LSCO Continues to Develop Academic Partnerships Across Texas
November 4, 2026
ORANGE, TX – Lamar State College Orange is continuing to expand its reach across Texas through a growing network of partnerships designed to help students earn college credentials, gain workforce experience, and transition easily into four-year degree programs.
Associate Vice President of Statewide Partnerships, Kristin Walker, emphasized the college's mission is to provide flexible pathways that meet both student and industry needs. "We want to be what our employers need and what our students desire to do in terms of providing for their families and for their futures," Walker said.
Walker was especially excited about one of the newest, and possibly most unique, partnerships involving The Institute in Rockwall, a private cosmetology and barbering school owned by educator Dr. Renda Songer.
The partnership will allow students pursuing cosmetology licenses to simultaneously earn college credit toward an Associate of Applied Science in Cosmetology Management. Students will complete state licensing requirements while also working toward a college degree. Walker described the initiative as a first-of-its-kind opportunity. Future plans for this initiative include expanding into barbering, esthetics, and lash technician programs, giving students additional pathways to convert professional certifications into college credit.
Another student-centric partnership LSCO has made is with Texas State University. The partnership's Gateway Program allows students to begin their college careers through Lamar State College Orange while living and studying on the Texas State campus in San Marcos. Students take one course through Texas State and a full semester schedule through Lamar State College Orange, all while receiving access to services and resources at both institutions.
Participants enjoy the benefits of smaller class sizes, lower tuition costs, academic support services, recreation facilities, campus housing opportunities, and student activities. The program has grown exponentially since its first semester last year.
"We started with 40 students last fall, and we had 444 this year," Walker said. “We're really excited for the opportunities that it does provide our Orange County residents to be able to join in that type of a program.”The colleges have taken every measure to ensure all students in the Gateway Program have the utmost support to complete their courses successfully, including adding a full LSCO faculty to the San Marcos campus.
“We have staff there on campus who check in on our students and who are supporting our faculty,” Walker said. “Lamar State College Orange has full-time faculty that work on the Texas State University campus.”
Students who complete the program and maintain the required academic standing can transition directly into Texas State University, eliminating any barriers associated with transferring schools.
Walker is thrilled about the expansion of LSCO to partners across the state. As LSCO looks forward, she is hoping to further develop current partnerships and continue to introduce new ones to benefit students and local industries.