New and familiar faces are at the helm of Laredo Community College South as preparations continue toward the August 30th launch of the first full semester on the new campus.
FRANCISCO
MARTINEZ
Francisco Martinez, Jr., a long-time member of the LCC family, is the Dean of LCC South.
An experienced educator and college administrator, Martinez has been at the forefront of development for the $50 million campus. In 2001 when construction began on LCC South, he was chosen to lead the effort as Dean of Second Campus Planning.
In April of this year, Martinez was selected from a pool of applicants to guide the young campus into full operation.
Located at 5500 South Zapata Highway, LCC South will offer an extensive list of college credit courses, says Martinez. This includes core courses for transfer curriculum, interactive and distance learning, workforce education and promotion of early/dual enrollments. Continuing education/workforce development, police academy training and adult basic education courses have already begun on the new campus.
“The faculty and staff of LCC South have been eagerly anticipating the opportunity to deliver a quality education to this area of town which was previously underserved by higher education,” says Martinez. “We are motivated by the fact that our efforts help students of all ages compete in their chosen field, better themselves and improve the quality of their lives and families.”
The Laredo native holds undergraduate degrees from LJC and Texas A&I University. He obtained a Master’s Degree and completed advanced graduate work at the University of Cincinnati.
His teaching experience began at Orange Grove High School before leaving the country for military service in Korea and worked as a Spanish instructor for universities in Seoul.
Upon his return to Laredo, Martinez began teaching at J.W. Nixon High School before continuing his teaching career at LCC in 1977. Since then, he has served LCC as an instructional department chairperson, associate dean and dean of various college divisions.
RAQUEL
LOPEZ
Instructional and personal counseling is a vital service provided by licensed counselors at LCC. Students attending the college’s second campus will have an opportunity to receive friendly and helpful advice from new academic counselor Raquel Lopez.
Lopez comes to LCC South with 15 years of experience as a licensed social worker and two years of experience as program coordinator for the TAMIU First Year Success Program.
Lopez says that she looks forward to exploring the needs of LCC South students. She is pleased to join a caring and qualified support team at the new campus’ counseling center, which will include Special Populations, Veterans Affairs and Student Recruitment.
“We’re ready for the challenge,” said Lopez. “It’s a primary reason why I took this position, which will allow me to work with many first-time college students and provide hands-on counseling for academic, career or personal issues.”
Lopez holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a minor in Psychology from Laredo State University. She received a Master of Arts in Sociology, with a minor in Criminal Justice, from TAMIU. Lopez is also a licensed by the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners.
Her professional experience includes positions as child protective services investigator for the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services, social services manager for Texas Migrant Council, and a homemaker services supervisor, foster home developer, and independent contract social worker. She also led a special retention program at TAMIU for first-time students, which delivered an array of services, such as academic advising and career counseling for student success.
GLORIA
CASTILLO
LCC South is composed of state-of-the-art facilities which will house several college anchor programs, including Child Development.
The Camilo Prada Child Development Center will serve as the hub of student learning for this instructional program. The center’s director will be faculty member Gloria A. Castillo, another new face at LCC.
As director, Castillo will oversee a Model Teaching Lab containing six classrooms for 2, 3 and 4 year-olds; a Multi-Purpose Room, office space and a kitchen. Outdoors are two playgrounds. The center will serve children of students, staff and community.
Castillo notes that the need to provide the city with quality child development services is overwhelming. Staff has begun to receive phone calls from students and community seeking services from the Child Development Center, which officially opens in August.
“There is a great need in the community,” said Castillo. “With the support of the department chair and faculty, the Prada Child Development Center plans to deliver a quality service at LCC South.”
A product of LCC instruction, Castillo earned her Associate Degree in Applied Science in Child Development from Laredo Junior College in 1987. She received her Child Development Associate Credential from the National Credential Program in 1988. Additionally, she is certified to be a first aid and CPR instructor and a notary public. Castillo has also acquired certificates and continuing education units (CEUs) for various aspects of child development. Currently, she is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in human sciences in the areas of human development and family studies from Texas A&M University at Kingsville.
Castillo brings to LCC 14 years experience as teacher and administrator for the Webb County Head Start program. Her experience includes that of teacher assistant, teacher, area service manager, nutrition assistant, health assistant, and education assistant/education coordinator.
LCC South will contain all the courses needed to acquire an Associate of Arts and most Associate in Science Degrees, plus specialized training programs in Automotive Technology, Computer Electronics Technology, Protective Services, the LCC Regional Police Academy, and Child Development.
Early registration for the Fall 2004 semester at LCC South begins July 8 via the college’s Online Enrollment System (OLÉ). The LCC OLÉ system is available on the World Wide Web (http://ole.laredo.edu) and by telephone (721-5100). Early advisement and registration begins on July 19 for students continuing their education at LCC South; advisement/registration dates for new students will follow. LCC will offer a special session of the College Connection, a free and exciting orientation program for new students on July 8. The inaugural Fall 2004 Semester at LCC South will begin on August 30 and continue through December 10.
For more information, contact the office of Marketing and Public Information at LCC by calling 721-5140. Summer office hours for most campus departments are Mondays through Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 12 noon and 1 to 7 p.m.
Office of Marketing and Public Information
West End Washington St.
Laredo, TX 78040-4395
956- 721-5140
Fax 956-721-5443