At a recent meeting of Beta Theta ESA, members welcomed guest speakers Dr. Laura Byrd, Interim President of Lake-Sumter State College (LSSC), and Shannon Herrera, Development Officer for the LSSC Foundation. Both shared remarkable achievements and updates from the college, underscoring the institution’s impact on the local community.
Dr. Byrd and Herrera provided an overview of LSSC’s growth and accomplishments, particularly focusing on the college’s efforts to foster student success. This fall, LSSC has seen a record-breaking 6,057 students enrolled, an increase of 833 students from last year. Additionally, 1,108 of these students are classified as first-time-in-college, further reflecting the college’s expanding reach.
LSSC’s commitment to higher education is supported in large part by the LSSC Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides essential financial support to students. The Foundation awards over $1,000,000 in scholarships annually, helping students from Lake and Sumter counties achieve their educational goals. Beta Theta ESA has been a proud donor to the Foundation, continuing its philanthropic efforts to support local students.
Since its inception in 1980, the Foundation has helped individuals, businesses, and organizations contribute to the college’s mission of providing high-quality education that leads to rewarding careers. In the Fall 2024 semester, LSSC has set records with 364 students enrolled in its bachelor’s programs and an impressive 91% of students residing within Lake or Sumter counties.
Among the many highlights shared were the college’s growing diversity, with Hispanic students now making up 27.7% of the student body. Seated course enrollment in Leesburg and South Lake has grown by more than 20%, and there has been double-digit enrollment growth across all regions served by the college, including North Lake, South Lake, North Sumter, and South Sumter.
As the college continues to flourish, the fastest-growing demographics are students aged 15-18 and 25-34, signaling strong demand for both traditional and non-traditional learning opportunities.
The Beta Theta members expressed their appreciation for the enlightening presentation and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the LSSC Foundation and its efforts in empowering local students through education.
