AA July Email Newsletter

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION JULY 2021
NEWSLETTER

Connecting the past, present, and future
 for a stronger LSUS

IN THIS ISSUE Cody King, BS '14

DR. GRACE NICKELS Financial Advisor
JULY 2021 FEATURED ALUMNA
ON CAMPUS Cardinaux Wealth Advisors

July 2021 Featured Alumnus

AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT
2021 CIRCLE OF EXCELLENCE
HONOREES GRANT SUMMER,
J.D., AND DR. CANDICE WEBERT

LSUS INSTITUTE FOR
NONPROFIT ADMINISTRATION
AND RESEARCH INTRODUCES
NEW MSPNA DIRECTOR

DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL
SCIENCES AT LSUS WELCOMES
NEW CHAIR

PILOTS FINISH BANNER YEAR
WITH ACADEMIC SUCCESS

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION JULY 2021
NEWSLETTER

Cody King, BS '14, is a Financial Advisor at
Cardinaux Wealth Advisors, a private wealth
advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial, Inc.
He helps clients achieve their individual and
life goals through personalized financial
advice. Cody began his career at Cardinaux
Wealth Advisors as an intern his junior year of
college. The company posted the internship
on the LSUS job board, which was how he
learned about the opportunity and ultimately
applied.

After graduating from Northwood High School in 2010, Cody was not certain where he
wanted to attend college. At Freshman Orientation at another university, he realized how
important being close to home was for him. Fortunately, his scholarship opportunities were
still available at LSUS, making his decision to stay home an even easier one. Early in his
college career, he participated on the LSUS Debate Team, which helped give him confidence
and develop his public speaking skills that he uses to this day. Cody also said, "Helping re-
charter Tau Kappa Epsilon at LSUS provided the opportunity for lifelong relationships I value
immensely. My involvement in the Student Government Association sharpened my
leadership skills and lent insight to the inner workings of our university. As a Freshman
Orientation Leader for LSUS, I cherished becoming an advocate for a university that means
so much to me".

When asked what LSUS faculty helped him the most, Cody said, "My debate coach, Trey
Gibson, helped instill confidence in me as a speaker and taught me how to become familiar
with the unfamiliar. Each and every one of my finance and economic professors played a
tremendous role in ultimately pointing me towards the career path I am fortunate enough to
have today. When I first attended LSUS, I was a Political Science major, then became a
Communications major, then a General Business major, and then ultimately a Financial
Analysis major. My professors guided me along this winding path." LSUS helped him succeed
by bringing him out of his shell and exposing him to a career he would have never considered
had he gone anywhere else. The personalized relationships with the administration and staff
were vital.

Cody had some advice for someone who wants to enter into his field; he said, "College can
help teach you how to learn. However, learning does not end with college. Consider self-
learning for the remainder of your life."

Cody also shared some of the personal and professional challenges that he has faced. His
toughest personal challenge has been being so focused on the future that it can be tempting
to miss the present. And the professional challenge that he has struggled with the most is
patience. He tries to remember that some things just take time.

Some of Cody's career designations include MS, MPAS, CFP®, CRPC®, BFA™.

Cody truly reflects what it means to be an ANCHORED ALUM.

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION JULY 2021
NEWSLETTER
Dr. Grace Nickels

EdD '21, MBA '09, BS '06

Director of Student Advocacy
& Accountability
Title IX Coordinator

July Featured Alumna on Campus

Dr. Grace Nickels was born and raised in
Shreveport, Louisiana, and graduated from
Caddo Magnet High School. She was initially
excited about leaving home to attend college;
however, she found it difficult to find her place
at a large university once she got there.
Therefore, she transferred to LSU Shreveport in
fall 2003 to begin her sophomore year as a
marketing major.

The small class sizes and welcoming atmosphere made LSU Shreveport feel like home. She felt like more
than just a number because her academic advisor, Dr. Karen James, knew her name in and out of the
classroom. She was in the Student Success Series, which encouraged her to become involved in student
activities, career services, and the mentorship program. LSU Shreveport prepared her to launch into a
marketing career!

Grace began her career as a coordinator in Student Affairs after graduating with her Bachelor’s degree in
2006. In 2009, Grace completed her Masters of Business Administration while working in Student Affairs.
In 2012, she received a promotion to oversee student conduct administration as the Director of Judicial
Affairs. She was still settling into her position when it was announced that LSU Shreveport was approved
to offer a doctoral program. At the time, she did not have aspirations to earn a doctorate; however, her
former supervisor and mentor, Dr. Randy Butterbaugh, advised her that a terminal degree was necessary
to advance in the Student Affairs field. He said he wanted to see her name on the list of applicants, which
was the push she needed to apply to the program. Grace was accepted into the inaugural doctoral cohort
in spring 2014.

After seven and a half years, three dissertation topics, two committee chairs, and a pandemic, Grace
graduated from the doctoral program in spring 2021. The completion of the program was possible because
of the support and guidance she received from program faculty, including Dr. Iris Johnson and Dr. Sanjay
Menon, and her dissertation committee members, Dr. Gary Joiner, Dr. Ozlem Gumus, and Dr. John
Harrison (committee chair). She also acknowledges her current supervisor, Dr. Paula Atkins, for providing
motivation during the doctoral journey and allowing her to take the occasional study day off from work.

Grace currently serves as the Director of Student Advocacy and Accountability and Title IX Coordinator at
LSU Shreveport, a title added in 2015. She is responsible for developing and implementing a
comprehensive program to ensure that members of the LSU Shreveport community have an environment
free of sexual misconduct to learn and work. She coordinates training, directs educational activities and
presentations, implements policy changes, participates in a task force created to recommend
improvements in the campus response, and administers surveys to track the campus climate. Her work in
the prevention of campus sexual violence is one of her greatest professional achievements.

Dr. Grace Nickels, a recent Ed.D. graduate, is an integral part of the LSUS family and a fantastic
representation of an ANCHORED ALUMNI.

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION SEPTEMBER 2020 | ISSUE 2 JULY 2021
NEWSLETTER

GRANT SUMMERS, J.D.

Attorney, Davidson Summers, APLC
Bachelor of Science 1992

2021

CIRCLE OF
EXCELLENCE

HONOREE

Grant has extensive experience in property law, probate and estate planning, oil and
gas law, business transactions, commercial lending, business litigation, commercial
bankruptcy, and business organization. Grant has also worked on drafting and
negotiating agreements for alternative energy resources, including leases for
geothermal, solar, and wind energy production. He has also performed services in
the field of carbon sequestration, including review and consideration of applicable
property laws and regulatory frameworks.

Shreveport, Louisiana State and American Bar Associations (1996 to present)
Harry V. Booth Inn of Court, Barrister (2001-2007), Associate (1997-1999)
Supreme Court of the State of Louisiana, Committee on Bar Admissions, Assistant
Examiner (2006 – 2014)
Member, Louisiana Law Review (1994-1995)
Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge (J.D., 1995)

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION SEPTEMBER 2020 | ISSUE 2 JULY 2021
NEWSLETTER

DR. CANDICE WEBERT

Assistant Principal, Youree Drive Middle School
Master of Education 2007

2021

CIRCLE OF
EXCELLENCE

HONOREE

Dr. Candice Webert, Master of Education in Administration '07, is the Assistant
Principal of Instruction at Youree Drive Middle School. She provides resources and
guidance to teachers and students to support teaching and learning. Dr. Webert
evaluates teachers and staff on best instructional practices and assists with overall
management and school operations.

Career path started at Broadmoor Middle School Lab in 2005
Received her Bachelor and Doctorate from Louisiana Tech University
Outstanding Social Studies Teacher of the Year (Caddo Parish) 2008-2009
YPI 40 Under 40 Class of 2019

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION SEPTEMBER 2020 | ISSUE 2 JULY 2021
NEWSLETTER

22nd Annual Pilots Golf Classic

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION SEPTEMBER 2020 | ISSUE 2 JULY 2021
NEWSLETTER

LSUS Alumni Association
aNNUAL aWARDS bANQUET

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION SEPTEMBER 2020 | ISSUE 2 JULY 2021
NEWSLETTER

LSUS INSTITUTE FOR NONPROFIT ADMINISTRATION AND RESEARCH
INTRODUCES NEW MSPNA DIRECTOR

The LSUS Institute for Nonprofit Administration & Research is pleased to announce Dr. Heather Carpenter as the
new Director for the Master of Science in Nonprofit Administration (MSPNA) program. The MSNPA program is a
professional development degree for middle and upper-level administration in nonprofit organizations. Dr.
Carpenter brings a wealth of nonprofit administration education experience to help build upon this growing, 100%
online program.

Dr. Carpenter embraces building and managing nonprofit academic programs, hiring and managing an equitable
talent pool of professors, and establishing high-impact learning experiences for students. Her expertise is creating
community-centered programs, which includes developing course learning outcomes and assessments that meet
credit-hour and accreditation requirements.

Previously serving as Director of Nonprofit and Philanthropy Programs at Notre Dame of Maryland University
(NDMU), Dr. Carpenter aligned degree programs to Nonprofit Academic Centers Council (NACC) curricular
guidelines and created a post-baccalaureate and master's degree in philanthropy.

Before Notre Dame, she served as Assistant Professor in the School of Public, Nonprofit, and Health Administration
at Grand Valley State University, where she developed and taught courses in a new Master in Philanthropy and
Nonprofit Leadership degree program and also created and implemented a marketing and social media plan that
enhanced the visibility of the department and it's academic programs.

Dr. Carpenter has taught over 70 in-person, hybrid, and online courses in the subject areas of nonprofit
administration and leadership. She earned her Ph.D. in Leadership Studies, specializing in Nonprofit and
Philanthropic Leadership, from the University of San Diego. Her Master of Management in Nonprofit
Administration is from North Park University, and her Bachelor of Business Administration is from San Diego State
University. She is also a Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP) from the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance.

Before pursuing her Ph.D., Dr. Carpenter oversaw the operations of several nonprofit organizations in California
and Illinois and ran a popular blog focused on nonprofit operations.

She is the co-author of the following books: Nonprofit Crisis Management: Response to COVID-19 and The Talent
Development Platform: Putting People First in Social Change Organizations. She is also co-editor of the Teaching
Nonprofit Management textbook and has published articles on talent management, experiential education,
nonprofit and philanthropic studies, and nonprofit leadership.

Dr. Carpenter currently serves as Associate Editor of Case Studies for the Journal of Nonprofit Education and
Leadership, Board Treasurer for the Nonprofit Academic Centers Council, "an international membership
association comprised of academic centers or programs at accredited colleges and universities that focus on the
study of nonprofit/nongovernmental organizations, voluntary action, and/or philanthropy" and she served on the
task force to launch NACC accreditation for stand-alone nonprofit academic programs. She also serves as a Leap
Ambassador, a national community of leaders who believe performance matters and provides a social-sector
excellence framework.

Her husband is a commercial pilot for Spirit Airlines, and they have a nine-year-old daughter.

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION SEPTEMBER 2020 | ISSUE 2 JULY 2021
NEWSLETTER

DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES AT LSUS WELCOMES NEW CHAIR

Dr. Santosh D'Mello (Ph.D. University of Pittsburgh, M.S. University of Bombay, India) will bring a wealth of
experience to Louisiana State University Shreveport when he takes up his appointment as Chair of Biological
Sciences in August 2021. Dr. D'Mello has held postdoctoral positions at the Boston University Medical Center and
the Institute of Neurobiology, Rome, Italy; has taught Biology at all levels from freshmen to doctoral students; and
has published over seventy primary reports stemming from his dynamic research into neurodegenerative disease.
In addition, he is an editorial board member for several prominent scientific journals and has served on the review
panels of federal and private agencies that fund scientific research.

In addition to his notable academic credentials, Dr. D'Mello is the Founder and current CEO of Neugeneron LLC, a
biotech company established to develop novel therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases and glioblastoma. The
company is conducting preclinical testing of two therapies: HSB-13, which targets Alzheimer's and Huntington's,
and NGN-006, which targets glioblastoma, a highly aggressive form of brain cancer for which there is currently
no cure. NGN-006 works by attacking proteins known as STK17A or DRAK1 within glioblastoma cells. Based on
findings from other laboratories that STK17A/DRAK1 is an important player in the development of glioblastoma,
Dr. D'Mello's company expects that NGN-006 will be far more effective than existing therapies. However, as he
points out, determining the level of those therapeutic benefits "requires additional research and investments."

As the incoming Biology Chair at LSUS, Dr. D'Mello is impressed by the dedication of the faculty to the core
educational mission of the university. He sees tremendous potential for LSUS to grow over the coming decade
and is excited to be part of that growth. Beyond supporting faculty in their teaching mission, he plans to
encourage faculty research and promote research opportunities for undergraduate students. With a track record
of research grants totaling $14 million, he is well situated to help faculty members secure internal and external
funding.

He is enthusiastic about the range of research already conducted within the department.

"A great strength of the Biology Department is its high-quality and highly-significant research in the fields of
ecology, plant biology, and environmental biology. I am [also] excited about the education and research being
conducted at the Red River Watershed Management Institute. Environmental sciences are incredibly important,
especially given the problem of pollution and changing climate patterns that will affect many of the students
currently attending and in the future. This is an important strength of this department which sets it apart from
many other biology departments with a more narrow focus."

To this already broad range of expertise within the Biology Department, he plans to develop a concentration in
Neuroscience.

"The brain has fascinated people for centuries," he explains. "With the increasing prevalence and awareness of
disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, autism, schizophrenia, and epilepsy, students have
developed a great interest in knowing how the brain works and exactly why debilitating and often fatal disorders
are caused by brain dysfunction."

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION SEPTEMBER 2020 | ISSUE 2 JULY 2021
NEWSLETTER

ALYSIA CANNON, LSUS ALUMNA, COMPETING FOR MISS LOUISIANA
CROWN, THANKS CAMPUS PAGEANT AND SUPPORT

Alysia Cannon, a two-time LSUS graduate, competed for the Miss Louisiana 2021
crown on June 19 at the Monroe Civic Center. Competing as Miss Spirit of the Red,
Cannon's journey through pageantry began after winning the 2018 LSUS Miss Black
and Gold crown.

Looking for a new adventure on campus, Cannon took a leap of faith competing in the
Miss Black and Gold pageant sponsored by the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. She credits
the crown and her being selected Homecoming Queen in 2020 for leading her to Miss
Louisiana.

"LSUS helped get me to this point by providing opportunities to serve as a queen on
campus," Cannon said. "Media and PR staff such as the Director of Media and External
Affairs, Wendell Riley, always requested my appearance at events, small or large. The
exposure to speaking events and leadership I obtained at LSUS made my journey to
Miss Louisiana possible."

Cannon earned a Bachelor of Science in Cellular and Molecular Biology in 2020 and a
Master of Biological Sciences in Public Health in 2021. With aspirations to earn a Ph.D.
and become a veterinary surgeon, she served as a member and leader in multiple
student organizations, including Minority Association of Pre-Health Professionals
(MAPS), Phi Mu Fraternity, New Student Orientation, and the Pre-Vet Club. Her
philanthropy as Miss Spirit of the Red focuses on the impact of STEAM (Science,
Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics).

"My social impact initiative is the amplification of STEAM to discover the King/Queen
within," Cannon said. "I introduce the nine types of intelligence and the ways others
can discover their personal gifts to thrive. Knowing your type of intelligence and the
gift you hold helps to determine your best career path, effective ways to study, how to
cope with your emotions, and much more! My goal is to continue sharing tools to help
individuals discover personal types of intelligence and gifts to promote everyone to
love who they see in the mirror."

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION SEPTEMBER 2020 | ISSUE 2 JULY 2021
NEWSLETTER

PILOTS FINISH BANNER YEAR WITH ACADEMIC SUCCESS

The challenges of Covid-19 could have been an easy excuse for the student-athletes of LSUS, but they
didn't let that phase them. A year where the Pilots raised seven banners, including an Opening Round
Championship in Baseball that sent the team to the World Series for the first time since 2012, LSUS
also delivered in the classroom. Following up on a record-setting Fall, the Pilots added their third
consecutive semester over a 3.0 GPA.

More than half the teams finished the semester and the academic year with over a 3.0 GPA. Women's
Soccer led the way with a 3.41 team GPA, followed by Men's Soccer with a 3.28, and close behind them
was Women's Tennis with a 3.12.

Individually it was no different; 77 of the 120 student-athletes finished with over a 3.0 GPA, which was
good for 64% of all student-athletes. Even more impressive was the 18 that completed the Spring
semester with a 4.0 GPA. The dual-threat of success in competition and the classroom certainly
makes LSUS a special place to attend school.

Baseball Men's Soccer Women's Soccer Men's Basketball
Jeff Boyd
Austin Breazeale James Averies Sofia Ahlstedt
Ross Capone Kelvin Henry Jr.
Gledi Doda Keaton Arcement
Hunter Cunningham Women's Basketball
Julian Flores Adam Gonzalez Livia Baettig Kiasyia Morrison
Kylee Sander
Josh Fortenberry Futo Kubo Sara Calzada De'Azhia Smith
Harrison Gaiennie Britney Thompson
Simone Libreri Alyssa Castillo
Mike Hampton Women's Tennis
Trevor Henry Daniel Maierhofler Carolta De Blas Alcalde Ali Andersen
Zeke Maldonado
Austin McNicholas Eial Marzouk Gabriela de Jesus Carmen Perez-Gonzalez
Kevin Miranda Maria Perez-Gonzalez
Miguel Morgan Andres Mendozo Aguilar Aimee Dilworth
Josiah Ortiz
Luisdiego Quintana Adam Morris Melissa Escalante

Trey Rugg Scott Neil Alexis Hobbs
Colton Sellers
Sebastian Selway Louis Owens Makenzie McClure
Trent Sholders
Victor Silverio Jair Palomino Kirsten Nolan
Chase Spatafora
Parker Stevens Ayrton Redmore Rileigh Norred
Ryan Sturgeon
Austin Tambellini Antonio Rentaria Gabriela Roa
Jacob Vesecky
Josh Wunnenberg Matt Roberts Madison Salas

Jake Strachan Charlotte Schmidt

Christian Tinnion Livia Schneider

Yoran Van Houdt Brittany Scott

Liam Vivian Ryleigh Smith

Marten Weinitschke Dawniella Torres

Nallely Vargas

Joana Villanova

Jada Williams

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION SEPTEMBER 2020 | ISSUE 2 JULY 2021
NEWSLETTER

Super Sitters will be held at the Willis Knighton SUPER SITTERS IS BACK
Innovation Center, 2105 Airline Drive, Bossier City,
LA 71111. LSUS and Willis Knighton Medical Center
have partnered together to bring you a great
course to prepare your child to be the best
babysitter in town. The course covers the
topics of Babysitting 101, First Aid Basics,
Family & Friends CPR, diapering and feeding
demonstrations, and much more. The
participants receive a goodie bag with
activities and information that can help them
prepare for their next babysitting job. In
addition, participants will receive Babysitting
and Family & Friends CPR certificates and a
Babysitters Training Handbook from the
American Red Cross. Lunch will be provided.
The minimum age to attend is 11 years old.

LIFE, HEALTH, AND ACCIDENT INSURANCE

Individuals must complete a Louisiana Pre-licensing
course of study for the lines of authority desired
before taking any examination. Most people need
this course curriculum to pass the comprehensive
and challenging Louisiana State Examination. The
pre-licensing course must consist of (40) classroom
hours per line of authority, or equivalent individual
instruction, on the general principles of insurance
for that line of authority. This insurance pre-
licensing course will explore the general principles of
insurance and the specifics of Life, Health, and
Accident Insurance. Our courses have been
accredited by the Louisiana Department of Insurance
and have earned one of the highest pass ratios
throughout the entire State of Louisiana. Upon
completing the course, the candidate will be
presented with a 40-hour certificate required to take
the final State Exam.

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION SEPTEMBER 2020 | ISSUE 2 JULY 2021
NEWSLETTER