TOMBALL, Texas – When Lone Star College-Tomball started its TRiO Program in 2010, the goal was to help students with potential barriers to success in their lives excel in college. Today, 58 TRiO Student Support Services students have earned 58 bachelor degrees and just this spring, 31 TRiO graduates had a 3.0 or higher grade point average.

“These are amazing numbers,” said Emmitt Carter, TRiO program manager. “It warms my heart to see our students doing so well, especially when you know all of the obstacles they have overcome.”

TRiO Student Support Services is a federally funded grant program dedicated to helping first-generation students, economically disadvantaged students and students with disabilities. First-generation students are those who are the first in their family’s history to earn a higher education. The work done by TRiO Student Support Services program is reflected in the number of students who have been supported, their high graduation rate higher grades, and acceptance and transfer to four-year universities.

Lone Star College has TRiO Student Support Services programs at LSC-Tomball and LSC-North Harris.

“We serve 140 students each year here at Tomball,” Carter revealed. “We had approximately 35 graduate or transfer in spring 2018, and we’re looking to bring on 65 to 70 new students in the fall.” 

Carter noted that since 2010:

• 161 TRiO students have graduated from LSC-Tomball
• 47 percent of 31 TRiO 2018 graduates had a GPA of 3.0 or higher
• 65 percent of the TRiO 2018 graduates have been accepted into 4-year universities
• TRiO students have earned 58 bachelor’s degrees and two master’s degrees since 2010

Carter explained that what makes TRiO so effective for students is that it goes beyond the classroom. “We provide training, workshops, and mentoring on things such as how to communicate with people in the workforce, how to dress, how to build a network,” Carter said. “We try to instill in students to think big picture, to think on a global scale, and about developing as leaders.”

Carter went on to point out that to help ensure TRiO students develop into leaders, the TRiO Advisory Council helps guide students through the process. In addition, its Trailblazing Gavel Club helps students with public speaking skills through a partnership with the local Toastmasters Club.

As a first-generation student himself, Carter said, his role as manager of LSC-Tomball’s TRiO Program allows his to understand what students are going through on a daily basis. “I feel like it’s my duty to be an advocate and help TRiO students navigate the obstacles they face,” Carter said. “I’m very excited

about our students’ accomplishments and I’m looking forward to the accomplishments they will achieve in the future.”

To learn more about the TRiO Student Support Services program visit http://www.lonestar.edu/tomball-trio.

Lone Star College-Tomball is located at 30555 Tomball Parkway, at the intersection of SH 249 and Zion Road. For more information about the college, call 281.351.3300 or visit LoneStar.edu/Tomball.

-30-

Known for its leadership, innovation and steadfast commitment to student success, Lone Star College provides high-quality academic transfer and workforce education/career training programs to more than 83,000 credit students each semester, and a total enrollment of 95,000 students. LSC is training tomorrow’s workforce today and redefining the community college experience to promote student success and economic prosperity. Stephen C. Head, Ph.D., is the chancellor of LSC, the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area, which consists of six colleges, eight centers, two university centers, Lone Star Corporate College and LSC-Online. To learn more visit LoneStar.edu.