Brief History of Lee College
Lee College was founded in 1934 as part of the Goose Creek Independent School District. The main campus at the corner of Lee Drive and Gulf Street in Baytown was first used in 1951. Today it is a 37-acre campus with 31 buildings containing 81 classrooms, 43 laboratories, a gymnasium, a library, a Performing Arts Center, and a building devoted to student services that includes a snack bar, game room, and bookstore.
The College separated from the school district in 1965 and now has its own President and Board of Regents. In 1966 the College began the first program in Texas to award associate degrees to prison inmates. The program is now centered at the Lee College Huntsville Center and is the largest in Texas, serving more than 1,200 inmates annually. Other off-campus education programs include a robust distance education program, and physical campuses located at the Liberty County Education Center, McNair Center, and dual credit instructional sites in Anahuac, Crosby, Dayton, Hardin, Huffman, Hull Daisetta, Liberty, and Mont Belvieu.
With enrollment of approximately 11,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) credit students per year, Lee College is a comprehensive community college. Besides taking credit courses, over 13,000 students enroll in continuing education courses every year.
Accreditation
Lee College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award the following degrees: Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, and Associate of Applied Science. In addition, the College must adhere to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) rules because THECB authorizes all programs and courses for degree-granting institutions in Texas. Nursing and allied health programs may be subject to additional requirements from state and/or national accreditation agencies.
Southern Association of Colleges Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
1866 Southern Lane Decatur, Georgia 30033
Phone: 404.679.4500, Fax: 404.679.4558
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB)
P.O. Box 12788 Austin, TX 78711
Phone: 512.427.6101, Fax: 512.427.6127
Our Mission
Lee College serves the community by providing innovative and quality education to our diverse students along guided pathways to gainful employment, personal enrichment, and life-long learning.
Our Vision
Lee College will empower students by providing knowledge and skills to confidently navigate their future.
Our Values
- Student Success
- Integrity
- Community
- Diversity
- Commitment
Philosophy
The College District is committed to the personal and cultural growth of students and to the enrichment of the community. Through instruction at a competitive price, the College District seeks to create an atmosphere in which students may develop their career potential, leadership qualities, intellects, talents, and skills. Likewise, the College District provides an environment in which its students, faculty, staff, and administrators can participate in college governance. The College District is committed to offering competitive salaries and benefits along with a full range of professional development activities for faculty and staff.
Equal Employment Opportunity and Non-Discrimination
In its efforts to promote nondiscrimination and as required by law, Lee College does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, military status, genetic information, or on any other basis prohibited by law.
Additionally, the college does not discriminate against an employee or applicant who acts to oppose such discrimination or participates in the investigation of a complaint related to a discriminatory employment practice. Employment decisions will be made on the basis of each applicant's job qualifications, experience, and abilities.
In accordance with Title IX and 34 C.F.R. part 106, the college does not discriminate on the basis of sex and is required not to discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational programs or activities. The requirement not to discriminate extends to employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX may be referred to the college's Title IX coordinator, to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Education, or both.
The college designates and authorizes the following employees as Co-Title IX Coordinators to address concerns or inquiries regarding discrimination based on sex, including sexual harassment, as well as questions or concerns relating to discrimination for any other reason. Reports of discrimination may be made as described in the Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation topics.
For employees — Amanda Summers, Director of Human Resources, 281.425.6875
For students — Rosemary Coffman, Executive Director, Student Success and Wellbeing, 281.425.6387.
The college designates and authorizes the following employee as the ADA/Section 504 Coordinator to address concerns regarding discrimination on the basis of a disability: Rosemary Coffman, Associate Dean of Student Life & Testing, 281.425.6387
Board of Regents
The board usually meets the fourth Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. Special and emergency meetings may be called when necessary. A written notice of regular and special meetings will be posted on the college website and the Rundell Hall Bulletin Board at least 72 hours before the scheduled meeting time. The written notice will show the date, time, place, and subjects of each meeting. In emergencies, a meeting may be held or addition to the board agenda made with a two-hour notice.
The board meeting schedule, agendas, notices, and minutes are posted on this website and the college Boardbook link.
All meetings are open to the public. In certain circumstances, Texas law permits the board to go into a closed session from which the public and others are excluded. Closed session may occur for such things as discussing prospective gifts or donations, real-property acquisition, certain personnel matters including employee complaints, security matters, student discipline, or consulting with attorneys regarding pending litigation.
Senior Leadership
The President's Cabinet is the executive leadership team for Lee College. The cabinet works with the president to set strategic direction for the college, to oversee and implement planning for major initiatives, and to make policy recommendations to the Board of Regents.
Current members of the President's Cabinet include:
- President
- Provost/Vice President of Academic & Student Affairs
- Vice President of Finance & Administration
- Vice President of Workforce & Community Development
- Chief Information Officer
- Chief of Staff/Director of Strategic Operations
- Associate Vice President of Huntsville Center
- Associate Vice President of Student Affairs
- Associate Vice President of Retention & Transition/Chief Equity Officer
Campus Directory
From time to time, employees have questions or concerns. If those questions or concerns cannot be answered by supervisors or at the campus or department level, the employee is encouraged to contact the appropriate department or employee as listed in the online college directory (www.lee.edu/directory).
College Governance
Lee College has a strong history of shared governance. The Faculty, Staff, and Administrative Assemblies all serve as representative bodies reporting to the president and her administration. Through these channels, recommendations about every facet of the institution can be made, including, but not limited to curriculum, student success, facilities, employee engagement, and continuous improvement activities. Each assembly has regular meeting schedules throughout the academic school year, with few special meetings being called as necessary during the summer months.