This month, we spotlight Alejandro Perez, a former LSC-North Harris student who earned his Associate of Applied Science degree in Machining Technology. Originally from Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico, Perez and his family first moved to Houston when he was nine years old, after living in South Texas.
“I come from a big family. My mother had 12 siblings, and my father has 10,” Perez shared. “My household currently consists of me, my girlfriend, her two kids, and our chocolate lab. We still have large get-togethers every so often as a family, it’s the newer generation.” One of Perez’s greatest influences has been his father.
“My dad doesn’t realize it, but his resiliency to get us to a better life really made an impact,” Perez mused. “It’s the small things that make me want to be a better version of myself.” Perez confessed that like most young adults, he did not know what he wanted to do with his life. It wasn’t until he was picking up a family member at LSC-North Harris that Perez first set foot on campus and entered the Student Services Building. The rest is history.
“I started my education in 2017 to get a machining certificate,” Perez said, “but with the help and motivation of my professors, I graduated with an associate degree at the end of 2020. Since then, I returned earlier this year to continue my education and earn my bachelor’s degree in Emergency, Manufacturing, and Trades Management, where I am able to embrace every training opportunity and innovation, including the use of collaborative robots (COBOTs). Perez credits his time at LSC-North Harris for molding him into who he is today, stating that he has matured and found his calling.
“I gave it everything I had in every class I attended, and continue to do so now,” Perez said. “My life is much better thanks to Lone Star College. One of my greatest accomplishments so far was teaching at LSC-North Harris as an adjunct. I feel like I made an impact. I love teaching and helping others around me be better.
“What I love the most about LSC-North Harris are the people and the atmosphere around campus. I have not had a bad experience with anybody or anyone in every department on campus. Lone Star College really has impacted my life for the better.”