education

Presenting The Art of IT

Southeastern’s Department of Computer Science is hosting the second of the spring Industry Connect Distinguished Lectures on March 20 at 4 p.m. Scheduled in the Envoc Innovation Lab, located in room 2026 in the Computer Science and Technology Building, the free lecture is titled “The Art of IT.”

Brandon Casey, owner of Lagniappe IT in Mandeville, will serve as the guest speaker. He provides comprehensive IT support and cybersecurity services for small businesses. Casey will discuss his journey and key topics, such as engineering, OSI models, and the challenges small businesses face in today’s digital revolution.

Guests are welcome to attend in person at the Computer Science and Technology building or virtually via Google Meet. To be added to the RSVP list and receive all event details, email industryconnect@southeastern.edu.

For more information, contact the Department of Computer Science at 985-549-5740.

COMPUTER SCIENCE DEPARTMENT TO HOST INDUSTRY CONNECT LECTURE – Southeastern Louisiana University’s Department of Computer Science is hosting the second of the spring Industry Connect Distinguished Lectures March 20 at 4 p.m. Brandon Casey, owner of Lagniappe IT in Mandeville, will serve as guest speaker and present The Art of IT.

Named a Top Green College

The Princeton Review has recognized Southeastern in its 2025 Guide to Green Colleges. The university was ranked among the top 100 in the country for efforts towards eco-friendly and sustainable practices.

According to the Princeton report, data was collected from institutional and student surveys that highlighted key factors relating to green colleges. The notable criteria for the ranking included student reports of a high-quality of healthy and sustainable living on campus, the school’s efforts to prepare students for future employment in a growing green U.S. economy, and the university’s policies that reflect environmental responsibility.

The statistics provided by the Princeton Review mark high levels of sustainability for the universities that met the standards for their Guide to Green Colleges. According to Princeton Review’s website, for each university on the list, “28% of their energy comes from clean and renewable sources, 46% of their waste is diverted from incinerators or solid-waste landfills, and 98% offer a sustainability-focused undergraduate major or degree.” Additionally, every school recognized has a campus sustainability officer who focuses on issues such as energy usage, conservation, and anti-pollution efforts.

Rankings and additional information on the Princeton Review’s 2025 Guide to Green Colleges can be accessed here.

Celebrating a New Class of Southeastern Graduates

On Saturday, Dec. 14, Southeastern honored 1,096 new graduates at the first Commencement ceremony during its 100th year in operation.

Due to the large number of graduates being celebrated, two separate ceremonies are now held every December and every May. The first ceremony at the Winter 2024 Commencement, held at 10 a.m., celebrated undergraduate and graduate students from the colleges of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; Education; and Science and Technology. At 3 p.m., the second ceremony acknowledged the accomplishments of students from the colleges of Business and Nursing and Health Sciences.

Receiving 15 different degrees, 389 men and 707 women were officially welcomed into the alumni family. These graduates represented 15 states and 16 countries.

Ranked a Top School by U.S. News and World Report

Southeastern has earned three rankings from U.S. News and World Report, again being named among the top universities in the region. The university was listed as one of the top 50 public schools and one of the top 100 universities (private or public) in the South. Southeastern also was named as one of the top national performers for the social mobility of its students.

“These accolades are yet another testament to the tremendous support Southeastern students receive from our faculty and staff,” said Southeastern President William S. Wainwright. “We are wholly committed to the academic success of every student.”

Every year, U.S. News and World Report publishes college rankings in the United States. Colleges and universities are reviewed based on academic quality and measures, such as graduation rates, retention rates, and social mobility.

“Although the methodology is the product of years of research, we continuously refine our approach based on user feedback, literature reviews, trends in our own data and availability of new data. We also regularly engage with institutional researchers and high-ranking academic officials, including presenting at higher education forums and conducting interactive webinars,” U.S. News said. “Our detailed methodology is transparent in part for use by schools and academics, but mostly because we believe prospective students will find our rankings more useful if they know what the rankings measure.”

Graduation rates for first-generation college students were once again factored into the ranking’s overall methodology. The ranking “evaluates which schools best serve underrepresented students” and analyzes enrollment and graduation rates of low-income students with Pell Grants. Southeastern was ranked 117th nationally in social mobility.

The rankings can be accessed here.

Offering a New Medical Sales Certificate

Southeastern’s College of Business is now offering an undergraduate certificate in sales leadership.

The Medical Sales Certificate program allows students from all majors the opportunity to upskill and enhance their degree. Sales skills are relevant for a variety of roles, including, but not limited to, sales and sales leadership, said Interim Department Head of Marketing and Supply Chain Management April Kemp.

“In an increasingly competitive job market, this program offers comprehensive training in medical products, sales strategies, and effective communication techniques tailored for healthcare professionals,” Kemp said. “The Medical Sales Certificate enhances students’ resumes and connects them with industry leaders and potential job opportunities, positioning graduates for career success.”

The program curriculum was designed using an interdisciplinary approach by faculty in both the College of Business and The College of Nursing and Health Studies and an advisory board of medical sales professionals to ensure students would gain knowledge and experience to set them up for success. Courses include topics in medical terminology, applying evidence to improve healthcare outcomes, professional selling, and opportunities for internships and surgical observations.

Travis McCoy, a leader in the industry with 20 years of experience in domestic and international healthcare sales, serves as the Southeastern Medical Sales Advisory Board Chair.

“The demand for skilled medical sales representatives is on the rise, and this program aims to serve as a gateway to rewarding career paths,” said McCoy. “Southeastern faculty and the advisory board members are committed to providing students with industry knowledge and the networking opportunities they need to thrive.”

For more information about the Medical Sales Certificate program, contact the Southeastern Department of Marketing and Supply Chain at marketing@southeastern.edu or call 985-549-2277.

Empowering Future Hispanic Leaders

Southeastern’s Latin American Business Development Initiative recently concluded its Young Hispanic Pre-College Preparation and Leadership Program, an initiative that brought together 30 high school seniors from Hammond, Independence, and Ponchatoula. The program, held several Saturdays in September and October, aims to prepare Hispanic students for higher education and leadership roles in their communities.

The program addresses a critical need in the region. According to recent data, the U.S. Hispanic population grew by 2% from 2013 to 2022, close to half of the nation’s overall population growth of 5.5%. Hispanics in 2022 represented 19.1% of the total U.S. population. Despite this growth, Hispanic students face persistent challenges, including lower college enrollment and completion rates. ( Pew Hispanic Center)

In fall 2022, the number of Hispanic students enrolled in U.S. degree-granting postsecondary institutions was 3.8 million. Twenty-one percent of U.S resident students enrolled in degree-granting institutions were Hispanic/Latino. However, according to Latin American Business and Leadership Development Initiative Director Aristides Baraya, gaps in educational attainment remain, making programs like Southeastern’s Pre-College Preparation and Leadership Program vital in addressing these disparities.

“The Fall 2024 program featured dynamic workshops on leadership, personal branding, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, workforce readiness, STEM, artificial intelligence, and ACT preparation,” Baraya said. “Participants engaged in a rigorous schedule that blended academic instruction with real-world skill development.”

Recognizing the importance of parental involvement, Southeastern also hosted a dedicated session for parents, Baraya explained. The daylong event covered vital topics, including preventing substance abuse, online safety, understanding vaping risks, and navigating financial aid options at Southeastern.

“This impactful program was made possible through partnerships with such prominent organizations as JPMorgan Chase and Co., Shell, Miguel A. Elias – A Professional Law Corporation, Chick-Fil-a, and others,” he said. “These collaborations underscore the commitment of both the private and academic sectors to supporting the Hispanic community.”

Organized by the Office of the Latin American Business Development Initiative, Baraya said, the program exemplifies Southeastern’s dedication to supporting underserved communities and fostering a sense of belonging.

“For more than 24 years, LABDI has strengthened leadership and educational opportunities for the Hispanic population, both locally and internationally,” he said.

For more information, contact Baraya at abaraya@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-2171.

Caring Doesn’t Take a Break

One Staff Member’s Unexpected Journey into Filling a Gap for International Students

By Brock Sanders

Josh Randall, the production manager at Southeastern’s Document Source Print and Mail Center, started the Fall 2023 semester with a surprise visit from a student asking about mail. The simple interaction between Randall and Imole Olugbola, a student from Nigeria studying music performance, opened the doors to a problem in dire need of a solution.

Olugbola had come to the Mail Center to ask about the delivery of his Social Security card, which would allow him to work at the on-campus dining services. Working on campus provided Olugbola with finances to pay for his off-campus apartment and not need transportation to work. However, the card never came in after weeks of asking. Randall took it into his own hands to produce results that the Social Security card office was not providing to Olugbola.

“Let’s just get in my Jeep and drive to the Social Security office to figure this out,” Randall said.

The pair were told that the paperwork had gone through some rerouting but would arrive. Olugbola received his paperwork days later and was able to work on campus. However, this wasn’t the end of their friendship.

Randall inquired about his new Nigerian friend at lunch after the mystery of the lost Social Security card was solved. Olugbola grew up in an impoverished area of Nigeria, according to Randall, and learned how to play the violin at his local library where YouTube was accessible on the free computers. He later moved to Hammond, Louisiana, on a scholarship to play the violin in the Department of Music and Performing Arts.

Throughout the semester, Randall readily kept up with Olugbola until the cusp of finals in November. It was then that the international student came to the Mail Center asking about job opportunities over the winter break when the university would be shut down.

Due to departments being closed, Olugbola would be out of a job for close to three weeks. An initiative to produce results and try to find a solution drove Randall down a rabbit hole of more questions than answers.

Lack of a work visa or transportation posed a precarious situation in finding a job for one international student and an even larger problem when Ogubola introduced his friend.

“[Ogubola] came in one day and asked, ‘Mr. Josh, I have a friend who is in the same shape and needs a job, can you help him too?’” Randall said.

Curious as to how many other international students were in the same boat as Ogubola and his friend Ayomide Olubuse, Randall asked if a poll could be done. The survey, conducted by Olubuse, produced a list of 34 students at Southeastern from Nigeria who were going to be without a job or family during the winter break.

“It was Christmastime, and you can’t go pinching pennies at Christmastime. That’s not what we do here,” said Randall.

Randall, again, pushed himself to try harder.

He contacted business owners, department heads, and members of the Greater Hammond Chamber of Commerce to give these students a chance to not only live but thrive during the four-week break.

“If there is something that can be done, why can’t it be done?” Randall said, living by the mantra to help people where help is needed.

This urge to help flows into his pastimes, where he is a volunteer fireman; assistant director at his local youth association in Springfield, Louisiana; and the owner of a 20-year-old jeep club.

Randall said he only brings problems to the table if solutions are readily available. He proposed that departments that have to work over winter break and have room on their budget from students who return home promote those open positions for students who are eager to work. Forming a network of business owners who could offer jobs for short periods could also open a larger door for other international students that attend Southeastern.

Randall is hopeful and driven that he will do his part to be part of the solution. “I promise you I will do what I can to not let this happen again,” he said.

To further help combat this predicament, the Office of Student Engagement jumped in to arrange a food program to provide for international students remaining close to campus during the break through the Lion Pantry food pantry program. The Lion Pantry provides perishable and non-perishable items to any active Southeastern students who are in need of services throughout the year, and during breaks, this critical resource can make an especially big difference to members of the campus community.

Within the Office of Student Engagement, Southeastern’s Multicultural and International Student Affairs (MISA) office provides support services, along with social and leadership opportunities, to international students throughout the year, including hosting a popular International Night and housing international student organizations. MISA and other university departments are continuing to investigate additional ways to make sure all students have everything they need to achieve a successful and happy experience at Southeastern, no matter the time of year.

There are close to 160 international students currently enrolled at the university, a number which continues to rise as Southeastern’s reputation for academic excellence mixed with caring support in a welcoming community continues to grow across the globe.

During the Hammond Christmas Parade in December, Southeastern President William Wainwright was adamant that a magnet be placed on one of the floats stating “We love our international students.”

“At Southeastern, you matter here,” Randall said. “I live by that.”

Named Louisiana’s Nursing School of the Year

Southeastern’s undergraduate nursing program has been recognized by the Louisiana Nurses Foundation with the Nightingale Award as the Nursing School of the Year, and faculty member Kristi Lamarque-Bordelon was honored with the Nightingale Award for Clinical Practice Nurse of the Year. The awards recognize the achievements of the nursing program’s students and faculty.

This is the sixth time Southeastern has been recognized with a Nightingale Award for the undergraduate nursing program.

The competition is evaluated by a panel of out-of-state judges who review the nominations submitted by nursing programs throughout the state. The Nightingale Awards are the foundation’s highest recognition for quality, service, commitment and excellence among Louisiana registered nurses.

Ann Carruth, dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, said nursing programs are evaluated for the award by a wide range of criteria, including accreditation status, innovations in education and teaching, nursing examination passage rate, and comments solicited from graduates, faculty and area employers.

Assistant Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences Ken Tillman attributed the success of the undergraduate program’s students and graduates to the dedicated nursing faculty and teaching resources.

“The nursing faculty is committed to the students’ success, and the program offers excellent instructional spaces, skills practice labs, and patient simulation labs both on campus and at the Baton Rouge Center.”

A Southeastern faculty member since 2023, Lamarque-Bordelon teaches medical/surgical and maternal health clinical courses. She is a perinatal bereavement nurse at St. Tammany Hospital.

School of Nursing Department Head Lindsay Domiano said she is proud of the students and faculty for their dedication and excellence to once again be recognized with the prestigious Nightingale Award.

“This award reflects our commitment to providing innovative and high-quality nursing education that prepares our graduates to excel in their careers. Our faculty’s dedication and the state-of-the-art resources available to our students are key to our success,” she said. “We are honored to be acknowledged as the Nursing School of the Year and proud of Kristi for being recognized as Clinical Practice Nurse of the Year. We will continue to strive for excellence in nursing education.”

For more information about Southeastern’s Nursing Program, visit southeastern.edu/nursing.

Enrollment Continues to Grow

Southeastern’s fall semester has once again shown enrollment growth, achieving its strongest overall enrollment since COVID-19-19 and superseding its pre-COVID enrollment. With an overall enrollment increase of four percent at 14,440 students, Southeastern experienced growth in several categories.

Undergraduate enrollment rose by 3.9 percent.
Graduate enrollment rose by 4.7 percent, reaching the highest graduate student population in over a decade.
New first-time freshmen increased by 2.3 percent.
New incoming transfer students rose by 3.3 percent.

“Students and families understand the value in a Southeastern education,” said Southeastern President William S. Wainwright. “As we enter our 100th year, we are confident in our ability to prepare the next generation of entrepreneurs, nurses, teachers, leaders, and citizens of Louisiana—continued strategic enrollment growth honors our commitment and validates our mission.”

“A strategic initiative of our state is to better prepare high school students for college by earning college credit while still in high school,” Wainwright explained. “Southeastern continues to lead in this area in alignment with the Board of Regents’ Master Plan for Louisiana.”

With over a $1 billion economic impact on the region, Southeastern currently offers over 150 programs of study, including many that are regionally and nationally ranked. To apply, visit southeastern.edu.

Named a Governor’s Military and Veteran Friendly Campus

Southeastern has received the Silver designation for the 2024-2025 Governor’s Military and Veteran Friendly Campus. The achievement reflects the university’s commitment to supporting military-affiliated students through various initiatives.

Southeastern enrolls 492 veterans, dependents and military service members. The university maintains a Veterans Upward Bound program; provides academic and other counseling services; offers scholarships specifically for military students and veterans; and maintains a wide range of online and distance learning programs that provide students with flexibility in scheduling.

“We are proud of this recognition, as it illustrates Southeastern’s continued commitment to serve active military, veterans and their families,” said President William S. Wainwright. “Most importantly, we know the designation means we are doing our best to serve those who have made many sacrifices in service to our nation.”

This fall Southeastern designated a special housing unit specifically for military students, veterans, or those whose parents are veterans. The first of its kind in the state, the housing unit allows military-affiliated students to get to know one another and support each other while enrolled.

Another addition to campus is the Southeastern Student Veterans Association, a group open to veterans, reservists, spouses, dependents, and ROTC participants attending both Southeastern and Northshore Technical Community College. The association was founded to provide opportunities for veterans to meet one another and build a community, help the university administration better understand and meet the needs of veterans and their families, and help civilians better understand the military experience.

The university’s ROTC program, which returned to campus in 2016 with 10 cadets, has seen significant growth and success. The program now enrolls over 50 cadets and is expected to continue to grow.

Southeastern also serves as a resource center for thousands of Louisiana veterans in an effort to help active-duty military service men and women successfully transition to college through a new program called LaVetCorps, and has a specific office dedicated to serving veterans and their family members. The Office of Military and Veteran Success processes all education benefits sponsored by the VA and DOD, conducts VA benefits counseling, offers priority registration for classes and on-campus housing, and more.

Director of Military and Veteran Success Emily Anthony, who is currently serving as a Captain in the Louisiana Army National Guard, said Southeastern recently became designated as a Purple Heart University by the Military Order of the Purple Heart, signifying an unwavering commitment to continuously improve services to combat-wounded veterans.

“The Southeastern community is passionately committed to serving our veteran community, and it truly shows through our customer service across campus,” said Anthony. “Each office works collaboratively to ensure a seamless experience for our students, and we continue to improve every day. We have created a network of resources involving countless local businesses and organizations that provide services to veterans. As a veteran myself, I am extremely proud to work here because of what we represent.”

Senator Bill Cassidy recently visited campus to meet with a distinguished group of student veterans, hear their stories, and gain insight on their experiences navigating the VA system, utilizing benefits, and juggling school with military service, Anthony explained. She said the university plans to host another student veterans roundtable in the near future.

Southeastern has also been named a Military Friendly® School for 12 consecutive years.