens, the state-of-the art building will offer expanded higher education options and new accessibility for the Acres Homes and Inwood Forest neighborhoods surrounding it. Registration for fall classes began in April, and more than 400 students have already enrolled.
“In addition to fast-track workforce offerings such as welding and construction trades, LSC-Victory Center will offer a full-range of academic programs to students, including the ability to complete an associate of arts or associate of science degree, from start to finish,” said Dr. Larry Rideaux, associate vice president of college centers.
The larger selection of classes is something Kesha Gould, a 33-year-old student who began taking classes at LSC-Carver Center in January, is looking forward to. She was among the first to register for classes at LSC-Victory Center.
“I’m planning to enter college’s nursing program, but taking my basic classes close to home is really helpful,” she said. “The new center is obviously a lot bigger, so I’m hoping it will be easier to get the classes and schedule that I want.”
The small size of LSC-Carver Center, the college’s previous center in the area, limited the number of classes and programs that could be offered. While it is still open for summer classes, it will be replaced by LSC-Victory Center starting this fall.
As a resident of the neighborhood, she also appreciates what it means for the community.
“Going to school is hard enough, so anything that makes it more convenient, like having it close enough to take the bus or get a ride from someone if you don’t have a car, makes a huge difference for a lot a people,” she added.
In addition to typical community college students like Gould, the new center will also house Victory Early College High School, a partnership between Aldine ISD and LSC-North Harris, which provides students with the opportunity to pursue a high school diploma and simultaneously earn college credit.
LSC-Victory Center is the first major construction project in an area seeking revitalization and has already been recognized for the potential impact it can have on Houston’s workforce. In June of 2010, Lone Star College System announced that it had received a $1.4 million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) to help build the LSC-Victory Center and establish a vocational training center designed to provide workers with the critical skills needed to compete for higher-skill, living-wage job opportunities.
Lone Star College-North Harris is located at 2700 W.W. Thorne Drive, one-half mile south of FM 1960 East, between Aldine-Westfield and Hardy Roads. For more information about the college, call 281.618.5400 or visit LoneStar.edu/NorthHarris.
With more than 69,000 students in credit classes for fall 2010, and a total enrollment of more than 85,000, Lone Star College System is the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area, and the fastest-growing community college system in Texas. Dr. Richard Carpenter is the chancellor of LSCS, which consists of five colleges including LSC-CyFair, LSC-Kingwood, LSC-Montgomery, LSC-North Harris, and LSC-Tomball, six centers, LSC-University Park, LSC-University Center at Montgomery, LSC-University Center at University Park, Lone Star Corporate College, and LSC-Online. To learn more visit LoneStar.edu.
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