McNEESE STATE UNIVERSITY
McNeese State University was established by the Louisiana Legislature in 1938 and opened its doors for the first fall session on September 11, 1939, with 140 students and just three buildings. Originally named Lake Charles Junior College, it operated as a division of Louisiana State University. The following year, the institution was renamed John McNeese Junior College in honor of John McNeese, a renowned Southwest Louisiana educator and the first superintendent of schools in Imperial Calcasieu Parish.
In 1950, McNeese became a four-year institution under the authority of the Louisiana Board of Education, and in 1954 it earned accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The institution officially became McNeese State University in 1970.
Located in Lake Charles, Louisiana, McNeese includes a 122-acre main campus; the 65-acre Doland Athletics Complex, home to the state-of-the-art Townsley Law Arena; the Southwest Louisiana Entrepreneurial and Economic Development Center; the Center for Advancement of Meat Production and Processing; KBYS 88.3 FM Radio Station; and three working farms encompassing more than 1,200 acres dedicated to research, farming, and ranching. The main campus features more than 50 buildings, including its three original structures—Kaufman Hall, Ralph O. Ward Memorial Gym (the Arena), and Francis G. Bulber Auditorium, a striking example of Art Deco architecture listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
For over eight decades, McNeese has been recognized as one of the finest regional universities in the South. It is a dynamic, student-centered institution, welcoming students from across Louisiana, the nation, and more than 50 countries.
I am a McNeese graduate with a bachelor's degree in Family and Consumer Science and a concentration in Child and Family Studies. As a student, I competed on the rodeo team and served on the SGA board. I earned my master’s degree in 2022 from the University of South Dakota in Educational Administration and Leadership with a concentration in Adult and Higher Ed. I have over 13 years of experience in adult education and 20 years of educational experience.
My favorite part of being a Freshman Advisor is helping students navigate their new life routine as a college freshman by offering support with in-person office visits or by email to help students meet their goals. I always remind students of my favorite BB King quote – “Education is one thing no one can ever take away from you.” I believe that supporting students is vital to a student's success.
In my spare time, I raise registered American Brahman cattle, and I enjoy all the "country girl" things like hunting, fishing, growing a garden and cooking.