Gator Bites
‘Gator Bites’ gives an authentic, inside look into Lamar State College Orange, dedicated to elevating Gator voices, spotlighting campus life, and fostering meaningful conversations that connect, inform, and inspire the Gator community. Through engaging interviews, behind-the-scenes stories, and real talk about college life, we aim to build a stronger, more connected campus culture.
Episodes
29 episodes
S1: E29 | More Than a Degree: The LSCO Graduate Experience
In this special graduation edition of Gator Bites, LSCO graduates Zoey Royer, HeavenLeigh Hughes, Lucia Liu, and Reid Burman reflect on the experiences that shaped their college journey and prepared them for what comes next.From balancin...
S1: E28 | Beyond the Books: How PTK Builds Leaders
In this episode of Gator Bites, we’re diving into Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year college students, and a powerful force for student success at Lamar State College Orange.Host Daniel McLemore sits down with ...
S1: E27 | Why FAME Works: Education, Experience, and Opportunity
In this episode of Gator Bites, we’re spotlighting the FAME internship program and how it’s redefining what it means to be career-ready. Recorded during National Apprenticeship Week, this conversation explores how students can earn a degree whi...
S1: E26 | Earn While You Learn: Inside the Dow Apprenticeship
In this episode of Gator Bites, we celebrate ahead of National Apprenticeship Week with a deep dive into the Dow Apprenticeship Program and its impact on students and the Southeast Texas workforce. Host Daniel McLemore is joined by Dow...
S1: E25 | Inside Gatorama: LSCO’s Biggest Campus Event
In this special episode of Gator Bites, hosts Zoey Royer and Reid Burman take the podcast on the move at Gatorama, one of Lamar State College Orange’s most exciting campus events. From student organizations and ambassadors to community...
S1: E24 | 16 Weeks to a Career: Inside LSCO's Operator Academy
In this episode of Gator Bites, we explore the Operator Academy at Lamar State College Orange, a fast-paced, hands-on training program designed to prepare students for careers in the petrochemical and industrial workforce. Host Daniel ...
S1: E23 | Real Estate, Real Skills, Real Opportunity
In this episode of Gator Bites, Daniel McLemore sits down with Martha Morian, Crystal Meyers, and Ava Rambo to explore the world of real estate from three unique perspectives: education, industry, and a brand-new professional entering ...
S1: E22 | Serve and Protect: Careers in Criminal Justice
In this episode of Gator Bites, we take a closer look at the Criminal Justice program at Lamar State College Orange. Host Daniel McLemore sits down with Program Director Hallie Gates, law enforcement officer and faculty member Antonio ...
S1: E21 | Inside an LSCO Career Expo
In this special episode of Gator Bites, we take the podcast on the road to the LSCO Career Expo inside the Shahan Events Center. Host Daniel McLemore walks the expo floor and speaks directly with employers from across Southeast Texas a...
S1: E20 | Called to the Classroom: Inside Teachers of Tomorrow
In this inspiring episode of Gator Bites, we spotlight LSCO’s Education program and the Teachers of Tomorrow student organization. Host Daniel McLemore sits down with education majors Carolina Dela Cruz and Olivia Hudnall, along with P...
S1: E19 | Your Next Step Starts Here: Transfer Pathways at LSCO
What happens after LSCO? In this episode of Gator Bites, Daniel McLemore sits down with Kendra De La Fuente and Karina Salgado Estrada to talk about LSCO’s upcoming Transfer Fair - an event designed to connect students directly with fo...
S1: E18 | Ten Months to a New Career: Dental Assisting at LSCO
Looking for a fast, hands-on pathway into healthcare? In this episode of Gator Bites, host Daniel McLemore talks with Program Director Stacy DeMontmollin and instructor Amber Cormier about LSCO’s Dental Assisting program. From real-wor...
S1: E17 | Every Word Matters: Inside LSCO’s Court Reporting Program
Court reporting is more than what you see in movies; it’s a high-skill, high-demand career with flexibility, strong earning potential, and real impact. In this episode of Gator Bites, host Daniel McLemore talks with Christy Smit...
S1: E:16 | Meeting You Where You Are: Workforce Pathways at LSCO
What if education worked around your life and not the other way around? In this episode of Gator Bites, host Daniel McLemore sits down with LSCO’s Workforce and Continuing Education team, Kristin Walker, Michelle Hammerly, and D’Wayne ...
S1: E15 | Built to Last: Inside LSCO’s New Machine Shop Program
What happens when industry demand meets hands-on education? In this episode of Gator Bites, host Daniel McLemore sits down with Sean McFarland, Howard Bailey, and Alex Spell to explore LSCO’s new Machine Shop program launching this spr...
S1: E14 | Credit for Service: Empowering Texas’ Juvenile Justice Workforce
How can education strengthen public service? In this special episode of Gator Bites, President Wendy Elmore sits down with Chris Ellison, Director of Program Development and Training for the Texas Juvenile Justice Department, to discus...
S1: E13 | Balancing Books and Bedtime: The Journey of a Student Parent
How do you balance classes, parenting, and everything in between? In this episode of Gator Bites, host Daniel McLemore talks with Jessica Moore, LSCO’s Student Government Association Vice President and founder of a potential new studen...
S1: E12 | Access, Community, and Opportunity: LSCO in Polk County
What happens when education meets community? In this episode of Gator Bites, host Daniel McLemore sits down with Polk County Center instructors Heidi Kelly, Vic Wheeler, and Jessica Fant to discuss the impact of bringing higher educati...
S1: E:11 | Finding Your Voice: Inside Student Leadership at LSCO
What does it mean to find your voice in college? In this episode of Gator Bites, host Daniel McLemore sits down with SGA President Joshua Taylor and senators Reid Burman and HeavenLeigh Hughes to talk about leadership, campus involveme...
S1: E10 | Your Future. Our Focus: Student Leadership in Action
What does it take to turn opportunity into impact? In this episode of Gator Bites, host Daniel McLemore sits down with Joshua Taylor, President of LSCO’s Student Government Association and past Chair of the Texas State University Syste...
S1: E9 | The Heart of Nursing: LSCO’s First RN Students in Polk County
What does it take to be part of history? In this episode of Gator Bites, host Daniel McLemore talks with students of the very first Registered Nursing cohort at LSCO’s Polk County Center. From career changes and lifelong dreams to the ...
S1: E8 | Behind the Supply Chain: Inside LSCO’s Logistics Program
How do products get from warehouses to your doorstep, and who makes it all happen? In this episode of Gator Bites, we sit down with Hilda Marcel, Program Director of Logistics at LSCO. From Amazon’s game-changing strategies to the role...
S1: E7 | Investing in Students: Banking Education at LSCO
How do you prepare students for success in the world of finance? In this episode of Gator Bites, host Daniel McLemore talks with Ryan Holland, Department Chair of Finance, and Chris Kovatch, Banking Instructor and Vice President of Com...
S1: E6 | Dispatching Help, Delivering Hope: Jillian’s Journey
From answering 911 calls to securing grants that change lives, Jillian Bland has built a career around helping others. In this episode of Gator Bites, host Daniel McLemore talks with Jillian about her journey from police dispatch to LS...
S1: E5 | Future Leaders, Present Impact: Inside LSCO’s FBLA
How do students turn vision into action? In this episode of Gator Bites, host Daniel McLemore sits down with Zoey Royer, president of LSCO’s brand-new FBLA chapter, and faculty advisor Ryan Holland. From leadership development to natio...
