LSUS Graduate Studies

Happy July 4th from all of us! 🎊

Happy Father’s Day 🥳

LSUS graduate finished degree while deployed near Russian border 👏 🫡

Keona Tidwell wasn’t going to put her life on hold.

The infantry officer in the U.S. Army knew deployment was likely when she was commissioned two years ago, but Tidwell also dreamed of working in the medical field after her military career.

So she decided to start the Master of Health Administration program at LSUS this past summer.

Tidwell earned her degree in 10 months despite spending more than half of that time deployed in Estonia, an Eastern European country that borders Russia.

“I didn’t know exactly when I would deploy when I started the program, but I decided to play it by ear,” Tidwell said. “I was nervous and scared about continuing my classes when I got my orders to deploy to Estonia, but you never know until you try.

“My military service had to come first, but I overcommunicated with all of my professors to let them know about situations when they came up. My professors worked with me without hesitation, and none of them told me that I should drop classes (while deployed).”

Read more https://www.lsus.edu/lsus-graduate-finished-degree-while-deployed-near-russian-border

Congratulations to all our graduating students! 🥳🎓💜

Your hard work and dedication have brought you to this incredible milestone 🎓 . Wishing you endless success and exciting adventures ahead.

You did it!! 💜💛💜🎓🥳

Good luck Pilots! 👍

LSUS designated as a Military Friendly university 👏 👨‍✈️

SHREVEPORT – LSUS earned the designation as a Military Friendly and a Military Spouse Friendly university, the military organization Viqtory announced Wednesday.

The designation signifies that LSUS creates sustainable and meaningful pathways for the military community.

LSUS works with members of the active duty military, veterans, and their qualifying family members to access educational benefits available to them from their military branches, state and federal governments, and other entities.

The University has staff in the on-campus Veterans Resource Center and in other departments like Admissions that are specifically trained to assist current and former military members.

LSUS helps enroll members of the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, Navy and Space Force by assisting service members in navigating the Military Tuition Assistance landscape.

Read more https://www.lsus.edu/lsus-designated-as-a-military-friendly-university

Sights 📸 from the just concluded 9th Annual LSUS Regional Student Scholars Forum 🎓 📚

Program Director Spotlight for the Month 👏

Join us as we dive into the remarkable journey of Dean Dennis R. Wissing, PhD, FAARC, the Dean
College of Education and Human Development and our Program Director Spotlight for the Month! 👏

From LSUS and beyond, we’re unveiling the captivating narrative of his path. Read this insightful piece delving into his experiences, challenges and triumphs. 🏆

We thank Dean Wissing for this opportunity.



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You are all invited to this year’s HOLI!! (Festival of Colors) 🎨

Date: April 13
Time: 11am to 1pm
Venue: Between the UC and the HPE building

FREE ENTRY! FREE FOOD!

RSVP using the QR code on the flier.

LSUS 53rd Annual Academic Awards Convocation Ceremony 🥇 👩‍🎓 👨‍🎓 🎓

Congratulations to all the awardees 👏

LSUS breaks all-time enrollment record with more than 10,000 this spring 👏
LSU Shreveport smashed its previous enrollment record as the university has crossed the 10,000 mark for the first time in the school’s history.

LSUS announced a final spring enrollment of 10,214 on Wednesday.

“For the first time in LSUS history, our enrollment has surpassed 10,000 students, thanks to increases in both undergraduate and graduate enrollments,” said LSUS Chancellor Dr. Robert Smith. “This is the result of hard work on behalf of everyone on campus as LSUS continues to focus on the success of our students, recruiting students and working to retain them through graduation.

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The Graduate Students Association (GSA) .lsus is calling on graduate students to apply for the following leadership position openings.

Please see flyers for details.

In a momentous occasion celebrated by the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce and Bossier Chamber of Commerce, the Louisiana Association for the Blind (LAB) proudly unveiled its innovative Low Vision Rehabilitation Center, marking a significant milestone in enhancing accessibility and support for individuals with visual impairments.

The focal point of this pioneering center is the recently renovated Assistive Technology room, meticulously designed to cater to the unique needs of individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Equipped with state-of-the-art assistive devices and cutting-edge technologies, the Assistive Technology room serves as a beacon of hope for those seeking to overcome the challenges associated with low vision.

Photos Courtesy of Bossier Chamber of Commerce and Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce.

LSUS graduate beats brain tumors, becomes author and publisher.

Crystal L. Gantt toted her books and her homework to a routine doctor’s visit when she heard the words she thought she’d never hear again.

Her brain tumor was back.

Gantt, who had beaten brain tumors following a surgery in 2011, was in her final semester of the Master of Business Administration program at LSUS in 2016.

“I asked the doctor if he was joking,” Gantt said. “The first thing I thought was that I can’t do this again.

“Why is this happening to me? I’m so young. But after those waves of emotion, then came the strength, the resilience and the courage. Ok, I have to go through it again, I have to beat it again. There is a purpose and a reason – there’s a testimony at the end.”

Read more in the comment section 👇🏽👇🏽👇🏽👇🏽

The MPH program recently attended the Northwestern University Spring Career Fair to recruit for potential MPPH students in Natchitoches, LA.

Our Program Director Spotlight for the month is Michael Becerra, PhD, LPC-S, CRC 👏 👏

Join us as we go on this exciting exposé on his journey so far here at LSUS and beyond.
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Q: Tell us about yourself.
R: Hello, I’m Dr. Michael Becerra, and I am an assistant professor and the interim program director for the counseling program in the Department of Psychology. I chose to become a counselor because I felt a strong calling to advocate for the underrepresented and to help people navigate important life transitions. I think of myself as a generalist counselor educator with a background in vocational rehabilitation, clinical mental health, family systems, and school counseling. My experience involves working as a bilingual counselor within the youth and family centers of the Dallas Independent School System; as an in-home therapist with at-risk kids and their families in New Jersey, and as a vocational rehabilitation counselor with state vocational rehabilitation agencies in Pennsylvania and Texas. I have also been fortunate to have had international experience teaching and conducting psychology research in Colombia; maintaining an active license and practice in professional counseling and supervision in Louisiana, Georgia, and New Jersey; as well as certifications in rehabilitation counseling and basic cannabinoid medicine.

Q: What would you say are your noteworthy achievements or projects?
R: Currently, my professional interests and publications are on technology use in counseling; men’s roles and wellness; entrepreneurship and amateur documentary filmmaking, Latino family influence on psychology students in training; school-to-workforce and post-secondary transition; and medical cannabis in counseling. I serve the local community by providing pro-bono bilingual counseling services at the MLK Health Center and by providing training on mental health through LSU Ag Center’s community education grant for men’s health initiatives. I am also a vocational expert with the Social Security Administration’s disability hearings as well as a member of the Louisiana Counseling Association.

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The March GSA monthly meeting is just around the corner on March 5th at 4 pm CST in the UC Student Organization Lounge (UC 223) and via Zoom.

If you plan to attend the meeting, please be sure to RSVP with the following link: https://forms.gle/jT4yapQzWZ7DNNcG8

At this meeting, we will be holding a leadership discussion with different student leaders both on and off campus! We will be holding elections for our Executive Board positions in our April 17th meeting! For anyone interested, please submit your CV and a letter of intent (this is just an explanation of why you are interested in a particular position) to [email protected]! The deadline to apply is March 6th, just a day after our March meeting!

WELCOME 🥳 👏

We are proud to announce Demitrius Brown as the new Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs.

In this newly created role, Brown will report directly to Chancellor Robert T. Smith, serving as part of the senior administrative team.

The vice chancellor will provide leadership and oversight for the newly formed Division of Student Affairs, with overall responsibility for Recruitment, Admissions, Financial Aid, Student Life, Career Services, Student Success, Title IX, Veterans Support, Housing, Counseling, Institutional Research, Scholarships, Continuing Education, Events and Community Initiatives.

Read more at https://www.lsus.edu/lsus-announces-demitrius-brown-as-new-vice-chancellor-of-student-affairs

SHREVEPORT – Colleges across the nation are facing strong headwinds from falling enrollment to decreasing resources as many institutions navigate through the post COVID-19 pandemic era.

But LSUS chancellor Dr. Robert Smith shared a simple message Wednesday at the annual Kemp Forum, which serves as the “state of the university” address.

LSUS is growing – and fast.

While spring enrollment numbers aren’t finalized, LSUS expects its enrollment to cross the 10,000 mark for the first time in school history.

The school’s Fall 2023 enrollment increased 12 percent year-over-year to 9,736.

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Students are invited to attend a free screening of award-winning military documentary “No Greater Love” on Thursday from 6-9 p.m.

The screening, which will include a lecture and discussion by filmmaker Justin Roberts, requires an RSVP to attend as space is limited in the University Center Theatre.

Roberts, a former U.S. Army Chaplain, brought a camera along to capture events from the “No Slack” Battalion, 101st Airborne Division during his tour in Afghanistan.

Roberts didn’t film with the intent of making a documentary, but he wanted regular American citizens to get an unparalleled view into soldiers’ lives from someone who was part of the military.

For more information on the documentary and Roberts himself, read further on www.lsus.edu

LSU Shreveport will be offering PILOT DINING DOLLARS this Fall!

What are Pilot Dining Dollars?
Pilot Dining Dollars is a sales tax-exempt, financial aid eligible meal option available to all LSUS students beginning Fall 2024. These Dining Dollars can be used at the Port Grille, Stacks Coffee Shop and in the vending machines.

For more information on Pilot Dining Dollars, visit lsus.edu/pilotdiningdollars. Questions can be submitted to [email protected].

Regional Career Fair 2024

GRADUATE STUDENTS ASSOCIATION: February Meeting

The February GSA monthly meeting will hold on February 16th at 11 am CST in the UC Student Organization Lounge (UC 223) and via Zoom. If you plan to attend the meeting, please be sure to RSVP with the link sent to your student email.

The Continuing Education department will be speaking this month about their resources and opportunities for everyone!

Reminder 📣📣📣📣

Happening this weekend! 🥳

Meet Alexis Bradley 👏 an LSUS Alumni, when Alexis Bradley enrolled in the master’s of educational leadership program at LSU Shreveport, her goal was to become a principal after graduation.

Bradley got that call early, assuming the lead position at Academy Charter Middle School where she currently worked, before she even walked across the graduation stage this December.

So Bradley juggled her first year of being a principal in August with the final semester of graduate school, roles in which she excelled simultaneously.

“My success in the classroom was great, but I wanted to have a bigger impact,” said Bradley, who assumed leadership over the middle school this August. “I knew I wanted to be a trailblazer in leading staff and scholars to excellence.

“I have a great cabinet team that works with me to make sure our directives and vision are carried out daily.”

A balancing act ensued as the “super-organized early riser” Bradley often worked from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in her principal role while making time for coursework before and after school.

But doing both at the same time also allowed her to implement learning strategies as she was studying in the program.

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Please be informed.

🚫 Due to the weather and road closures, LSUS will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday. While the campus is closed, all face-to-face classes and campus activities are cancelled, but online courses will continue as usual.