CYPRESS — The quote “If your dreams don’t scare you, they are not big enough” is a favorite of Eddie Carrizales, an international student at Lone Star College-CyFair who is dreaming big and it’s paying off.
“I first plan to work for a company like Google or a dotcom or a small company for experience as a software developer, then open my own company,” said Carrizales, who has been interested in computers since he was 8 or 9. “I want to make a difference by creating software to help companies protect privacy.”
Helping finance his educational and career goals, Carrizales was recently named the only Global Leaders of Promise Scholar chosen in the LSC system and one of seven recipients nationwide. The Global Leaders of Promise Scholarship is part of the Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholarship Program, which helps new Phi Theta Kappa members defray educational expenses while enrolled in associate degree programs.
“The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation has a long history of providing financial assistance to outstanding students at community colleges,” said Jane Hale Hopkins, President of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. “We are proud to partner with Phi Theta Kappa, make it possible for more deserving students to achieve their educational goals, and support tomorrow’s leaders of the global community.”
A total of $207,000 is awarded through the Leaders of Promise Scholarship Program. Nearly 900 applications were received this year and Carrizales is one of 207 Phi Theta Kappa members awarded $1,000 scholarship.
“This scholarship really helps me as an international student. We have a lot of fees, insurance and out-of-district tuition,” said Carrizales, who also received an LSC-CyFair Frank Codispoti Endowment Scholarship. “That money will go 100% toward my tuition as I continue my journey to one day having my own company.”
Promise scholars are encouraged to assume leadership roles by participating in Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society programs and are selected based on scholastic achievement, community service, and leadership potential.
“I am extremely proud of Eddie and all that he has accomplished,” said LSC-CyFair President Dr. Seelpa Keshvala. “Not only has he excelled academically, but he has also actively pursued leadership opportunities where he is making a positive impact across campus.”
Carrizales began pursuing a computer science associate degree at LSC-CyFair in 2018 and now currently serves as the president of both the Beta Lamba Mu Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa and the Student Government Association.
“Here I am, an international student from Monterrey, Mexico, getting to know a bunch of people, listening to motivational speakers and traveling across the country,” he said. “I’m gaining networking and presentation skills and the confidence to just do whatever – I feel like I could do anything now.”
Carrizales is also setting an example for his two younger siblings as the first to go to college in the United States. When he graduates next spring, he will pursue his computer science bachelor’s degree, hopefully at Rice University, his dream school, and possibly minor in cybersecurity.
For information on Phi Theta Kappa, the premier honor society made up of more than 3.5 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 nations, go to ptk.org. For information on LSC-CyFair degree programs and workforce certificates, go to LoneStar.edu/cyfair.
Helping more than 22,000 students reach their academic and career goals, Lone Star College-CyFair is the 5th comprehensive college in the Lone Star College System, located at 9191 Barker Cypress Road just three miles south of U.S. Highway 290. Start close and go far at our satellite campuses: LSC-Cypress Center, located at 19710 Clay Road and LSC-Westway Park Technology Center, located at 5060 Westway Park Boulevard. For more information about LSC-CyFair and its programs, call 281.290.3200 or visit LoneStar.edu/cyfair.
Lone Star College offers high-quality, low-cost academic transfer and career training education to 99,000 students each semester. LSC is training tomorrow’s workforce today and redefining the community college experience to support student success. Stephen C. Head, Ph.D., serves as chancellor of LSC, the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area with an annual economic impact of nearly $3 billion. LSC consists of six colleges, 10 centers, two university centers, Lone Star Corporate College and LSC-Online. To learn more, visit LoneStar.edu.
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