Lewis rises through STEM to build better patient care

During a night shift at a skilled nursing facility, certified nurse aide Lorenzo Lewis heard a resident screaming, “Help! Help!”

When no on-duty nurses made a move, he sprinted down the hall to find a diabetic patient had fallen out of her bed. What troubled him more was a nurse’s response afterward: “As you get into this field, you’re going to learn to detach emotions from the job.”

Dumbfounded, heart still pounding, Lewis determined he would never work with that attitude. But if he wanted to help build a more just health care system, he needed to rise higher in the field.

“You can make a change from the bottom, but if you want to continue to make changes, you have to elevate your position,” he said.

Turning point

Lewis has spent 15 years working entry-level health care jobs through fast-track certificates. Work rather than higher education always took priority.

Now in his mid-30s, he’s pursuing San Jacinto College’s natural science degree as the foundation for future biology and nursing studies.

His turning point came after moving from California to Houston in 2023. The question he kept asking himself was “What do I want out of my life?” And the answer was stability, purpose, and a career helping others.

When Lewis first saw San Jac’s North Campus — with mission-style architecture that reminded him of his hometown in San Bernardino County — he told a friend, “That’s going to be my school.”

And he meant it.

Clearer focus

Enrolling at San Jac in fall 2025, Lewis immediately found inspiration in North Campus math professor Dr. Christopher Miller, who expected 110% from his students. Returning to school after almost two decades, Lewis doubted himself, but Miller’s elementary statistics class shifted something.

“I realized that was kind of my lane — answering why, when, what, and how,” he said. “That’s my personality: ‘Where’s your proof?’”

Statistics also deepened his resolve to serve those who are overlooked or unable to advocate for themselves.

“Statistics taught me to look deeper, to ask questions,” he said. “Nursing requires that — interpreting vital signs in patient trends, recognizing health disparities, making evidence-based decisions. It gave me confidence in critical thinking.”

Don’t let age or doubt convince you you’re behind. A lot of people are afraid to start over. You’re not starting over. You’re starting from experience.

Once reserved, Lewis has transformed as an adult student. He pursues tutoring, attends campus events, raises his hand in the classroom, and even talks to his professors after class.

“Don’t let age or doubt convince you you’re behind,” he said. “A lot of people are afraid to start over. You’re not starting over. You’re starting from experience.”

Bold future

What’s next for Lewis? He’ll complete his natural science degree, then pursue nursing studies to become a forensic nurse who helps assault victims and collects and evaluates evidence.

The merging of technology and science fascinates him, along with the opportunity to make an impact.

“I’m not just studying nursing — I’m preparing to stand at the intersection of science, compassion, and justice, using both data and empathy to protect patients and give a voice to those who need it most,” he said.

Learn more about the natural science program

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About San Jacinto College

Surrounded by monuments of history, evolving industries, maritime enterprises of today, and the space age of tomorrow, San Jacinto College has served the people of East Harris County, Texas, since 1961. The College is ranked second in the nation among more than 1,100 community colleges, as designated by the Aspen Institute and was named an Achieving the Dream Leader College of Distinction in 2020 and 2026. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution that spans five campuses, plus an online college, San Jacinto College serves approximately 45,000 credit and non-credit students annually. It offers more than 200 degrees and certificates across eight major areas of study that put students on a path to transfer to four-year institutions or enter the workforce. The College is fiscally sound, holding bond ratings of AA+ by Standard & Poor’s and Aa2 by Moody’s. San Jacinto College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.