2016 LSCPA Report to the Community 1 | Page 9

GABRIELA GHORAYEB Academic Excellence, National Recognition Gabriela Ghorayeb, a sophomore at Lamar State College Port Arthur, has been named to the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society All-Texas Academic Team. Ghorayeb, a General Studies major at LSCPA, is president of the college’s chapter and former vice president of the honor society group. A 2014 graduate of Port Neches-Groves High School, Ghorayeb is hoping to pursue Psychology after graduating with her associate’s degree at LSCPA. “I want to help people and psychology is an important field,” she said. “I’m excited to take the next steps in my education and see where life leads me.” Ghorayeb, the daughter of Samir and Melissa Ghorayeb, has been active in Phi Theta Kappa since coming to LSCPA. She has also been active in the campus’ “Gamers United” organization, serving as that group’s vice president this year. She graduated magna cum laude in the Spring 2016 commencement. “Gabby is a terrific student and a wonderful representative for this college,” said Dr. Barbara Huval, LSCPA’s coordinator for Phi Theta Kappa. “She works very hard and deserves the success she has had in the classroom and in life.” STUDENT SUCCESS LSCPA, PAISD partner to offer chance to earn college degree WHO DO EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOLS SERVE? Port Arthur Independent School District students are on the precipice of an exciting new opportunity that will not only provide them with a high school diploma, but also 60 hours of college credit, all at no charge to the students. PAISD and Lamar State College Port Arthur partnered to provide an Early College High School program that starts Fall 2016. Early college high schools are committed to serving students from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in higher education. RACE AND ETHNICITY OF EARLY COLLEGE STUDENTS Early College High Schools are innovative campuses which allow students to obtain a high school diploma while earning an associate’s degree (60 college credit hours) toward a bachelor’s degree. “This is an opportunity that has been in the works for quite some time and we are so excited to partner with Lamar State College Port Arthur to assist in providing students with a seamless transition from high school to college,” Port Arthur ISD Superintendent Dr. Mark Porterie said. “There has been an overwhelming response to this program from the public and we look forward to having our students set foot on their new campus in the fall. We want all of our students to be successful and the ECHS is another way to provide our students with the education they will need to be successful.” Students entering their freshman year this Fall have the opportunity to take part in the program, starting a process that will continue over the duration of their high school experience. Once they successfully complete the four-year process, students would be able to enter a four-year university as a junior with just two years remaining in a bachelor’s degree plan of study or enter the workforce. “A college degree is important to a student’s future and is as equally important to the success and prosperity of our community,” LSCPA President Dr. Betty Reynard said. “This is an opportunity to offer the young people of Port Arthur the chance to pursue a college education when in many instances, this opportunity might not exist otherwise.” The ECHS will be housed in the renovated Woodrow Wilson facility on Lakeshore Drive right in the midst of Lamar State College Port Arthur’s campus. Students will receive academic and social assistance through counseling and tutoring, helping to ensure a long-term success for each individual in the program. L FAMILY INCOME OF EARLY COLLEGE STUDENTS ECHS STUDENTS GRADUATE AND ATTEND COLLEGE AT HIGHER RATES 90 PERCENT of early college high school students graduate high school vs. the national rate of 78 percent. 30 PERCENT of graduates at early college high schools have earned an Associate’s or college certificate along with their high school diploma. 71 PERCENT of graduates enroll in college vs. the national rate of 68 percent. THE AVERAGE GRADUATE earns 38 college credits, saving 30 percent off a Bachelor’s degree, or 60 percent off an Associate’s degree. 2015-2016 REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY |PAGE PAGE219