Texas Workforce Commission presents JET Grant Check of $208,741 to Lamar State College Orange

ORANGE, TX – The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) held a press conference today at Lamar State College Orange (LSCO) to announce the funding of a $208,741 Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) Grant for LSCO's Nursing and Health-related Programs.

The JET Grant funds are supporting the training of over 250 students in the Registered Nursing, Emergency Medical Technician, and Licensed Vocational Nursing Programs with industry-standard equipment, affording LSCO graduates to join a skilled workforce ready to meet the regional occupation demand.

Students in these programs are a combination of both traditional and dual credit students. Lamar State College Orange partners with several local Independent School Districts to offer courses required for the vocational nursing and EMT programs.

"We are very pleased that the Texas Workforce Commission sees the potential, as we do, in the students who attend LSCO and found our programs worthy of its investment through the Jobs and Education for Texans Grant. These funds will enable us to continue to offer state-of-the-art training to our students so that they will be skilled in best practices in their future industry and ready-to-work at the highest levels upon graduation," said LSCO President Dr. Tom Johnson.

Aaron Demerson, the TWC Commissioner Representing Employers, presented the award to President Dr. Tom Johnson and Dr. Wendy Elmore, Provost and Executive Vice President. Local community stakeholders and elected officials attended the event.

Pictured in TWC JET Grant Check Presentation Photo (left to right): LSCO President Dr. Thomas Johnson; TWC Programs Specialist Natalie Gonzalez; Jennifer Harris of the Office of State Senator Robert Nichols; LSCO RN Program Instructor Jennifer Trotter; LSCO Associate Dean of Nursing Mandee Tucker; Cole Michalk of the Office of Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan; LSCO Simulation Team Leader/VN Simulation Clinical Instructor Suzanne Baker; LSCO Provost and Executive Vice President Dr. Wendy Elmore; LSCO Director of Community and Workforce Education Thera Celestine; Dean of Health, Workforce, and Technical Studies Kristin Walker; Betty Russo of the Office of Governor Greg Abbott; and Aaron Demerson, TWC Commissioner for Employers