Justin Lonon, Chancellor, Dallas College

In an interview with Invest:, Justin Lonon, chancellor of Dallas College, emphasized its support for students through services such as mental health, transportation, and food security. Lonon also discussed how the college is addressing regional employment needs and trends, and why there’s a need to rethink traditional higher education models.

What have been some of the key highlights and achievements for Dallas College over the last academic year?

It has certainly been an interesting year. When you look at what is happening globally, across the country, and the conversations around the value of education, particularly higher education, it is clear there is a lot of scrutiny. The last Gallup poll found that confidence in higher education was about 36%. However, when you drill down further to look at community colleges, about 49% of people have a great deal of confidence in them. We do better than the larger higher education sector, but there are still questions in society about the value of education.

At Dallas College, we are intently focused on being in the barrier-busting business, focusing on the barriers that hinder student success. We know that we can provide the path of opportunity that our students need, and we are working to widen that path for many in our community.

Looking back at this last year, we have made several enhancements to our facilities through our bond initiative to ensure that they meet the needs and demands of our students. We have increased the number of complete online programs to meet students where they are and provide increased flexibility. We have also seen the successes of our first bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, with an increase in students who have come through that program and are now teaching in classrooms at our Independent School District partners. We are focused on increasing access and opportunity, increasing completion for our students, and ensuring that we have the right program mix for them.

Another thing we have done over this last year is develop a new sector strategy to engage our employers differently. Our campus presidents lead one of our identified sectors for the entire region, ensuring that we have a sense of what the employment needs of the region are and can respond accordingly to get students into the workforce pipeline.

What are some of the trends that are shaping the education landscape, and how is Dallas College leveraging or adapting these trends? 

There are a few different things to consider. First, we have our Labor Market Intelligence Center, which constantly analyzes labor market data in our region to identify gaps. Over the last few years, we have focused heavily on smoothing out the pipeline from K-12 to college. We have 30,000 high-school students enrolled through our dual credit, early-college high school and P-TECH programs, providing opportunities and access for students coming out of K-12.

We are also shifting our focus to adult learners. About 45% of adults in this region, particularly those aged 25-34, do not have a college degree or only have some college credit. We are building programs for these students who may need to retrain and earn certifications and credentials that can help them earn more and support their families.

Additionally, we have been responding to state policy shifts, particularly the move to outcomes-based funding for community colleges, as seen in House Bill 8 from the last legislative session. We have always focused on outcomes for students, but House Bill 8 provides incentives for what are traditionally referred to as non-credit programs. We know these programs have value for students and employers, so we are focusing heavily on them.

Lastly, we recognize that the experience of our students is different postpandemic. We know there has been some learning loss over time, so we are launching a Smart Start First-Year Experience program to provide additional support for students new to the college environment. This program will offer a new orientation experience, create meaningful connections with the college and community, and ensure that students feel supported throughout their first year. We have many first generation students, and we want them to know they have a whole network rooting for their success.

How does the college engage with the business community in North Texas to ensure that its programs remain relevant and aligned with industry demands? 

First, our Labor Market Intelligence Center is constantly analyzing labor market data to understand the needs of businesses and industries. This includes identifying what types of jobs are in demand, what those jobs pay, and how our programs align with those demands. Moreover, we conduct sector strategy work, led by our campus presidents, who engage directly with CEOs and sectors across the region. This engagement helps us understand the issues and challenges they face. We aim to be a solution provider, but even if we are not, it is crucial for us to grasp the situation and partner accordingly.

We are also collaborating with other institutions of higher education. For example, we developed an interlocal agreement with Tarrant County College, allowing us to work together in Dallas and Fort Worth. This collaboration ensures that we provide what is needed for our two counties, our service areas, and our region as a whole.

Recently, we kicked off and announced a partnership called the Dallas Transfer Collaborative. This includes Dallas College, Texas Woman’s University, the University of North Texas at Dallas, and Texas A&M University-Commerce (now East Texas A&M University). Together, we have developed meta-majors to provide more opportunities for students as they transfer to a university. This initiative ensures that all college credits count within their field of study, smoothing out the transfer pipeline for students on the academic transfer path.

In terms of providing opportunities for internships and apprenticeships, we are heavily engaged with employers to develop more of these earn-and-learn opportunities. We understand that our students often need to work, so why not have them work in a field related to their academic focus? This not only benefits the students but also gives employers a chance to engage in a “try-before-you-buy” approach with potential employees. Ultimately, this also helps build their workforce pipeline.

Looking ahead, what is your outlook for the college and the higher education sector over the next few years?

We have reimagined Dallas College from the old Dallas County Community College District model to build what we have today. In doing so, we are reimagining what higher education looks like. Higher education, broadly speaking, is an old, broken, and antiquated model that must change, and we are changing it to be more responsive to student needs, community needs, and industry demands.

For our economy to continue thriving here in North Texas, we must ensure that everyone has the opportunity to participate in that thriving economy. We know that some people are being left out, so we are going to continue working with our industry partners to address workforce challenges. We will continue reimagining our programs and when we offer those programs.

Many of our adult learners need additional credentials to be competitive in the marketplace. About 75% of local employers report difficulty finding a skilled workforce, despite over 500,000 job postings in the region. So, we must continue to lean in and ensure that people have access to these jobs.