HOUSTON (Aug. 25, 2026) – Between a recent tour of Hon Hai Technology Group (“Foxconn”) and celebrating the opening of Apple’s new Advanced Manufacturing Center (AMC), Lone Star College System leaders are paving the way for students and graduates to have career opportunities in the growing technology industry.

“Lone Star College System is committed to establishing strong community and business partnerships with employers like Apple and Foxconn that create meaningful career pathways for our students while helping meet the workforce needs of our growing region,” said Mario K. Castillo, J.D., LSCS chancellor.

During an Aug. 10 tour of Foxconn’s facility near LSC-Houston North Fallbrook, LSCS administrators learned more about the company’s data center infrastructure operations and its growing need for local talent. Foxconn is the world’s leading consumer electronics manufacturer and solutions provider and has called Houston home for nearly 30 years. Headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan, Foxconn employs thousands of people in the Houston area, where the company primarily manufactures data servers.

Through its partnership with LSCS, Foxconn is recruiting students for internships and full-time positions as its Houston-area operations expand.

Foxconn has five campuses and 11 facilities in the Houston area and is preparing to meet growing demand for AI and data center hardware. Through its partnership with LSCS, the company is seeking engineering and related-field students for internships and full-time positions in digitalization and improvement, data visualization and analysis, software engineering, supply chain, and human resources.

LSCS officials also attended the grand opening of Apple’s new AMC on Aug. 14, where Apple CEO Tim Cook, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and local elected officials celebrated innovation and investment in the local workforce.

This 20,000-square-foot facility will host free sessions for small and medium-sized businesses, such as Manufacturing Principles for Final Assembly, Printed Circuit Board Assembly Design for Manufacturing and Smart Quality with Automated Optical Inspection. This education will empower entrepreneurs, workers, and students to accelerate smart manufacturing by providing hands-on experience with cutting-edge equipment in interactive labs.

“We want to build more than great products,” Cook said. “We want to build a future of American manufacturing, which means, among many things, that we need to equip the next generation of American workers with the skills that building the world’s most advanced technologies demands.”

The training site is the second of its kind in the United States and is located in the same manufacturing facility that builds and ships Apple’s advanced AI servers and will begin manufacturing the Mac mini later this year.

"The new training site brings an incredible opportunity for our students to learn the same innovative processes Apple uses to make its products," said Iesheia Wilson, LSCS Board of Trustees secretary. "Companies like Apple and Foxconn are leading the way in strengthening the technology sector, and Lone Star College System is excited to have our students play a part in that right here at home."

Foxconn will welcome an LSCS student internship cohort in September, giving 10 students hands-on experience with automation equipment, AI servers, data hardware and other technologies. The experience will allow students to apply classroom knowledge in a real-world environment while developing skills for careers in the growing data center and technology industries.

“Foxconn strives to hire local employees in response to market demand, seeking individuals with classroom knowledge who are ready to learn and grow in a fast-paced industry,” said Robert Schlaeger, Head of U.S. Region Public and Government Affairs, Hon Hai USA. “We look forward to our continued partnership with the college as we work together to develop academic and workforce programs that will build stronger employees, strengthen our local workforce and contribute to a stronger Houston community.”

LSCS launched its Industry Partnerships and Career Advancement department in fall 2025. Its first major event was a job fair with Foxconn that brought more than 100 students together with Foxconn recruiters to explore employment, internships and potential workforce training opportunities.

“Lone Star College System is proud to work with Foxconn, which continues to post new internship opportunities through Handshake,” said Chantell Link, Ph.D., LSCS chief, Industry Partnerships and Career Advancement. “We look forward to continuing this engagement and expanding career pathways for our students.”

Currently, nearly 50 students have applied for Foxconn internship opportunities through Handshake, a career platform that connects students with employers. Learn more about Lone Star College System’s Industry Partnerships and Career Advancement and how employers can connect with students and graduates at LoneStar.edu/Industry-Partnerships.

HOUSTON (Aug. 14, 2026) – Students in Lone Star College System’s Bachelor of Applied Science in Emergency Management program are learning about disaster response in a new way thanks to a partnership with Simental Industries and EM Disaster Gaming.

Arthur J. Simental, DM, CEM, said he founded Simental Industries to help homeland security and emergency management professionals prepare for disasters through wargaming—a popular tactic used by the military and defense sectors for centuries.

“I’ve also created EM Disaster Gaming so that first responders, emergency managers, policymakers and disaster workers can use this as an opportunity for more immersive and engaging training and education,” Simental said. “I hope to challenge them to think critically, strategize, communicate, cooperate and better plan for disasters through more robust tabletop exercises, modeling and simulation.”

The game’s format is similar to Dungeons & Dragons, a popular cooperative tabletop role-playing game. In EM Disaster Gaming, students respond to disasters and whims of fate as determined by dice rolls, chance cards and other probability mechanics. EM Disaster Gaming makes a variety of physical games and has a virtual platform that covers a series of disasters, from hurricanes and transportation incidents to pandemics and terrorist attacks.

“At Lone Star College System, we are always looking for ways to innovate and ensure our curriculum is up to date,” said Laura Gehrig, Ph.D., LSCS department chair, BAS Emergency Management. “Disaster wargaming allows students to engage in their classwork in a more meaningful way, responding to simulated disasters on the spot.”

LSCS students in the BAS Emergency Management program take courses such as Hazard Mitigation and Preparedness, Infrastructure Systems and Disaster, Emergency Management Planning, Disaster Response and Recovery, and Risk and Crisis Communications.

These classes prepare graduates like Brett Shryock to confidently enter or advance in the workforce. Shryock was one of the first students to enroll in the BAS program after obtaining an associate degree in fire science from LSC-CyFair. Since graduating, he has been promoted from a logistics specialist to a logistics supervisor at the Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management.

“I wouldn’t change it for the world,” Shryock said. “I had matured a lot as the years went on, so I looked at the classes differently than I would have at age 18 or 19. Bringing that experience to the classes really helped. I got to give a lot of feedback and share my experience with classmates, and I learned a lot from the professors.”

Many students in the program are already actively working as first responders. Some are pursuing a bachelor’s degree to access additional stipends at work, while others hope to advance their careers or have an alternate pathway lined up once they’re ready to move on from the more physically demanding frontline roles.

Emergency managers must have excellent organizational and project management skills as they make crucial logistical decisions amid disasters. Gehrig said this degree program allows students to create stability for their families and have job security in a high-demand field.

Learn more at LoneStar.edu/Programs-Of-Study/Emergency-Management.

HOUSTON (Aug. 11, 2026) – Lone Star College System officials recently dedicated the Wadhwani Conference Room at LSC-CyFair’s Health Science Center, recognizing a local family who has supported the college system for over 20 years.

“Generosity from donors like the Wadhwani family makes all the difference for our students,” said Nicole Robinson Gauthier, CFRE, LSCS associate vice chancellor, Foundation Advancement. “One act of kindness can benefit an entire community when it allows someone to earn an education without having to worry about financial barriers.”

For decades, Ashok and Ishu Wadhwani have helped grow the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) program at LSC-CyFair by serving on advisory committees, hiring LSCS students and graduates at their company, and establishing an endowment through LSC Foundation to provide scholarships.

The Wadhwani family’s latest gift supports the advancement of nursing education at LSC-CyFair, including the purchase of instructional equipment to enhance the Human Anatomy Visualization Lab on campus.

Before Ishu passed away in September 2025, she received exceptional care from Celia LaPlante, a nurse at Memorial Hermann Health System and an LSCS graduate. LaPlante’s compassion and professionalism left a lasting impression on the Wadhwani family, inspiring them to take their generosity to the next level by investing in the education of future nurses trained at LSCS.

“Nurses are often working with patients and families going through extremely difficult circumstances,” Ashok said. “Our hope is that future generations of nurses in our community will provide the same level of care that we received to others.”

Ishu was born in Calcutta, India, but lived in the Houston region since 1980. She and her husband owned Applied Field Data Systems, specializing in geospatial integration and data management services.

The GIS program at LSCS prepares graduates for careers as technicians, data analysts and project managers, among other pathways in the field. The nursing program has various pathways, from a Nurse Aide (CNA) certificate to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

HOUSTON (Aug. 6, 2026) – The Lone Star College System Board of Trustees approved a balanced budget of $577.5 million for fiscal year 2027 at the Aug. 6 board meeting.

“We’re very thankful that this budget is built on strong financial foundations,” said Kristy Vienne, Ed.D., LSCS vice chancellor, Finance and Administration. “This balanced budget maintains our operational needs while positioning the system to invest in initiatives that will advance student success, workforce development, employee excellence and long-term institutional resilience.”

LSCS anticipates the projected revenue will fully support planned operational expenditures with no funding coming from cash reserves. Anticipated revenue includes $118 million in state allocations, $162 million in student revenues, $263 million from local taxes and $34.5 million from miscellaneous activities.

Compensation plans in the budget include:

• A 2% across-the-board increase for full-time instructional and non-instructional employees hired by March 31.
• A 2% across-the-board increase for part-time hourly, non-instructional employees, excluding student assistants and college work-study participants.
• A 2% per contact hour adjunct across-the-board increase.

Earlier this year, the board adopted an in-district tuition rate of $111 per credit hour for 2026-2027, reflecting no increase since 2024-2025.

“It’s cheaper to get my core classes out of the way here than it would be to immediately go to a university, which is very expensive,” said David Muñoz, an LSC-North Harris student who plans to pursue a career in aerospace engineering and own his own business one day. “The education here is also the same high-quality education you would get there. It’s a no-brainer for me.”

Budgeted tax revenues for FY 2027 are estimated based on a tax rate of $0.1058 per $100 taxable value and an 8% homestead exemption. While certified property values have not been received, the board is expected to vote on a property tax rate in early October.

“We always want to make sure that we’re operating under the best business principles,” Vienne said. “We really have taken conservative estimates on both revenue and expenses. We would rather overperform and have extra left over at the end. In addition to financial sustainability, we want to express responsible stewardship and strategic investment with every dollar that you see presented in the budget.”

HOUSTON (Aug. 5, 2026) – Rebecca Saiz, Ed.D., Lone Star College System executive director, Educator Preparation Program, has been named an Impact Academy fellow through national nonprofit organization Deans for Impact (DFI). Saiz joins a cohort of leaders chosen for their commitment to strengthening educator preparation and ensuring future teachers are prepared to meet the needs of all students.

“Being part of Deans for Impact means joining a community of leaders who are all working toward the same goal: preparing outstanding teachers,” Saiz said. “I hope to bring back practical strategies, new partnerships, and fresh perspectives that will strengthen our program and ultimately benefit the students and communities we serve.”

Saiz is one of 24 leaders in the fellowship's 11th cohort. This year's fellows represent public and private universities, community colleges, national programs, school districts and innovative teacher preparation pathways.

Saiz leads the Educator Preparation Program at LSCS, which offers pathways to teacher certification through a Bachelor of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education and Teaching, or through the Alternative Teacher Certification Program for those who already hold a bachelor’s degree.

Through the Impact Academy fellowship, DFI supports leaders prioritizing evidence-based instruction, navigating their teams through continuous change, deepening partnerships with schools and communities, and building accessible, high-quality pathways into teaching.

“Educator-preparation leaders are being asked to make important decisions in a moment of rapid change,” said Valerie Sakimura, CEO of DFI. “This cohort of leaders stands out for their willingness to engage in complexity with deep care for students, their learning and their futures. We’re excited to support these leaders as they meet the moment and help ensure every student is taught by well-prepared teachers.”

Fellows will participate in in-person and virtual monthly cohort-based learning, receive one-on-one coaching from veteran leaders and engage in peer consultancy focused on the field's most pressing challenges. Over the course of the year, they will workshop solutions to adaptive challenges: complex problems leaders face when change depends not only on technical or structural fixes, but on shifting mindsets, relationships and ways of working.

To learn more about this year’s Impact Academy cohort, visit DeansForImpact.org/Impact-Academy-Cohort11.