The LSC-Online Leadership team works collaboratively to ensure LSC-Online students receive the support services and quality instruction you expect from Lone Star College. Our team of highly regarded experts in online learning dedicate themselves to promoting student success. They also work diligently to provide safe and inclusive learning experiences for our student body so you can live your life and thrive online!

Laura Bettencourt, Interim President

Dr. Bettencourt began her career at the North Carolina Community College System as a full-time faculty member of psychology. She later held leadership positions including Department Chair, Assistant Dean, Senior Assessment Coordinator, and Division Chair (Dean) prior to joining LSC in 2017.

Dr. Bettencourt is deeply committed to advancing opportunities for historically underrepresented student populations, and this has remained her focus throughout her career. She has contributed to several institutional student success agendas, including work with Achieving the Dream, Pathways, and Completion by Design initiatives. And, she has implemented robust faculty-driven development programs at each institution for which she has served.

Dr. Bettencourt holds an Ed.D. in Higher Education and Organizational Change from Benedictine University, an M.A. in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and a B.A. in Psychology from Marshall University.

Vincent Nguyen, Executive Director of Online Student Services and Enrollment

Vincent Nguyen’s personal motto is, “Providing quality student services is key to overall student success.” Beginning his collegiate career in competitive Taekwondo (1991) and Student Life (1995), Mr. Nguyen brought with him a multi-faceted view of the unique needs of online students when he joined LSC-Online in 2014. Because Vincent finds true happiness supporting LSC-Online students, he has led several noteworthy projects to bring quality online support services to all students across the Lone Star College System, including: the development of the Virtual Learning Assistance Center (VLAC), integrating a live online chat function within the Lone Star student portal, and that’s to just a name a few. LSC-Online is the best choice you can make in developing yourself on your time!

Vincent Nguyen holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Texas at Tyler, A.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies from Tyler Junior College, and is wrapping up his studies for his M.S. in Kinesiology with a concentration in Sports Management from UTRGV 

Jess Kelly, Executive Director of Online Teaching and Learning 

Dr. Kelly began his teaching career serving several 2-year colleges as an adjunct professor of Biology, before moving to Baylor University as an administrator and Senior Lecturer of Forensic Science.  He later held a full-time faculty position at Ouachita Baptist University in Biology as well as the position of Coordinator of Scientific Inquiry. Later, he served as the Director of Research at Arkansas Academy of Science, before joining Dallas College where he served as Coordinator of Workforce Programs, Senior Executive Dean of STEM, and Executive Dean of the School of Health Sciences.  He joined Lone Star College in January of 2021 as Dean of Instruction for Mathematics and Sciences at LSC-University Park.

Dr. Kelly is deeply committed to advancing educational opportunities to historically underrepresented communities and to the development and implementation of early student success initiatives.  He has worked in program assessment and development, with experience in SACSCOC and HLC compliance, Achieving the Dream, NACADA, and Guided Pathways development.  He has been committed to the development of faculty and staff at each institution, seeking to support and advance the career trajectories of those he works alongside.

Dr. Kelly holds a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from Baylor University, an M.S. in Limnology and Applied Statistics from Stephen F. Austin State University, a B.S. in Biology and Chemistry from Stephen F. Austin State University, and an A.S. in Biology and Chemistry from Tyler Junior College.