HOUSTON (Sept. 22, 2016) – Lone Star College was recognized by Community College Week magazine as a Top 5 producer of associate degrees, ranking fourth among all community colleges in the U.S.

“Lone Star College has worked very hard to ensure students are able to reach the finish line,” said Dr. Stephen C. Head, LSC chancellor. “I am very proud of the Lone Star College faculty and staff members who have made it their mission to help our students find success.”

Community College Week reported LSC awarded 5,569 associate degrees to students in all disciplines based on the 2014-2015 school year representing a 26 percent increase from the previous school year.

The number of LSC Hispanic students receiving their associate degree grew by 29 percent year to year, ranking fourth among the 1,100 community colleges nationwide in the 2016 list. The 1,717 LSC Hispanic graduates represented 31 percent of the total LSC graduates who earned their associate degree in 2014-2015.

Other notable rankings for LSC in the Community College Week 2016 nationwide list include:

· Second in Education Associate Degrees

· Third in Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Degrees

· Third in Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Associate Degrees

· Fifth in Health Professions and Related Programs

· Sixth in all degrees among minorities

“Some may be surprised to learn that Lone Star College, and community colleges like it, train two-thirds of all health care workers,” said Head. “Lone Star College is proud to prepare the nurses who keep our community healthy.”

The Top 100 Associate Degree Producers list is compiled by the magazine from an analysis of U.S. Department of Education data. The 2016 list published this week contains data from the 2014-15 academic year, the latest complete data available.

Community College Week, one of several national publications covering the education industry, publishes the rankings each fall.

Known for its leadership, innovation and steadfast commitment to student success, Lone Star College provides high-quality academic transfer and workforce education / career training programs to more than 85,000 credit students each semester, and a total enrollment of nearly 98,000 students. LSC is training tomorrow’s workforce today and redefining the community college experience to promote student success and economic prosperity. Stephen C. Head, Ph.D., is the chancellor of LSC, the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area, which consists of six colleges, eight centers, two university centers, Lone Star Corporate College and LSC-Online. To learn more visit LoneStar.edu.