Trip to nation’s capital opens doors, brings learning to life for Lone Star College System students

HOUSTON, TX -- U.S. history and the federal government became more real for dozens of Lone Star College System students as they stepped away from the classroom to explore the nation’s capital and discover future career possibilities this February.

The inaugural LSC in D.C. Civic Engagement Learning Experience allowed students to swap lectures about the Founding Fathers for walks through their homes and memorial sites. Meanwhile, cybersecurity students learned about potential post-graduation career pathways available through federal agencies.

“Being in Washington, D.C., made everything feel real—the decisions, the responsibility and the historical weight behind the institutions that shape this country,” said Alexa Quinn, LSC-Kingwood student. “It reminded me that meaningful change requires presence, awareness and the courage to step into the spaces where those conversations are happening. Standing in the U.S. Supreme Court, where so many decisions have been made that directly affect my rights and the lives of people in my community, made the connection between policy and personal reality undeniable.”

Thanks to a grant and financial support from LSCS, 32 students were selected from 300 applicants to visit Washington, D.C. Most of the attendees were first-generation college students, and many had never traveled outside of Texas.

From reading the names on the documents that formed America’s government 250 years ago to speaking with Houston legislators currently serving the U.S. Congress, meaningful moments throughout the week expanded students’ perspectives.

“They got to see that these people were real, and they developed our government within these spaces in a very purposeful way,” said Cassandra Khatri, LSC-University Park political science professor. “When we talk to students about political participation and the role of government, it seems sort of distanced, but they made that connection to people who are part of the conversations that structure the world we know today.”

Highlights of the Civic Engagement trip included:

• Seeing the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights in person at the National Archives and Records Administration
• Touring the homes of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison
• Researching the stories of individuals from the LSCS service area at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
• Witnessing Buddhist monks conclude their 2,300-mile Walk for Peace
• Perusing Smithsonian museums, including the National Museum of Natural History, the National Museum of American History, and the National Museum of African American History and Culture
• Visiting the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Capitol and the Library of Congress

“Students got to see that there’s more opportunity out there than what they thought,” said Cory Colby, LSC-Tomball political science professor. “They’re talking about pursuing internships, furthering their education and future careers in D.C. After this experience, they can see themselves belonging there.”

At the same time, nine cybersecurity students from LSC-Westway Park Technology Center’s cybersecurity associate and bachelor’s degree programs engaged directly with federal agencies to explore cybersecurity at the national and global levels.

During their visit, students met with representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) to gain insight into the evolving cybersecurity landscape and the critical role technical professionals play in safeguarding national security. The experience also included tours of the White House, the U.S. Capitol and the Pentagon, providing students with a firsthand view of federal operations and the scope of cybersecurity activity at the highest levels of government.

U.S. Rep. Morgan Luttrell, who represents a portion of the LSCS service area, personally invited these students to Washington, D.C., following discussions about the college’s cybersecurity programs during his visit to LSC-CyFair last fall.

“Cybersecurity is one of the fastest-growing industries in the global economy, and Lone Star College System is leading the way in preparing highly skilled technical professionals to serve on the frontlines of cyber defense,” said Kimberly Hubbard, Ph.D., LSC-Westway Park Technology Center dean. “While compliance is an important component of cybersecurity, many institutions emphasize regulatory frameworks over deep technical training. Our programs are intentionally designed to address that gap. During our meetings with federal agencies, students heard firsthand about the urgent demand for individuals with advanced technical expertise who can help maintain our nation’s global competitive edge in the cyber domain.”

Lone Star College System offers more than 200 degree and certification programs, including four bachelor’s degrees. Learn more at LoneStar.edu/Programs-Of-Study.

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