The Lone Star College OEM's mission is to provide the LSC community with training, education, and support in all hazardous areas.

Such as:

• Pro-Active Safety & Security Awareness
• Risk Assessment
• Intelligence
• Mitigate
• Equipped

Our PRIME goal is the safety of the LSC Community!

Staff

Derrick D. Harris, Office of Emergency Management Director

Derrick Harris has worked for Lone Star College (LSC) for over 10 years. He graduated from Liberty University with a Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice. Derrick began his Law Enforcement career in 2004, working for Spring Independent School District as a Police Officer and in 2007 for Harris County Constables Precinct 1 as a Deputy Constable. In 2009 he transitioned to Lone Star College at the Kingwood Campus as a Police Officer. In 2011 he was promoted to Sergeant.

In 2018, he began a new journey as a Senior Business Analyst and Project Manager within the LSC Office of Emergency Management (OEM). And after a year, he became the Director of the Office of Emergency Management.

During his first year as Director, he implemented the LSC Continuity of Operations Plan and constructed the LSC Emergency Operations Plan. He developed policies and procedures according to Texas Education Code. He is certified in several FEMA courses and is a Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) instructor.

When he is not working as a full-time Director, he is an Adjunct Professor, educating students in Education (Educ)1300 or Criminal Justice.

Office Phone: 281.618.1107
Email: Derrick.D.Harris@lonestar.edu

Cheryl C. Cepeda, Office of Emergency Management Manager

Cheryl is originally from the island of Saipan, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

She began working as a Family Resource Coordinator with the Division of Youth Services in the CNMI. She also worked as a Criminal Justice Planner with the Criminal Justice Planning Agency for 4 years.

Cheryl has been with Lone Star College for over 10 years. In 2012, she served as the Program Manager for the Service Training Officers Prevention Program (STOPP), mitigating Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking on campus.

In 2016, she became the Manager for the Office of Emergency Management (OEM), managing the department's day-to-day operations, assisting the Director with maintaining the Emergency Management Plans, conducting various emergency preparedness drills and exercises, and developing resources to educate community members on emergency response. She has completed several FEMA courses, including the Professional Development Series and Continuity of Operations Planning courses.  

Cheryl enjoys spending time with her family, watching international films, and cooking.

Office Phone: 281.618.1108
Email: Cheryl.C.Cepeda@lonestar.edu