Kristen Tow Walker, Assistant Vice President of Statewide Partnerships for Lamar State College Orange (LSCO) and a member of the Livingston Lions Club, introduced her colleague, Dr. Wendy Elmore, the LCSO president who has over 20 years in higher education, to the local service club recently, having last spoken to the club in October 2024.
“A lot of good things have been happening since October 2024 when I last spoke to you. We’re making great strides. We’re one of three institutions that are part of Texas State University System, the oldest higher education school system in Texas. The other two are Lamar State College Port Arthur and Lamar Institute of Technology. We focus on workforce and degrees and we work really well together,” Elmore said.
“We bring a partnership with Sam Houston State University for students at the Polk County Center through the teacher preparation program. It’s hard to find good, qualified teachers, especially in rural areas. This program is geared toward paraprofessionals and aids who work closely with the teachers. It is tuition-exempted. They take classes the first two years with us and then finish with Sam Houston. That’s big that SHSU is willing to put a stake in this community,” Elmore said.
“Another partnership we have is with Texas State University in San Marcos. They have business and technical programs and it’s an exciting opportunity for students in Polk County to get a four-year degree without leaving here.
“Our vocational nursing program started in August and we’re also offering an RN program. In addition to what we offer in Polk County, we have launched a partnership with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Polunsky Unit to offer two-year degrees for incarcerated inmates. This will start in January. Education can help reduce recidivism,” Elmore said.
“We have a strong relationship with many ISDs in the Polk County area through our dual credit program – Livingston, Big Sandy, Leggett, Coldspring – where students may earn college credit while in high school. Many will walk the stage at high school graduation a week after receiving a certificate or associates degree,” she said.
“LSCO has a partnership with TLL Temple Foundation to write a grant for $832,000 for vocational nursing. Students will be able to graduate high school in May, attend courses in the summer and then take the vocational nursing exam in August. We’re very excited about that. The grant also supports the teacher preparation program and agriculture and welding,” she said.
“We always need faculty. We pride ourselves in having quality programs with caring teachers, breaking down barriers and providing a service to these students so they know that they’re capable,” Elmore said.
“LSCO has over 5,800 students today. Last year when I spoke, we were at 3,600. We are very intentional about monitoring their progress along the way. Many are first generation students. We have strategies in place that faculty employ when a student’s missed multiple classes. They are referred to our success center. It’s those unfortunate occurrences that may make the difference in them completing the program or not,” Elmore said.
