Mission

To offer educational opportunities which support people of many cultural backgrounds and which increase awareness about the historical and current challenges that diverse peoples face and about the historical and current contributions made by members of these communities to our country.

Objectives

• To acknowledge differences, to be sensitive to them, and to support them.
• To promote culture and engagement by providing an inclusive, welcoming, and safe environment for everyone of all backgrounds regardless of: race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, military status, gender identity, sexual orientation, differing abilities, age, socio-economic status, or individual differences.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Lone Star College is committed to the principles of equal opportunity in education and employment. Lone Star College does not discriminate on basis of race, color, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, gender expression, religion, ethnic or national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status in its programs and activities, as stated in the LSCS Board Policy Manual.

Disclaimer

None of the expressive activities performed herein are necessarily representative of those of Lone Star College. Click here for the full disclaimer document.

Upcoming Events

What's In a Name?

The Lone Star College Office of Culture and Engagement presents Kiet Le, Culture Impact Manager at LSC-University Park.

Tuesday, January 9, 2024
3:30-5:00 PM
LSC-CyFair Conference Center

Previous Events

What Should I Know About Neurodiversity?

The LSC-CyFair's Cultural Appreciation and Engagement Committee and the Office of Culture and Engagement are hosting this virtual professional development workshop for faculty, staff, and students on December 05, 2023, at 1:00PM. You must register ahead of time to attend this virtual event!

Event Facilitators: Julie Reitzi, Culture Impact Manager from LSC-North Harris campus and Dr. Yolanda Lopez, Culture Impact Manager from LSC-Montgomery campus.

Tuesday, December 5, 2023
1:00 PM
Virtual Event for registered participants only (see link above)

Navigating Narratives: A Conversation with Author Angie Kim on Her Novel Happiness Falls

Angie Kim moved as a preteen from Seoul, South Korea, to the suburbs of Baltimore. After graduating from Interlochen Arts Academy, she studied philosophy at Stanford University and attended Harvard Law School, where she was an editor of the Harvard Law Review. Her debut novel, Miracle Creek, won the Edgar Award, the ITW Thriller Award, the Strand Critics’ Award, and the Pinckley Prize and was named one of the best books of the year by Time, The Washington Post, Kirkus Reviews, and the Today show. Angie Kim lives in northern Virginia with her family. Happiness Falls is her second novel. Connect with her at www.angiekimbooks.com.

Wednesday, October 25, 2023
1:30 pm
Virtual Event (via Zoom)
Passcode: 641731

In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month:

Navegando Mi Sueño ~ Sailing to My Dream

Join us as we listen to Dr. Yolanda Lopez share her experiences as a Latina woman traveling the world, experiencing life in various countries, while keeping focus on her aspirations. Her personal and professional experiences will bring laughter, learning, and reflection as she shares her pursuit of her dreams within the amazingly diverse lenses of the world.

The event will be moderated by Joshua Estrada

Monday, October 9, 2023
2:00 pm
CASA 110
or attend virtually via Zoom

Hope, Resiliency, and Triumph over Tragedy

Staff Sergeant Shilo Harris’ Humvee hit an IED while on patrol in Iraq in February of 2007. In that blast he lost his ears, part of his nose, some fingers and over a third of the skin on his body. He also lost three of his best friends. What followed was an agonizing road to recovery, which began with nearly two months in a medically induced coma. During that time he experienced a version of hell so terrifying, the memories still haunt him today. Harris shares his inspiring story in his memoir, Steel Will: My Journey Through Hell to Become the Man I was Meant to Be.

Thursday, May 4, 2023
1:30 pm
CENT 151/152
Or attend virtually via Zoom (passcode: DEI2023)

The LSC-CyFair Culture & Engagement Committee in celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

A Conversation with Dr. Gerald Napoles

Dr. Gerald Fernandez Napoles currently serves as the Vice Chancellor of Student Success at Lone Star College. Born in the Philippines, his parents moved to Texas in search of a better quality of life. Come join us to learn more about his Asian American experience and his journey through leadership.

The event was moderated by Division III Dean Fay Lee, Ed.D.

Monday, May 1, 2023
9:40 am
CASA 110

In recognition of Autism Awareness Month:

A Conversation with Candis Firchau

Candis Firchau has been a licensed professional counselor for more than 20 years and in private practice in Cypress, Texas for the last 13 years. She also served as a Special education Co-teacher teacher in Cyfair ISD for many years prior to private practice. Some of her training and certifications include ASD Specialist, EMDR training, and Nutrition-based mental health. She has a Masters degrees in Counseling, Juvenile Forensic Psychology, and Special Education with an ABA certification. Candis is also a master gardener and loves growing fruit trees and roses.

The event was moderated by Stephanie Dillon, Disability Counselor at LSC-CyFair.

Thursday, April 20, 2023
12-1pm
CASA 110

The LSC-CyFair Culture & Engagement Committee in celebration of Black History Month

Where Do iBelong at LSC-Cy-Fair?

Building Bridges and Culturally Responsive Teaching: Serving the LSC Black Student Population. Featuring LSC-CyFair EDUC Professors Shamim Arastu, Miguel Burke, Valerie Jefferson, and Erika Stewart-Moore

Tuesday, February 28, 2023
11:30am -12:30pm

2023 Holocaust Remembrance Day

The LSC-CyFair Library and the LSC-CyFair Culture & Engagement Committee are co-sponsors of this event to honor International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

January 25, 2023
11:30 am

Topics discussed by the panelists:

• The origins of the Holocaust Remembrance Association and Holocaust Remembrance Day
• Reconciliation
• Auschwitz
• Holocaust survivors and memorialization of the 1.5 children who died in the Holocaust 
• Why the work of the Holocaust Remembrance Association is so important right now

PANELISTS:

Rozalie Jerome - Holocaust Remembrance Association
President & Executive Director, Holocaust Remembrance Association National Director, March of Remembrance Texas. Raised in a conservative Jewish home, Rozalie is the child of Holocaust survivors rescued by Christians in Hungary.

Emanuel Rund - Holocaust Remembrance Association
Emanuel Rund, successful documentary filmmaker and producer, grew up as the son of German Jews in Israel. When he moved to Germany after completion of training, he noticed that there was in this country no remembrance for the victims of National Socialism–and grabbed the process of memory reprocessing in Germany under the arms. Johanna Strunge has spoken to us by Rund.

Claudia Kiesinger - Holocaust Remembrance Association
Claudia Kiesinger is a relative of former German chancellor Kiesinger, who successfully concealed his top Nazi-career after the war. Her paternal grandfather was an ardent Nazi and follower of Adolf Hitler. This enthusiasm and example remained with him even after the end of the war. Out of a growing desire to know more about this dark cloud  that hung over her family’s past, Claudia took part in the first March of Life, a memorial march at historic locations of the Holocaust,in 2007.

Wednesday, January 25th
11:30 am

The Double-Edged Sword of Modesty and Liberation: How Oppression Is Not What You Wear

This presentation discussed the definition of modesty, liberation, and oppression. Along with explaining how the concept of hijab has been misconstrued and the idea that less clothing means more freedom or more clothing means modesty is something that is used to paint a look of oppression from other sides of political disagreement.

Amena Alhassan is a 21-year-old Muslim Arab-American who graduated from The University of Houston with a Honors B.S in Psychology and a minor in Health Communications. She has worked at Lone Star College-CyFair since she was 17 and received her associates degree here at age 19. She plans to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology and currently works in three different research labs as a research assistant while also working in the Teaching and Learning Center at LSC-CyFair. Her passions include art, psychology, writing, music, and Halloween!

Thursday, November 17th, 2022
11:00 am
TECH 111

In Celebration of National Native American Heritage Month 2022

Reporting on Indigenous Communities in 2022

Shaun Griswold is a journalist in Albuquerque for Source New Mexico. He is a citizen of the Pueblo of Laguna, and his ancestry also includes Jemez and Zuni on the maternal side of his family. He grew up in Albuquerque and Gallup, New Mexico. He brings a decade of print and broadcast news experience. Shaun reports on issues important to Native Americans in urban and tribal communities throughout the state, including education and child welfare.

Wednesday, November 9th, 2022
2:00 pm

In Celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month 2022

Hispanic Contributions in STEM: Past, Present, and Future

John Telles has been teaching Mathematics at Community Colleges and Universities for the past 21 years. He earned his Bachelor's in Mathematics and Master's in Math Education from New Mexico State University. He has been teaching at Lone Star College-Cypress Center for the past nine years. On weekends, he enjoys traveling around the Houston area with his family.

Wednesday, October 12th, 2022
3:00 pm
CASA 110

View the presentation in PDF format

Available as a professional development opportunity through the TLC.

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Building Bridges: Serving the LSC Hispanic Population

In Celebration of National Hispanic Month, The LSC-CyFair Teaching and Learning Center and the LSC-CyFair Culture & Engagement Committee are co-sponsoring, Building Bridges: Serving the LSC Hispanic Population, with Professor Stephanie Krueger.

Lone Star College is a Hispanic Serving Institution, but what does that mean exactly? Join this session to get to know more about our student population and different ways to bridge the gap between the college and them. When we know more about our community, the more we can foster an environment of acceptance and belonging at Lone Star College.

Tuesday, September 27th, 2022
3:00 - 4:00 pm
TECH 111

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Malo-info: The State of Latino Journalism, Disinformation and the Future Browning of the U.S.

In Celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month Sept. 15-Oct. 15, 2022, the LSC-CyFair Culture Engagement Committee presents a conversation with Russell Contreras, Race and Justice reporter for Axios and the co-author of the Axios Latino newsletter.

Contreras covers race, ethnicity, immigration, politics, and Latino issues. Before coming to Axios, he was a member of the Race and Ethnicity Team for The Associated Press and worked as a reporter for the Boston Globe. Contreras is a descendant of Mexican American civil rights leaders in Houston. He's currently working on a book about President John F. Kennedy's last night and his meeting with Mexican American civil rights activists.

Wednesday, September 21st, 2022
2:00-3:00 pm
CASA 110

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In Celebration of Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month 2022

My Journey to the Open Sea...

Cynthia (Cyndi) Deleon Guerrero comes to us from the island of Saipan, the largest of 14 islands that make up the Northern Mariana Islands archipelago, a commonwealth of the United States. Cyndi moved to Texas almost 2 years ago with her family and has enjoyed the different scenery and weather of Texas, but most especially, the diversity of its residents.

Join us to hear Cyndi, a native Chamorro-Carolinian (Refaluwasch) who has served more than 22 years as an educator in the islands and is now Lone Star College’s CyFair Campus Culture & Engagement Manager, as she shares a brief overview of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, its history, its rich Chamorro and Carolinian cultures, and how each has impacted her life’s journey.

Cyndi will also share her Carolinian family’s legendary short story that had been passed on by her ancestors as told to her by her grandmother. She will share how the story’s life lessons provide a glimpse into the values and principles of this vibrant group of people called the “Refaluwasch".

Cyndi earned her bachelor’s degree in education from the Northern Marianas College and her master’s degree in International Teaching from Framingham State University. She has over 18 years of experience in higher education that include serving as a director of admissions and records, as a designated school official for international students, as a faculty member of the NMC School of Education (a 4-year degree program), as dean of academic programs and student services, and as the vice president for learning and student success at the Northern Marianas College. In these roles, Cyndi worked with populations of students, faculty, and staff from all over the world representing various backgrounds and cultures.

In her leisure time, Cyndi loves singing island songs, dancing cultural dances, and painting island sceneries. She considers herself a voice for “Nesian Natives” (Micronesians, Polynesians, and Melanesians) and a strong advocate for equity in all dimensions of diversity.

May 5, 2022
10:00 am CST

Play recording (1 hr 12 mins)

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Culture & Engagement Conversations - Celebrating National Women's History Month

The Tipping Point

When I finally and fully transitioned in 2010 at the age of 45 it was the culmination of a significant part of a life-journey which I had started in my own mind, with my own self-awareness, on my own, in the loneliest way possible, and all of that at the age of four.

My name is Jessica Lynn and I am a transgender woman, originally from California. I now live in sunny Sutton Coldfield, in the West Midlands, England.

Through many experiences, despite living my life within the confines of the gender assigned to me in as rich and productive a way as possible, which included a sports scholarship for soccer, marriage, children, I knew I was not being true to myself, that I was suppressing my pain and I realized that I had to transition. Heartbreakingly, this led me to become the first parent in US history to have their name removed from their own child's birth certificate, despite testimonies from a court appointed psychiatric evaluator citing me as having an active and supportive loving role in all my children’s lives.

This, amongst several other experiences served as the catalyst for me to use my story to help educate about the transgender community. A community which is found, overtly or covertly, in practically every country, every culture, within history. A community which has always had the right to exist in every society.

I have now given over a thousand presentations, in 28 different countries across the globe and hopefully opened many hearts and minds, in society as a whole, to a real understanding of what it means to be transgender.

I do not claim to own every experience of that journey, but I also hope that that these presentations may make the taking of the first step a little bit easier for those who also may need to take it.

Through my presentations and workshops, I hope to improve understanding of what it means to be transgender, not just through my many experiences but also to allow the wonderful people I have met within this community feel empowered and supported to tell their own stories too.

March 9, 2022
1:30 pm CST

Co-sponsored by the LSC ODEI and by the LSC-CyFair Culture & Engagement Committee

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Culture & Engagement Conversations - Celebrating National Women's History Month

Think you know the real story of Thanksgiving? Or what "real" native Americans look like in the 21st century?

Join us to hear Dana Hedgpeth, a Native American journalist, with 25 years of experience at nationally recognized newspapers including the Washington Post, talk about issues of race, peel back the misrepresented and untold histories of the 1st Thanksgiving and American Indians, plus hear about the current issues facing indigenous peoples and their futures. And ask any questions you'd like.

Hedgpeth is a member of the Haliwa-Saponi tribe and has been involved in the Native American Journalists Association, along with several programs that mentor and coach young Native journalists. She writes breaking news at the Washington Post on the local staff and pursues stories on Native Americans.

March 7th,2022
1:22 pm CST

Play recording (1 hr 7 mins)
No password required

Co-sponsored by the LSC ODEI and by the LSC-CyFair Culture & EngagementCommittee

Articles in the Washington Post by Dana Hedgpeth that may interest you:

• This tribe helped the Pilgrims survive their first Thanksgiving. They still regret it 400 years later
• We are still here
• The first Native American in the Olympics his his identity to stay safe
• An all-Native American NFL team was founded 100 years ago - to promote a dog kennel

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Culture & Engagement Conversations - Celebrating Black History Month

Minorities in STEM and Education

Laurette B. Foster, Ed.D is a Professor in the Department of Mathematics at Prairie View A&M University. She is a member of the National Association of Mathematicians (NAM), Mathematics Association of America (MAA), National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), Beta Kappa Chi National Institute of Science, American Association of University Women, Phi Delta Kappa International Educational Fraternity, Research Association of Minority Professors, National Association of Women in Mathematics, and the Benjamin Banneker Association.

Dr. Foster's talk will show how far we've come in promoting STEM and Education to the next generation of leaders and the progress which still needs to be made.

February 24, 2022
11:16 am CST

Play recording (57 minutes)
No password required

Co-sponsored by the LSC ODEI and by the LSC-CyFair Diversity Committee

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Culture & Engagement Conversations - Celebrating Black History Month

The Origins and History of the Environmental Justice Movement

James S. Hoyte, Lexington, MA, recently retired from his position as a senior administrator and lecturer in environmental policy at Harvard University. He is currently an Instructor at the Harvard Extension School and recently a Non Resident Fellow of Harvard's W.E.B Du Bois Institute for African and African American Research. Prior to his recent work at Harvard's Du Bois Institute for African and African American Research, he was Associate Vice President for Equal Opportunity Programs at Harvard University. He was also Lecturer on Environmental Sciences and Public Policy at Harvard College, Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, Faculty Associate of the Harvard Center for the Environment and member of the Harvard University Committee on Environment. While at Harvard he co-founded The Working Group on Environmental Justice. Mr. Hoyte came to Harvard in 1992 after a twenty year career as a lawyer, public policy consultant and government official, including serving as Massachusetts Secretary of Environmental Affairs.

In addition to giving the origins and history of the Environmental Justice Movement, Mr. Hoyte's talk will highlight environmental issues pertaining to Harris County as well.

Feb 16, 2022
9:00 - 10:00 am CST

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Strategic centrality of Latinos to the future of the United States - and our corresponding responsibility to the nation

Fernando Espuelas is a journalist, media and tech entrepreneur, CEO, and political strategist. He is the Host & Producer of "The Fernando Espuelas Show" and "Destino 2020 con Fernando Espuelas" on Univision. Espuelas has hosted national TV and radio programs, and contributed to CBS News, CNN.com, C-SPAN, FoxNews Latino, France 24, Hearst Television & Radio, The Hill, The Huffington Post, iHeart, NPR News, MSNBC, La Opinión, Sky News, Spotify, Univision TV & Radio, and other platforms. One of the Internet's pioneers, Espuelas co-founded StarMedia Network, Inc. StarMedia led the way in the development of the Latin American Internet industry, including raising the first dollar of venture funding and first IPO for a Latin American Internet company. StarMedia was renowned for product innovations like the first free email service, first instant messaging system, first online TV network with CBS News, and other breakthrough mobile and broadband Internet services that impacted the lives of millions of people. CNN and Time magazine named Espuelas one of the “Leaders of the Millennium,” and he was designated an “All-Star” leader by Crain’s New York Business magazine. The World Economic Forum includes him among its "Global Leaders of Tomorrow," and he received Latin Trade Magazine’s Bravo award for CEO of the Year. PODER Magazine named him one of the 100 Most Influential Hispanics in the United States. The U.S. Hispanic IT Executive Council (HITEC) included Espuelas in its HITEC 100, the list of "Most Influential Hispanics and Rising Stars in Information Technology." Espuelas was previously Co-Chairman of Mercury Public Affairs; CEO of American Latinos United; CEO of VOY, LLC; Managing Director of Marketing Communications at AT&T Americas; Latin American Regional Account Director at Ogilvy; Founder & Managing Director of Ogilvy Direct Argentina; and held positions at Wunderman and Lowe & Partners in New York. Espuelas co-founded and was Chairman of the StarMedia Foundation. With the Inter-American Development Bank and Microsoft, the StarMedia Foundation funded technology schools in Brazil, Colombia, and Uruguay. He has also served on the Board of Directors of the Educational Broadcasting Corporation (owner of PBS flagship station Thirteen), as well as on the Board of Trustees of Connecticut College. He served on the Board of Directors of Parent Revolution, a nonprofit public school advocacy group. He was also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Wesley School in Los Angeles. Espuelas received a B.A. in History with Distinction from Connecticut College.

Oct. 12, 2021
12:21 pm CST

Play recording (1 hour, 16 minutes)
No password required

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How Community Colleges Create a Lifeline for Students of Color

Russell Contreras is the Race and Justice reporter for Axios and the co-author of the Axios Latino newsletter. He covers race, ethnicity, immigration, politics, Latino issues, and the American Southwest. Before coming to Axios, Contreras was a member of the Race and Ethnicity Team for The Associated Press and worked as a reporter for the Boston Globe. Contreras is a descendant of Mexican American civil rights leaders in Houston. He's currently working on a book about President John F. Kennedy's last meeting with Mexican Americans. He is a graduate of the University of Houston (BA History and English) and Columbia University's School of the Arts where he received a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. But he attended North Harris Community College (now Lone Star in 1993) after struggling his first semester.

Oct. 4, 2021
1:17 pm NOON CST

Play recording (1 hour, 5 minutes)
No password required

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The First Latina in Many Newsrooms: A Conversation with Maria Hinojosa

Maria Hinojosa dreamt of a space where she could create independent, multimedia journalism that explores and gives a critical voice to the diverse American experience. She made that dream a reality in 2010 when she created Futuro Media, an independent, nonprofit newsroom based in Harlem, NYC with the mission to create multimedia content from a POC perspective. As Anchor and Executive Producer of the Peabody Award-winning show Latino USA , distributed by PRX, and Co-Host of Futuro Media’s award-winning political podcast In The Thick, Hinojosa has informed millions about the changing cultural and political landscape in America and abroad.

Tuesday, April 6, 2021
3:06 pm CST

Play recording (56 minutes)
No password required

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A History of Anti-Asian American Racism in America and One Perspective on the Experiences of Some Immigrants in America

Join the conversation with Fay Lee, Professor of Education.

Thursday, April 1 at 12:00 pm CST

Play recording (87 minutes)
No password required

Fay Lee, Professor of Education at LSC-CyFair:

- One Asian American Experience
- One Perspective of Asian Immigrants in America

Some tactics to use if you witness a hate crime.

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Native Languages and Latinx: The Pew Research Center on Latino and Hispanic Identities

Jens Manuel Krogstad is a senior writer and editor at Pew Research Center. He has authored or edited hundreds of studies on topics that include global migration, Latino public opinion, Hispanic demographic trends and U.S. border enforcement. Prior to joining Pew Research Center, Krogstad spent nine years as a reporter at newspapers such as The Des Moines Register and USA Today. He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota.

Tuesday, March 30
2:00 pm CST

Play recording (64 minutes)
No password required

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A Conversation with Justin Deabler

This virtual session with the author of the fictional novel "Lone Stars" will include a reading from the book followed by discussion, exploring various identities in the novel— including gender, immigration status, national origin, and sexual orientation. Deabler will also discuss the process of writing a fictional novel, while integrating elements from his personal life experience.

Co-Hosts: Dan Mitsven, and LSC-Kingwood
Wednesday, February 10 at 3:00 - 4:00 pm

Play recording (57 minutes)
No password required

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Understanding (Trans)Gender in our Community

The LSC-CyFair Diversity Committee and guests from Legacy Community Health discuss understanding gender and transgender in every day life and why it's important now. The following related materials are also available in PDF format: Gender Diversity 101, a Checklist to Support LGBTQ During Distance Learning, and FAQs About Transgender People.

Host: Joshua Estrada
Wednesday, January 27th
1:10 pm CST

Play recording (1 hr 4 mins)
No password required

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AP Reporter — Russell Contreras

A conversation with AP reporter Russell Contreras about race and history as they pertain to the Hispanic and the Latino/a communities, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month.

Monday, October 12, 2020
2:21 pm CST

Play recording (1 hr 1 mins)
No password required

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HISD Superintendent — Dr. Grenita Lathan

A conversation concerning minority students, education, and equity in HISD with HISD Interim Superintendent, Dr. Grenita Lathan.
Hosts: Fay Lee and Joshua Estrada
Wednesday, September 16, 2020
12:03 pm CST

Play recording (1 hr 51 mins)
No password required

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UT Professor — Dr. Peniel Joseph

A conversation on Black Lives Matter and voter suppression with Dr. Peniel Joseph, Professor of History and Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin and founding Director of the Center for the Study of Race and Democracy.
Host: Fay Lee
Wednesday, September 8, 2020
1:03 pm CST

Play recording (1 hr 17 mins)
No password required