{"id":55,"date":"2022-01-24T22:45:09","date_gmt":"2022-01-24T22:45:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sanjac.mycareerfocus.org\/spring-2022-volume-3-issue-1\/howard-overcomes-obstacles-to-achieve-american-dream\/"},"modified":"2022-02-09T01:35:13","modified_gmt":"2022-02-09T01:35:13","slug":"howard-overcomes-obstacles-to-achieve-american-dream","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sanjac.mycareerfocus.org\/spring-2022-volume-3-issue-1\/howard-overcomes-obstacles-to-achieve-american-dream\/","title":{"rendered":"Howard overcomes obstacles to achieve American Dream"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dr. Lonnie L. Howard, college president of Lamar Institute of Technology, is an example of the American Dream.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy version of the American Dream would never have become a reality without earning an associate degree from San Jac,\u201d Howard said.<\/span><\/p>\n

Born into abject poverty in a small shack without running water and placed in remedial classes, Howard defied the odds by becoming a first-generation high school and college graduate.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

By way of a delayed enlistment in the U.S. Army at 17, Howard left for the military 10 days after graduating high school. Despite being promoted to the rank of sergeant and honorably discharged, Howard couldn\u2019t find any jobs except as a janitor due to his limited education and civilian job skills.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI had a desire to serve my country, and college seemed out of reach for me,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n

All of that changed when Howard graduated in 1993 with an associate degree in welding technology from the San Jacinto College North Campus.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat year will remain one of my most memorable,\u201d he said. \u201cMy entire family were able to attend the commencement, which was held in the small North Campus gymnasium. I have never been so proud to hear my name called as I crossed the stage, and I saw my mother crying.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Today, Howard\u2019s degree from San Jac with its original cover is displayed in his office.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI tell everyone who visits my office the inspiring story of my educational journey and how my associate degree not only helped me increase my workforce skills, but it also gave me the academic confidence to earn other degrees,\u201d Howard said.<\/span><\/p>\n

For Howard, that confidence translates into two associate degrees, a bachelor\u2019s and master\u2019s degree from the University of Houston, and a dual doctorate in educational administration and sociology from the University of Texas at Austin. He has also completed postdoctoral training at Penn State University, Harvard University, and the University of Southern California.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot too bad for a welding student,\u201d he said, smiling.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

Professionally, he has had rapid career progression within higher education \u2014 from executive director for the UH School of Continuing and Professional Studies and president and CEO of Clover Park Technical College to current president and CEO of Lamar Institute of Technology. In addition to his role at LIT, Howard is a sought-after speaker, having given nearly 100 national, state, and local presentations.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWith hard work, persistence, and integrity, anyone can achieve some measure of the American dream,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cWhat that looks like depends on someone\u2019s capacity and their level of investment and engagement. Regardless of socio-economic condition, it\u2019s never too late.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Howard\u2019s ties with San Jac go beyond being an alumnus. He became a faculty member and eventually department chair for the welding technology program and continues to foster his relationship with the institution as a lifetime member of the alumni association and San Jacinto College Foundation donor.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI owe a huge debt of gratitude to those past faculty and staff members who took a personal interest in helping me earn my degree,\u201d he said. \u201cThis type of commitment to student success is even more emphasized today. I want to congratulate Chancellor Hellyer, the Board of Trustees, and the San Jac family on 60 wonderful years \u2026 and here\u2019s to 60 more.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

By Melissa Trevizo<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Dr. Lonnie L. Howard, college president of Lamar Institute of Technology, is an example of the American Dream. \u201cMy version of the American Dream would never have become a reality without earning an associate degree from San Jac,\u201d Howard said. Born into abject poverty in a small shack without running water and placed in remedial… read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":137,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,1],"tags":[],"article_type":[],"class_list":["post-55","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-success-story","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nHoward overcomes obstacles to achieve American Dream - Spring 2022, Volume 3 \u2013 Issue 1<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sanjac.mycareerfocus.org\/spring-2022-volume-3-issue-1\/howard-overcomes-obstacles-to-achieve-american-dream\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Howard overcomes obstacles to achieve American Dream\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Dr. Lonnie L. 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