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!

Carlos R. Morales, President

Carlos R. Morales, Ph.D., is the inaugural president of Lone Star College-Online. Dr. Morales comes to Lone Star College System from Tarrant County College in Fort Worth, where he served as founding president of the college’s virtual campus.

Dr. Morales’ experience spans more than 20 years as a faculty member of Biology and Science Education in the classroom and online. He has held progressive administrative roles as Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at Ana G. Mendez University System-Virtual Campus; Executive Director of Academic Technologies at Lock Haven University and Instructional Designer at New Jersey City University.

Dr. Morales is the author of internationally peer-reviewed academic articles, book chapters and has conducted more than 90 refereed conference presentations. Throughout his career, Dr. Morales has used technology to improve teaching and learning. He is enthusiastic about incorporating technology advancements that engage students in the learning process, and that helps faculty to enhance teaching methods. He has accomplished this through the development of instructional technology training sessions, designing and implementing technology-enriched classrooms, and the development of fully online college degrees.

Dr. Morales serves on several boards at the regional and national levels in the United States and is actively engaged as a peer reviewer on editorial boards for academic journals in the United States, Puerto Rico, Latin America, and the European Union.

Dr. Morales graduated from the Inter American University of Puerto Rico, with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Biology and Science Education, and received his doctorate from Capella University in Instructional Design for Online Learning. He was a Frye Fellow in 2009, and in 2012, the American Association of State Colleges and Universities named him a Millennium Leadership Fellow.

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.