Lone Star College-North Harris has placed in the top 10 percent among “Extra-Large Colleges” on three of the six benchmarks in the 2014 Survey of Entering Student Engagement (SENSE).

The SENSE survey is administered by the Center for Community College Student Engagement and helps community and technical colleges focus on the “front door” of the college experience. Grounded in research about what works in retaining and supporting entering students, the SENSE collects and analyzes data about institutional practices and student behaviors in the earliest weeks of college.

SENSE’s national benchmarks of effective educational practice in community and technical colleges address these six issues: (1) Early Connections, (2) High Expectations and Aspirations, (3) Clear Academic Plan and Pathway, (4) Effective Track to College Readiness, (5) Engaged Learning, and (6) Academic and Social Support Network.

In the “Extra-Large College” category, comprised of 31 similarly-sized community colleges from across the country, LSC-North Harris placed:

·         Second overall in Early Connections (measured strength of early connections to someone at the college)

·         Third overall in Clear Academic Plan and Pathway (measured availability of advising and clarity of academic plans and goals)

·         Second overall in Effective Track to College Readiness (measured effectiveness of student assessment and academic support strategies)

“The positive feedback from LSC-North Harris students indicated by these results represent the college’s deep commitment to student success,” said Dorothy Dixon, dean of academic success initiatives for LSC-North Harris. “The findings also reflect the hard work of our faculty and staff, and their ability to connect with students and provide them with the resources and direction needed to reach their goals. I am extremely proud of this accomplishment, and congratulate all those who contribute daily to LSC-North Harris’ continued success.”

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.

Lone Star College has been opening doors to a better community for more than 40 years. Founded in 1973, LSC remains steadfast in its commitment to student success and credential completion. Today, with almost 83,000 students in credit classes, and a total enrollment of more than 95,000, Lone Star College is the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area and one of the fastest-growing community colleges in the nation. Stephen C. Head, Ph.D., is the chancellor of LSC, which consists of six colleges including LSC-CyFair, LSC-Kingwood, LSC-Montgomery, LSC-North Harris, LSC-Tomball and LSC-University Park, seven centers, 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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