Ray Laughter, Lone Star College vice chancellor of external affairs, is set to retire Feb. 28, 2016. Laughter’s retirement will be announced during the September LSCS Board of Trustees meeting.
“Ray Laughter plays such an important role at Lone Star College,” said Steve Head, LSC chancellor. “His efforts really helped grow the community’s trust in our college and was instrumental in getting our 2014 bond election approved.”
Laughter began his career as director of the Small Business Development Center in 1987 and was named vice chancellor of external affairs in 2001.
“I have been privileged to be part of a phenomenal organization that has handled unprecedented growth to become one of the finest community colleges in the nation,” said Laughter. “I am proud of the work we have been able to accomplish and know that Lone Star College will continue to be a leader in higher education for many years to come.”
In addition to his duties as vice chancellor, Laughter also served on numerous boards and committees including the Gulf Coast Workforce Development Board, The Woodlands Economic Development Partnership, the Houston Northwest Chamber of Commerce, the Texas Economic Development Council and is currently chair of the Higher Education Council at the International Economic Development Council.
“I have committed my full service and support to the chancellor and to you through my official retirement date,” said Laughter. “During that time we have much to accomplish and I look forward to working with you every day to better serve the college, our students and the community.”
The office of external affairs serves as the college's primary point of contact with elected and appointed local, state and federal government officials. Under Laughter’s guidance, the college built strategies to help federal, state and local government officials understand the role community colleges play, and their specific needs. In addition, the office holds the charge of overseeing and implementing legislative and regulatory relationships with the congress, state legislature, city council and county commissioners.
Laughter also administers the North Houston Regional Center for Economic Development, the Small Business Development Center and the Community Leadership and Engagement programs. These programs are divisions of LSC that work tirelessly to ensure the LSC service area continues to provide a strong business environment.
When the LSCS Board of Trustees decided to change the name of the college from the North Harris Montgomery Community College to Lone Star College in 2008, Laughter led the rebranding charge to better reflect the growing college system.
Ray Laughter, right, pictured with U.S. Sen. John Cornyn when the senator paid a visit
to the LSC-Conroe Center, is set to retire as Lone Star College vice chancellor of external affairs.
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.
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