HOUSTON - When Debanhi Villarreal Lopez, a student at Lone Star College-University Park, heard that loaner laptops were available for enrolled students, she knew her chances for successfully completing her semester had just increased.
“This opportunity was probably the reason why I was able to stay enrolled in college,” Villarreal Lopez said. “I wasn’t able to achieve my best with the laptop I had, and my family wasn’t in the best economic state. I couldn’t afford a new one.”
Villarreal Lopez, and almost 600 other students from LSC-University Park, received a laptop last fall as part of the Lone Star College system-wide initiative to keep education accessible during the pandemic. Lone Star College has loaned more than 4,000 laptops system-wide since August 2020. The aid of a ready-to-use device saves students money, allows access to class textbooks and educational software, and, for Villarreal Lopez, is why she was able to stay in class.
"This was a blessing, and a very important key in my success this semester,” said Villarreal Lopez, who is majoring in international business. “I am beyond grateful that it was free, and that the college made it easy to get.”
The laptop loaner program helps close technology gaps that could inhibit student success. Each device is ready to use and allows access to the software needed for classes, such as Microsoft 365 and Adobe Creative Cloud.
“Our chancellor, Dr. Stephen C. Head, quickly acknowledged the new challenges students faced to complete their classes in a very difficult time and put together an innovative and practical way to support students toward their goals,” said LSC-University Park President Dr. Shah Ardalan.
News of the available laptops spread via social media, students’ email accounts and word-of-mouth.
“I first heard about it from my mom,” said LSC-University Park student Alejandro Cuaresma. “I told her I was going to buy a $1,000 laptop for school, and she said, ‘Put that cash away for future classes!’”
Cuaresma used the laptop (in lieu of his phone) to access the online textbook, as well as for the distance learning program. He plans to continue using the laptop for future classes at Lone Star College.
“Instead of having to buy a laptop, people can use that money for their family, for food or for whatever else they might need right now,” said Cuaresma. “This program saved me a lot of money, and that is pretty cool.”
After Cuaresma earns his associate degree, he is considering joining the Navy, fulfilling a lifelong dream. He ultimately plans to become a history teacher with a specialization in World War II, after the passion he gained from his grandfather, a World War II veteran.
“The students inspire us with their big goals and heartfelt aspirations,” said Ardalan. “It truly is our honor as a college family to create opportunities and provide an affordable and equitable pathway to help them achieve success.”
The college’s office of technology services was instrumental in coordinating the logistics of the laptop distribution.
“You could hear the joy in their voices when we called to tell students to come pick up their laptops,” recalls Jeremy Simons, director of campus technology services at LSC-University Park. “We heard their stories, too, about ‘how I’ve lost my job’ or ‘I wasn’t sure what I was going to do.’”
Simons and his team are also responsible for tech support for students and their new devices. The campus’ service desk team is equipped to troubleshoot problems, such as software installation or powering issues, over the phone to limit trips to campus.
“These laptops allow students to continue their studies, continue going to school, and not miss a blip,” said Simons. “This is core to our mission as the community’s college.”
A limited number of laptops are still available for those enrolled in classes at any Lone Star College location this spring or planning to take Next Start classes, which are the college’s courses that begin in February and March.
Visit LoneStar.edu/Laptops for more information.