Looking at Lone Star College-North Harris up close reveals more than 1,100 employees fulfilling the college's mission at LSC-North Harris and LSC-East Aldine Center. Their collective experience and dedication make the college a standout in higher education. One of those employees is Ovi Galvan.
As Dean of Student Services at Lone Star College-North Harris, Galvan is responsible for a variety of departments and teams. Galvan’s purview includes: advising, career planning and academic transfer, counseling services, diversity initiatives, Student Life, TRIO and veteran’s services.
Why Galvan is successful as Dean of Student Services and how he came to the role, is based in part on his background and personal experience.
Galvan was born in Harlingen, Texas. He has no siblings. Their small family moved to New Orleans a month after his birth and returned to Texas five years later for his father’s job. They settled in the Heights area, and he has lived in the community ever since.
Galvan has a large extended family and is very close to them. He lives just 10 minutes away from his parents’ home. However, growing up as an only child, he was eager to meet people and make friends at school. Galvan quickly got involved in many groups and activities.
“I loved being involved in Student Council and Student Government, and I was also a member of the French Club, Chess Club, Civics Club, Marksmanship Team, Honor Society, Yearbook and JROTC,” said Galvan. “I really enjoyed JROTC and spent several summers during my high school years training at various military stations throughout Texas.”
His involvement in JROTC proved fortuitous. His JROTC instructor recognized his interest and encouraged Galvan to get involved in the Mayor’s Youth Council, the Chief of Police’s Advisory Council, and other community organizations.
“Retired U.S. Major Army Ranger Robert Savage was very influential in my early high school years,” said Galvan. “He was the one that suggested I attend Texas A&M. I liked the idea and wound up joining the Corps of Cadets there.”
After Texas A&M, Galvan pursued a master’s in political science at the University of Saint Thomas. Nearing completion of his studies, he heard Lone Star College-CyFair needed a Political Science instructor.
The start of the term was just a week away, so he needed to move fast. He applied for the position, was interviewed, won the job, and became Lone Star College-CyFair’s newest “Poli Sci” instructor, all in less than 10 days. “My entry into higher ed started off fast, but I found I love the field, and I’ve never left,” said Galvan.
That first role, as adjunct government faculty member, was in 2009. From there, Galvan moved up to full-time faculty member and on to Student Activities Program Administrator, Academic Advisor, Workforce Advisor and TRIO SSS Program Manager before assuming his current position as Dean of Student Services.
In addition to working full-time, Galvan is steadily working on his doctorate. In the next two years he expects to complete the process and earn his doctorate in Educational Administration and Human Resource Development with an emphasis in Adult Education. In the meantime, his job gives him great satisfaction.
“I love the size of Lone Star College-North Harris and the variety that comes with that,” said Galvan. “The number of resources available to our students, variety of training and professional development available, and overall variety of day-to-day functions is amazing. I can spend my day working with students for leadership development, or meet with community members, or present at various conferences, or many other things. Lone Star College-North Harris’ size means great variety and options.”
The variety of opportunities at Lone Star College-North Harris is a key to success Galvan likes to share with students. “Get involved in things. As many as you can, and as often as you can,” Galvan said. “I understand that grades come first and that academic success is very important, but likewise, I have found that my involvement in Student Government, Study Abroad, Student Life and other extracurricular activities have not only opened doors for me, they have expanded my worldview and knowledge in a way that a textbook and classroom alone cannot do.”
Galvan said, “Make friends, make connections, challenge yourself socially, engage and grow as a student and as an individual.”
His own history of involvement and building connections ultimately led Galvan to his current role, and this is the experience he brings every day to the students of Lone Star College-North Harris.
Lone Star College offers high quality, low-cost academic transfer and career training education to 99,000 students each semester. LSC is training tomorrow’s workforce today and redefining the community college experience to support student success. Stephen C. Head, Ph.D., serves as chancellor of LSC, the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area with an annual economic impact of nearly $3 billion. LSC consists of seven colleges, eight centers, two university centers, Lone Star Corporate College and LSC-Online. To learn more, visit LoneStar.edu.
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