Howard College’s Lamesa campus is welcoming new leadership in a familiar face, Lupe Sudano. A first-generation college student and life-long member of the Lamesa community, Sudano has built a career in higher education while always calling Dawson County home. She now steps into the role of provost, bringing decades of experience and a vision shaped by her own journey to help others find their path to success.
Sudano’s journey is a testament to the power of education and the unwavering support of family, even when the path was unfamiliar. Both of her parents, who were born in Mexico, had only a first-grade education. Her father, a strong advocate for his children’s education, encouraged her to pursue college but found the admissions process difficult to navigate. That changed when a representative from the TRIO Talent Search program, Moses Peña, sat down with him and explained the process in his native language. That single conversation, Sudano says, was the key that unlocked her future. “If my dad hadn’t had the opportunity to speak with him, I would have never gone to college,” she reflected.
After graduating from Dawson High School, she earned her associate degree while working full-time. She later transferred to Wayland Baptist University, where evening classes allowed her to continue supporting herself and pursue her education through a non-traditional path that fit her needs.
Sudano’s career in higher education began immediately after she earned her bachelor’s degree. She was offered a position at the same community college she had attended and started working with the Trio SSS (Student Support Services) program, which assists first-generation and low-income students. Frequent travel requirements for her career has taken her across 11 states, working with various universities and gaining valuable experience in academic advising, student retention, and leadership.
Sudano’s professional experience is extensive, with roles including Academic Advisor at Texas A&M University – San Antonio, Student Development Specialist at Texas State University, and Admissions Officer at Covenant School of Nursing. Most recently, she served as a Transfer Partner Executive at Western Governors University, where she helped create and implement the CCBA Next Step Scholarship, a $3,000 award for community college students pursuing graduate degrees. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Sudano is an alumna of Western Governors University with a master’s degree in management and leadership and is currently enrolled in the Doctor of Education program at South College.
This passion for helping rural students overcome barriers to higher education is a central theme of her career. “My why,” she states in her professional summary, is rooted in the firsthand challenges she has witnessed rural students face – “limited access to resources, financial constraints, even cultural barriers to higher education that often go unseen.”
For Sudano, taking on this role is deeply personal. Having attended Lamesa schools through the 8th grade, she has always felt connected to the community and now sees this position as a meaningful way to give back. “It’s time to give back to the place that helped to shape who I am” she said. “I would have never thought I would have an opportunity to be able to do this in my own hometown.”
The new Provost’s vision for Howard College – Lamesa is to continue the legacy of success created by her predecessor, Monica Castro, while highlighting the opportunities available to local students. She plans to re-engage with the community with her immediate priority being to reconnect with educational and community leaders.
Sudano said that she believes listening to students is key to understanding their needs and aligning initiatives with their success goals.
She wants to showcase the college’s partnerships with four-year universities and help students navigate the transfer process. Plans to host workshops are in the works on topics such as financial literacy and career services, in collaboration with community leaders.
A core part of her message is to share her own story, including the struggles she faced. “I never saw myself going to college,” she admitted, adding that she didn’t learn to read and write until she was eight years old. She wants students to know that it’s okay to ask questions and that their challenges do not define their potential for success.
Sudano’s leadership style is grounded in empathy and transparency. She believes strongly in building a culture of trust and respect within her team, which she describes as her ‘behind-the-scenes’ support system. “We’re a family,” she said. “We need to know that we can rely on each other, because when we do, we’re better able to support our students.”
Married to Mick Sudano, the college’s Web Administrator and Director of Marketing, she credits both her husband and her late parents as her greatest supporters. She now hopes to inspire the next generation of leaders from Lamesa, just as her mentors once inspired her.
Her appointment marks a new chapter for Howard College – Lamesa, one that honors its roots while embracing a future full of opportunity and growth for students and the community alike.