The Coyote Insider
2025 SCHOLARSHIP RECEPTION
Donors and students were honored at the 13 annual Scholarship Reception on March 21 on the LSCKingwood campus. During the program, campus president Dr. Melissa Gonzalez thanked the donors who have helped change the lives of so many students Nicole Robinson-Gauthier, LSC Foundation Executive Director, shared that the Foundation has provided $26.2 million in scholarships to more than 27,000 students, and nearly $13 million in program support, since its inception in 1991 One of those recipients, Chancellor’s Essay Contest Winner Angela Cabrera, expressed her thanks in a video testimonial. Another scholarship recipient, Azalea Olvera, gave her inspiring story of overcoming obstacles to get her GED and associate’s degree. Some recipients also had the opportunity to meet their donors and express their gratitude You can see more pictures from the reception here th st
Message from Dr Melissa Gonzalez President LSC-Kingwood
Hello, Coyotes!
I am filled with gratitude for the many meaningful moments we shared this month
We had the privilege of honoring the donors whose generous scholarships have changed lives at our college. We dedicated time to celebrate Women’s History Month and the many contributions of women who continue to inspire us today.
Let’s continue to build on this momentum as we move forward together!
-- Go Coyotes!
TREE DEDICATION PAYS TRIBUTE TO JAPANESE TSUNAMI VICTIMS
On March 4th, a ceremony and tree dedication were held at Lone Star College-Kingwood to honor the victims of the Japanese Tsunamis of 2011 and 2024. The 2011 Tohoku earthquake, also known as the Great East Japan earthquake, was a 9.1 magnitude earthquake that struck Japan on March 11, 2011. It was the largest earthquake ever recorded in Japan. Over 200,000 lives were lost, mostly by the 33-foot-high tsunami. Many are still missing today. Another destructive and deadly earthquake struck the northeast part of Japan on January 1, 2024 During the ceremony, campus president Dr Melissa Gonzalez and art professor Mari Omori, who is from Japan, spoke about the importance of honoring those who were impacted by the tsunamis. Music Professor Michael Johnson played a trombone rendition of “A Song for Japan” with accompaniment on the piano by Dr. Rob Hunt. The song was composed by Steven Verhelst and became somewhat of a symbol of hope and support for Japan after the earthquake. At the end of the event, Professor Omori distributed handmade origami birds. Following the ceremony, attendees made their way outside to view the Black Tulip Magnolia and memorial plaque, which is located outside the Music Building by the pond Professor Omori says the Magnolia tree symbolizes growth after loss, nobility, and spirituality. You can find more pictures from the ceremony here. You find the video of the ceremony here.
campus NEWS
LSC-KINGWOOD CELEBRATES WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH
Women’s History Month at LSC-Kingwood featured a variety of events, including one that highlighted Women of the Blues. The March 20 presentation was led by History Professor Steve Davis and showcased music students serenading the crowd with the sounds of the blues. At another event on March 25 , attendees learned about the history of women in math and how they are improving our world each day thanks to a presentation from Math Professor Amy Hoherz. th
Women’s History Month wouldn’t be complete without paying tribute to Florence Nightingale, known as America’s first nurse. Director of LSC-Kingwood Nur d N k L f l d d Nightingale and the importance of her legacy at LSC Kingwood campus on March 26 . You can watch a th
campus NEWS
LSC-KINGWOOD CELEBRATES WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH
LSC-Kingwood student members of LULAC (League of United Latin American Citizens) and the Latina Inspira Student Network hosted a women ’ s roundtable on March 26 to celebrate Women’s History Month A panel of community leaders, educators, and students shared inspiring stories of strength, resilience, and empowerment. LSC-Kingwood President Dr. Melissa Gonzalez was the keynote speaker. Other panelists included Dr. Paula Carrasco, Texas Department of State Health Services; Alejandra Tapia, Educator & Founder of Chikawa Aztec Cultural Ed.; Maria Baños Jordan, President of Texas Familias Council; Daniela Barrera, Treasurer of Latina Inspira Student Network; and Juliana Jordan, Co-President of Latina Inspira Student Network More pictures from the event can be found here th
EAST ALDINE CENTER: WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH
Women’s History Month at East Aldine Center on March 19 featured inspiring guest speakers and plenty of time for guests to enjoy arts & crafts, games, and food. Speakers included East Aldine Center Dean Reyna Tippetts and Nancy Molina, LSC Vice Chancellor Legal Affairs and General Counsel, who shared a presentation on the role of women in the justice system Dr Suann Hereford displayed her collection of Barbies and spoke about "Barbie Through the Years,” which explores the evolution of Barbie as a cultural icon and its reflection on women ’ s roles and aspirations through the decades. There were also local women-owned businesses and representatives from area community resource agencies who participated. You can see more pictures from the event here.
ATASCOCITA CENTER: ST. PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATIONS
St. Patrick’s Day was fun and festive at Atascocita Center. On March 17 , the staff set up a St. Patty’s Day display and shared green snacks with students to celebrate the holiday th
DR. GONZALEZ HOSTS PIZZA WITH THE PRESIDENT AT ATASCOCITA CENTER & KINGWOOD CAMPUS
LSC-Kingwood President Dr. Melissa Gonzalez stopped by the Atascocita Center for Pizza with the President on March 18 . Students had the chance to visit with Dr. Gonzalez and win some prizes. Students at LSC-Kingwood also had the opportunity to chat with her during a Pizza with the President event on the main campus on March 20 . th th
PROCESS TECHNOLOGY CENTER RODEO
It looked like the Wild West at the Process Technology Center on March 19 when the center held a westernthemed Rodeo celebration. Students and staff donned boots, cowboy hats, and saddled up for an exciting day of fun, food, and camaraderie. Prizes were also given for best dressed cowboys and cowgirls.
PROCESS TECHNOLOGY CENTER CELEBRATES ST. PATRICK’S DAY
Staff at the Process Technology Center hosted a fun and festive St Patrick’s Day celebration on Monday, March 17 . They encouraged students to wear green and served green cupcakes and punch.
A DAY IN THE CAVE
Coyotes made the most of their time at “A Day in the Cave ” on March 18 Students explored various resources that were available and even got a little pampering in from local barbers. Thanks to the Men’s and Women’s Centers for hosting! More pictures can be found here.
campus NEWS
HEALTH AND WELLNESS FAIR
The Health and Wellness Fair on March 6 was a big success. Faculty, staff, and students learned about healthy habits, participated in relaxing and interactive games & activities, and spent time basking in the beautiful weather outside You can find more pictures from the Health & Wellness Fair here th
ATASCOCITA CENTER PAINTING CERAMICS EVENT
Coyotes got creative during this spring art activity! On March 27 , they painted ceramics in partnership with Communities In Schools and enjoyed hanging out with friends th
CURIOUS MINDS: “SWITCH ON” DOCUMENTARY
More than 75 students attended the movie “Switch On,” a film by Dr Scott W Tinker, on March 19 as part of the Curious Minds lecture series. The documentary informs the audience the benefits and challenges of bringing energy to the developing world. Many of the students who attended were from local high schools. The film was followed with a Q&A with Dr. Tinker, who is a geologist, professor, energy expert, and documentary filmmaker. th
2025 STUDENT ART SHOW
The 2025 Student Art Show is underway at LSC-Kingwood in the art gallery in APA 114 It will be on display through April 15th, 2025. A reception was held on March 27 where winners were selected by Judge Michael R. Collins, Professor of Art at Houston Christian University. Be sure and stop by to see the work from our talented students. More pictures from the art show can be found here.
2025 STUDENT ART SHOW: 2D AWARDS
Best in Show: “Companions of Fear” by Brianna Espinosa
1st Place: “Mexican-American” by Victoria
3rd
Munguia
2nd Place: “In My Mind’s Eye” by Victoria Munguia
Place: “Girl with a Pearl Earring” by Rita Davis
2025 STUDENT ART SHOW 3D AWARDS
1st Place: “Round Form” by Ramon Lara
3rd Place: “Once in a Blue Moon” by Sarah Novak
2nd Place: “Vase” by Ramon Lara
campus NEWS
PHI THETA KAPPA WINS BIG AT REGIONAL CONFERENCE
We would like to congratulate Phi Theta Kappa on their incredible accomplishments at the 2025 Texas Regional Convention, which took place March 6 through 9 at the Houston Westin Galleria. The Honor Society received eleven awards at the event. During the convention, students also had the chance to attend sessions featuring nationally recognized speakers & leadership workshops and enjoy an awards ceremony and gala. th th
Some of the awards included:
College Project Award of Merit
Awarded to the top 20 scored College Project entries in the Texas Region based on the “Flying through Finals: Study Tips and Tricks” workshop held in Fall 2024
Five Star Chapter Award
Based on a chapter’s level of engagement with Phi Theta Kappa programming at the college, regional, and international levels Five stars is the highest level
Texas Region Award of Service to the Texas Region Advisory Board
Dr. Matthew Newton, awarded by the regional leadership team to chapter advisors for significant contributions to the region as a member of the Advisory Board.
JACK
KENT COOKE SEMIFINALISTS
Congratulations to two LSC-Kingwood students recognized as semifinalists for the Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. Gabriela Ortiz and Maria Hernandez will advance to compete for the scholarship and the chance to become a Cooke Scholar. The scholarship provides generous financial support— up to $55,000 per year for two to three years to attend a four-year undergraduate school. Gabriela says being selected as a semifinalist for the JKC Transfer Scholarship as a first-generation college student has been an honor “This opportunity signifies that my hard work over the years and the sacrifices my parents have done to allow me to pursue higher education have been recognized ” Maria is a Venezuelan immigrant who came to LSC-Kingwood looking for a fresh start. “Being a semifinalist means more than just an achievement; it’s a chance. A chance for me, for the people who will come after me, and for those who share a similar background. It is a voice whispering that it is possible. I have struggled with the fear of falling behind, but this reminds me that I am capable of chasing even my boldest dreams.” Finalists will be announced in early April
Gabriela Ortiz
Maria Hernandez
LSC-KINGWOOD STUDENT REPRESENTS LULAC AT NATIONAL CONFERENCE
Ian Mathews, the President of LULAC (League of United Latin American Citizens) Council #22549 here at LSC-Kingwood, had the incredible opportunity to attend the 2025 LULAC National Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., over spring break.
Ian, who is a member of the Honors program at LSC-Kingwood, shared that he was honored to engage with policymakers and advocate for policies impacting Latin Americans and marginalized communities "I am grateful for the chance to represent my community and collaborate with passionate leaders who share a vision for a more just and equitable society."
Ian met with congressional staffers at Capitol Hill to discuss crucial legislation, including the American Dream and Promise Act, and initiatives focused on improving education, healthcare, and immigration reform Participating in these conversations reinforced the importance of civic engagement and the power of collective voices in shaping the future. Ian thanks LULAC for this opportunity and everyone who continues to advocate for positive change.
The mission of the League of United Latin American Citizens is to advance the economic condition, educational attainment, political influence, housing, health, and civil rights of the Hispanic population of the United States and Puerto Rico.
LSC-KINGWOOD PROFESSORS AWARDED SABBATICALS
Congratulations are in order for faculty members Dr. Stephanie Andrews and Dr. Loris Zucca. Both were awarded Sabbaticals for the Spring 2026 semester.
Dr Stephanie Andrews’ proposal states her purpose is “To create meaningful activities for asynchronous online students to collaborate and build community, foster belonging, and experience deeper learning parallel to inperson students.” Dr. Andrews hopes to address the disparity in community and belonging with online classes versus in-person classes. She plans to create five activities for several math classes that replicate the in-person collaborative environment as much as possible, ensuring equity between online and in-person classes.
Dr Loris Zucca says his proposal is to create a YouTube channel comprised of videos explaining how to use the newly released Desmos 3D in the Calculus sequence. Desmos is the most popular graphing website in the U.S. and is used to help visualize two-dimensional concepts and problems in STEM courses.
Dr. Zucca also intends to create an online companion manual for Lone Star College students to augment their homework and for professors to improve their class lectures. After the sabbatical, he plans to work with Professional Development to offer a faculty workshop on how to implement Desmos 3D in the classroom and homework assignments to increase student success Dr Zucca says Calculus was very challenging for him as a student and he wants to ensure his students have as many resources as possible to ensure success.
We look forward to seeing everything both Dr. Zucca and Dr. Andrews accomplish during their much-deserved Sabbaticals.
Dr Stephanie Andrews
Dr Loris Zucca
CURIOUS MINDS: THE MAGIC OF PAPER ENGINEERING
LSC-Kingwood adjunct professor Bruce Foster shared his unique talent of creating Pop-Up books with the campus. Foster teaches Digital Imaging, Design Communication, and Digital Publishing. He demonstrated the craft, which he calls “ paper engineering,” during a Curious Minds lecture on March 25 . Foster has created more than 65 pop-up books & hundreds of cards and has been featured in movies, advertising, and theatrical formats. Some of the pop-up books Foster has created include “Harry Potter,” “Buzz Aldrin: To the Moon and Back,” “America’s National Parks,” “The Sound of Music,” “Peanuts: A Pop-Up Celebration," "The Pop-Up th Book of Celebrity Meltdowns," and “Sports Illustrated Kids: Wow! The Pop-Up Book of Sports.” Foster says it’s important to exercise your creativity. “Keep that spark alive. Learn the tools that teach you how to stretch your talents. It takes a really long time to become good at things that are worthwhile. Keep at it. And keep a good sense of humor That is a key to a good life ” You can read the full interview with Foster here
COMMUNITY & cULTURE
AMERICAN DREAM & PROMISE ACT TOWN HALL
LSC-East Aldine Center welcomed Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia to the campus on March 18 for a discussion on the American Dream and Promise Act. Lone Star College Chancellor Mario K. Castillo joined her and several other panelists. Much thanks to the Congresswoman, Chancellor, and other guests for sharing their time with us.
KINGWOOD WOMEN’S CLUB AWARDS THOUSANDS IN SCHOLARSHIPS TO LSC-KINGWOOD
The Kingwood Women’s Club donated $20,500 to LSC-Kingwood at the Joy of Giving event held on March 20 . The students will be able to use the money to attend in the Fall semester. The Kingwood Women’s Club is a nonprofit organization that works in partnership with community projects. During the event, former recipients (seen below) shared how the scholarships changed their lives th Nursing student Heather Williams, who previously received one of the scholarships, said “As a nursing student who is balancing school and raising a family, receiving the Kingwood Women’s Scholarship is both an honor and a blessing. It empowers me to keep working toward my dream of becoming a nurse. ”
COMMUNITY & cULTURE
COLLEGE CONNECTIONS
More than 80 high school students attended the College Connections event at LSC-Kingwood on March 27 Forty scholarships were awarded to students at New Caney, Splendora, Porter, Caney Creek, and West Fork High Schools. Thanks to the Rotary Club of East Montgomery County for all of their support with this event. To see more pictures, click here.
LONESTAR EDU/KINGWOOD | @LSC KINGWOOD | 281-312-1600
COYOTE CLUB SPORTS
The LSC-Kingwood club sports season is winding down. While the Men’s Soccer team has wrapped up, the women ’ s team is headed to the Championship on April 13 . Men’s Basketball battled it out in the playoffs April 3 against LSC-Houston North but did not advance further. Coyote Baseball is preparing for its last few games and the tennis team will compete in the Conference Tournament on Saturday, April 12 . To see all the Club Sports schedules, click here th
MEN’S BASKETBALL
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BASEBALL
