DSBS
X A V I E R
U N I V E R S I T Y
O F
L O U I S I A N A
DIVISION OF SOCIAL & BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES//SPRING 2016
FROM THE VOLLEYBALL
COURT TO THE
SUPREME COURT
Political Science Senior scores
big on and off the court
Formula
for
Student
Success
A look inside DSBS initiatives that will propel
students to reach their full potential
PLUS
New Mass Comm:
Dr. Tia Smith
Fourteen
Under Forty :
DSBS Alumni
#SayNOLA
CONTENTS
The Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Xavier
University of Louisiana is comprised of six degree programs
including Communication Studies, Mass Communication,
Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, and Speech Pathology.
DIVISION OF SOCIAL & BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES NEWSLETTER
03 JODI HILL: STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Nearing the end of her journey at XULA, student athlete
Jodi Hill answers our questions about her experience on
the court, in the classroom, and in the real world.
6 FOCUS ON STUDENT SUCCESS
An inside look at several initiatives to promote student
success.
5
9 FOURTEEN UNDER FORTY
Meet the DSBS Class of 2015 from this year's
40 Under 40 awards.
10 MEET & GREET
Get to know DSBS' newest faculty members.
11 NOTES FROM AROUND THE DIVISION
Learn more about the latest accomplishments of our faculty,
staff & students.
4
8
JUVENILE IN JUSTICE
#SAYNOLA
DSBS faculty and students
help bring awareness to
juvenile social justice
issues in New Orleans.
Honors Public Speaking
students collaborate with
area high school students
for a community event at
St. Augustine High School.
909 S. JEFFERSON DAVIS PKWY
NEW ORLEANS. LOUISIANA 70125
DSBS@XULA.EDU
WWW.XULA.EDU/DSBS
Staff
Editor-in-Chief, Design & Layout, Copywriter Shandrell Briscoe
Contributors Dr. Amy Bellone-Hite & Dr. Lisa Flanagan
02
Get Social
@xuladsbs
SPRING 2016 | VOLUME 03
NEW MASS COMM
SPRING 2016
JODI
HILL
1
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Outstanding student and decorated
athlete all describe Political
Science senior, Jodi Hill. Whether
it's on the court making kills for
the Gold Nuggets volleyball team
or in the courtroom as an intern
with the Louisiana Supreme Court,
Hill is destined to be a champion.
WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO MAJOR
IN POLITICAL SCIENCE AT XU?
In grade school, I increasingly became incredibly passionate
about the study of domestic and international politics. The study
of politics yields important findings about the effectiveness of
the legal and governmental institutions that dictate our life
chances. I decided to be a political science major because I
wanted to first learn the methodology of studying political issues
and then apply it.
As a political science major, I have facilitated quantitative
research on the global climate of women's education and
healthcare policies in Europe. Foremost, my selfless professors
have challenged me to pair academia with a purpose to advance
social justice. Xavier has solidified my interest in entering the
legal field as a juvenile lawyer and an advocate for children's
rights as civilians and as incarcerated minors.
2
HOW HAS YOUR EXPERIENCE AT
XAVIER SHAPED YOU INTO THE
PERSON THAT YOU ARE TODAY?
4
Today, I value community, solidarity, advocacy, empathy, mentorship,
perseverance, honesty, and I always stand up against unjustified
marginalization. Xavier has cultivated these values in me. Xavier has led me
to summer programs in Chicago and internships in the nonprofit and
forprofit sector in New Orleans and Dallas. My incredible experience at
Xavier has prepared me for the professional world and public life. Xavier has
displayed to me that we stand on the backs of all who came before us. As a
woman of color, Xavier has shifted my mindset to always remember that we
stand on the backs of all who made immense sacrifices for the future of
sustainable education. I am eternally grateful.
3
TELL US ABOUT HOW IT IS TO
MANAGE BEING A STUDENT,
COLLEGIATE ATHLETE AND
PARTICIPATE IN CLUBS AND
TO GROUPS ON CAMPUS.
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS
AFTER GRADUATION?
After college, I plan to enter into public service
fellowships and then law school. I presently work as a
student worker for the Louisiana Supreme Court and
have excellent mentors who provide me with
substantive legal work and knowledge and endless
advice.
5
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO
DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME?
I enjoy running, binge watching all television shows
in Shondaland, reading, and attending live concerts.
6
WHAT IS SOME ADVICE YOU
WOULD GIVE TO A NEW
XAVIER STUDENT?
Future Xavierites, remain grateful for the opportunity to
earn a degree at a premier institution filled with
dedicated professors, administrators, and staff. From
the president to the selfless custodians who care for this
university, Xavier is a family and you should take full
advantage of this unique college dynamic. Study hard, get
to know your peers, and remember that we are not only
called to pursue a field but to use this field to contribute
to social justice domestically and abroad.
Xavier is an oasis of opportunities, so long as students take
full advantage of them. I have been the president of the pre
law club, a member of the public policy club, a four-year
volleyball player, a member of the Gender Equity Club, and
became a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. in
the fall of 2015. My involvement in these activities has been
rewarding. Yes, I have lost a lot of sleep but I have truly
enjoyed my time.
3
"It’s ea
sy to
get in t
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system
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get
out of i
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-D.T., a
ge 16
JUVENILE IN
JUSTICE
Photo by Richard Ross
"Would you like to partner with us?" This call to
action sent in an email from the Louisiana Center
for Children's Rights (LCCR) to Political Science
department head Dr. Pamela Waldron-Moore
became a catalyst for a DSBS social justice
initiative and event. "Xavier has always stood for
social justice so we thought that it would be a good
fit to sponsor a special night for DSBS students to
view the [Juvenile in Justice] exhibit," WaldronMoore said.
According to juvenile-in-justice.com, Juvenile In
Justice is a project to "document the placement
and treatment of American juveniles housed by
law in facilities that treat, confine, punish, assist
and, occasionally, harm them." Created by
professor and photographer Richard Ross, the
exhibit has been on tour across the country and
made a month-long stop in New Orleans at the
Myrtle Banks Building. The evening included: an
introduction of the exhibit by Monica Smith (PSCI
'04), Staff Attorney, LCCR; a talk about the
relevance of the exhibit to the social sciences by
Sociology professor Dr. Le'Brian Patrick; a
keynote address by Todd Juluke, a selfdescribed ex-thug, social activist, & scholar;
and an opportunity for faculty, staff, and
students to view the photographic works of
Richard Ross. The evening also included a
short video entitled, "Justice?" that was
produced, directed and filmed by several
Mass Communication students including
Freshman Jaleese Johnson, Director; Senior
Emoni Harvey, Camera; Saleemah
Muhammad, Writer; Sophomore Darcie
Ortique , Talent and Freshman Mizani Ball,
Dancer.
During the exhibition, participants were
given the opportunity to sign a petition to
remove all juveniles from Orleans Parish
Prison, where children are not receiving
proper treatment and rehabilitation. The
petition was ultimately submitted to the
New Orleans City Council on the steps of
city hall. The mayor accepted the petition
and is taking steps to answer the demands
to better serve New Orleans area juveniles
in the justice system.
4
Close to 100 attendees experienced the exhibit
and many students voiced their enthusiasm for
this event and others like it.
"They were really excited about being involved in
events like this. It really created a sense of
accomplishment that they created change and
made a difference. That's what Xavier's mission is
all about- Connecting the notion of promoting a
just and more humane society," said WaldronMoore.
Students listen to speaker,
Monica Smith '04 during
DSBS' Night at the Juvenile
In Justice Exhibit.
NEW
MASS
COMM
Semester in
Review
Jalissa Latson and Janell Craig filmed
various events during homecoming. Part
of the footage will be featured in Firefly
Film and will air on PBS.
Introduction to Mass Communication
students are involved with writing and
production opportunities on and off
campus. Topics include: Juveniles for
Justice short video; Homelessness in New
Orleans; and Gender and Transitioning at
a Catholic HBCU.
Smith added, “We are trying to show the
benefits of both strategic communication
and broadcast and how they work
together in convergence in multi-media.
Students need to know everything in
order to be marketable (in the job
market)."
Dr. Tia Smith is certainly a woman on the
move. Her slight Caribbean accent gives
you an immediate clue to where some of
her footsteps have taken her. Those same
footsteps have led her to the newest part
of her journey at Xavier.
New Faces, New Energy,
New Mass Comm
When Smith was named the new Mass
Communication department head in
2015, she has breathed new energy and
excitement into the program. “When I
arrived, I met excited students ready to
enter the field but needed a little more
direction and understanding of what the
various opportunities are –beyond the
traditional opportunities of media,” Smith
said.
As a theme for the first Mass
Communication majors meeting, Dr.
Smith chose the theme, "New Faces, New
Energy, New Mass Comm." She wanted to
send a clear message that the
department was heading in a new
direction. Newly appointed University
President Dr. C. Reynold Verret's asked
faculty and staff to think about the type
of graduate we want to produce at Xavier
This sentiment was used as the
cornerstone for the Mass Communication
department's strategic plan. "We didn't
only look reflectively, but we looked into
the media industry; we took a survey of
the trends, behaviors, knowledge, abilities
and skills needed by current media
industry professionals and graduate
students, " said Smith. Smith's vision for
the department is to create a holistic
multi-media professional and someone
that can brand themselves as a do-ityourself entrepreneur.
Three pillars that the new mass
communication department will focus on
include: Entrepreneurship, Research, and
Diversity. The faculty bring their
strengths to each of these pillars and will
use their abilities to create multi-media
professionals by using a holistic approach
to media education.
Students in the Intermediate News
Writing Course published over eighty
stories that covered the City of New
Orleans this falll through a collaboration
with professional news publications. The
class reported for and were published in:
New Orleans City Business, The Louisiana
Weekly, The New Orleans Tribune, Data
News Weekly and BreakThru
Magazine. Five of the student's stories
made the front page for The Louisiana
Weekly and were republished in
newspapers across the nation that
subscribe to the same wire service.
Partnerships
Smith believes that collaboration is
essential to creating opportunities for
Mass Communication majors. “I’m calling
every media professional in town to let
people know that I have arrived and how
we can collaborate on projects and
strengthen relationships that we already
have." One of those projects include an
exciting partnership with NBC-affiliate
WDSU-TV in New Orleans. In a
conversation that started as an invitation
for students to attend a one-day media
workshop has blossomed into a
partnership that will allow several
students to take part in the entire process
of creating a documentary that will air on
the network. "The faculty here already
have relationships and I want to make
sure we continue in that vein and create
more opportunities that can turn into
residual partnerships."
Justin Grier mans the control room
during an XULA sporting event.
Colleagues that care
In the months that have passed, Smith
has enjoyed getting to know her students
but also all of her colleagues in her
department and even across the division.
She praised how she felt welcomed by
everyone. "I've become fast friends with
Psychology's Dr. Brian Turner. He's shown
me the whole city and has gotten me
acclimated to all things New Orleans.
Those small things make my experience
more pleasant and I appreciate that" said
Smith.
5
PR students pose for a photo
at a PRSSA Conference.
5
Formula for Student Success
Undergraduate Research Key to
strong DSBS Graduate School Pipeline
Xavier has a longstanding tradition of
sending graduates in Speech Pathology,
Psychology, Sociology and Political
Science on to graduate and professional
schools. In addition to traditional
disciplines, DSBS graduates earn doctoral,
masters or professional degrees in fields
such as law, public policy, education,
public health, counseling, criminal justice,
and social work.
Depending on their major, up to twothirds of our alumni earn an additional
degree within five years of graduation.
What often sets Xavier students apart is
the research training and experience they
gain as undergraduates. This success is
due to four unique aspects of a DSBS
education: advising, curricula,
undergraduate research mentorship, and
Xavier’s campus-wide, unparalleled
support for undergraduate research.
Based on the premise that all students
should consider continuing their
education beyond the bachelor’s, our
grad school pipeline begins with advising
during freshman orientation and
continues even after graduation, as
alumni use their faculty mentors as
resources for selecting the right program.
Through departments with low
student:faculty ratios and Xavier’s unique
“Gradstar” program, students have
continual opportunities to prepare for
choosing and applying to a graduate
program.
DSBS students learn and practice
research methods in classes of 10-15
students. Small classes not only offer
enormous support, but the intimate
learning environment gives our
undergraduates the unique advantage of
practicing their discipline’s research
methods early on.
Once students learn research
fundamentals, DSBS faculty encourage
them to develop their own projects or
invite them to assist with faculty-led
research. In recent years, DSBS
professors have secured over $3 million
to support undergraduate researchers. In
the last decade, more than forty students
had opportunities to present their
research at professional academic
conferences or to publish their work in
journals.
Unique university-wide resources for
undergraduate researchers are also key
ingredients in DSBS’ success in sending
students to graduate school. The Center
for Undergraduate Research supports
faculty and students doing research, as
well as sponsors Xavier’s XULAneXUS
journal and an annual “Festival of
Scholars.” These innovative venues help
undergraduates become comfortable
with making their scholarship public.
Since Xavier’s annual Festival of Scholars
began over a decade ago, more than 350
students from classes in the DSBS
disciplines have presented posters,
presentations, and performances. More
than four dozen DSBS majors have
published their research in XULAneXUS.
Learn more about DSBS
research opportunities and
specific projects at
www.xula.edu/dsbs/research
6
Early hands-on experiences with
research, coupled with advising and
programming encouraging students
to pursue a graduate degree, give
Xavier students a competitive edge
in getting into and succeeding in
graduate school. According to DSBS
Chairperson Dr. Amy Bellone Hite,
“Each year, dozens of top
universities contact us to recruit
Xavier students to their summer
research or graduate programs in
both traditional disciplines and
related fields such as public health,
criminal justice, policy, and
education. Our students are
desirable candidates because they
haven’t just been tested on their
knowledge of research, but they
have also already done social
research both in and out of class.”
PSYCHOLOGY & XAVIER'S
B.U.I.L.D. INITIATIVE
In collaboration with Xavier University of
Louisiana's B.U.I.L.D. (Building
Infrastructure Leading to Diversity)
initiative, Psychology students have the
opportunity to become B.U.I.L.D.
scholars and to conduct bio-medical
research over the summer led by
a B.U.I.L.D mentor who is a Xavier Faculty
Member.
"Undergraduate research at Xavier is
something that sets us apart and this
new initiative is just another opportunity
for students to get involved," said Dr.
Elliott Hammer, Psychology Department
Head.
Xavier University of Louisiana received a
$19.6 million grant from the National
Institute of Health to fund this initiative.
The program will be used as a pipeline to
expose students to the work of being
bio-medical researchers and ultimately
lead to Xavier graduates continuing their
career or education in this field.
New Advising
Tools help
students stay on
track, plan careers
Psychology professor, Dr. Wyndolyn Ludwikowski is leading an initiative to give
students a fresh look at their interests and career goals
In addition to it's Peer Mentor Program, DSBS is
implementing two new advising tools. In the fall,
freshmen took a “Success Navigator” assessment that
summarizes each student’s strengths and weaknesses
in terms of characteristics associated with college
success. Because the results illustrate each student’s
specific strengths, the results allow advisers to provide
individualized advice to their new advisees and to
monitor their growth in areas identified as needing
development. Knowing their strengths and
weaknesses can also help students make informed
choices and to self-monitor their behaviors to
maximize their chances of success. According to DSBS
Chairperson Amy Bellone-Hite, “Success Navigator can
make the advising process more rewarding and useful
for both advisers and students as they get to know one
another. The adviser-student team can focus on each
student’s particular needs rather than ‘one-size-fits-all’
advising.”
"Some [freshmen] may already be set on one
career path and major but the SII can open up
some other options while still allowing them to
pursue their interests in a meaningful way," said
Ludwikowski. In some cases, this may include the
suggestion of a major change if their results show
a drastic difference between their current major
and the results of the interest inventory.
In the spring, freshman are taking the Strong Interest
Inventory (SII) assessment. By giving a student quick
insight into what careers may be best for them and a
snapshot of things they enjoy, the SII is a valuable tool
for helping students identify their interests and
possible career choices. According to Dr. Wyndolyn
Ludwikowski who is leading this program, “We want to
best help students, so we are implementing the SII to
give students some insights into what career paths
might fit their interests best."
PEER MENTORSHIP
PROGRAM
Studies show that mentoring:
is associated with higher academic
performance
fosters positive relationships and
communication skills
aids in the adjustment to new
environments
After a student has taken the SII, an advisor analyzes
the personalized results. The results can be used to
help a student pinpoint a field or to choose a major
that will help them be happier, successful and fulfilled
professionals in their future occupation. Dr.
Ludwikowski, an expert in vocational psychology,
chose the SII because it is a "valid predictor of
vocational outcomes, one of which is happiness in
one's occupation."
The Division of Social and Behavioral
Sciences (DSBS) Peer Mentor Program
pairs new freshmen with
upperclassmen, and teams of student
mentors/mentees with faculty
advisors.
7
#SAYNOLA
Since its creation in 2004, the
Honors Introduction to Public
Speaking classes are organized
around a semester-long community
partnership. Xavier students apply
their public speaking skills to a social
justice issue that is important to a
community organization and
incorporates the university goals of
“promoting a more just and humane
society.” For three years, the courses
have organized #sayNOLA, a
community event series for high
school and college students, created
by Communication Studies students
at Xavier University and inspired by
community organizing and TED
Talks.
#sayNOLA involves two things:
1. Speakers give the “talk of their
lives.”
2. Audience members participate in
story circles.
Story circles are described as "a
group of people sitting in a circle,
telling personal stories, led by a
Story Circle facilitator," according to
Jan Cohen-Cruz, author of Engaging
Performance: Theatre as Call and
Response.
Last semester, #sayNOLA held its
first event off campus at St.
Augustine High School and in
partnership with the Louisiana
Bucket Brigade. In the fall, the
honors public speaking class hosted
sayNOLA: Know Your History, Build
Your Future, a forum that addressed
the racial and environmental justice
in the context of history. Lt.
General Russel Honore, Leon
Waters, and Xavier alumna Lexus
Jordan offered TED Talk-inspired
presentations, and participants
from five New Orleans high schools
engaged in story circles. The
students discussed stories that
surrounded the theme,“Think of a
time when the past taught you a
lesson that you use today in your
present situation or When the past
taught you a lesson that you are
using to build a better future."
This spring, the classes will
continue to partner with the
Louisiana Bucket Brigade around
themes of environmental racism
and social justice at a community
event to be hosted off campus in
mid-March.
A XULA student leads a story circle with
students from St. Katherine Drexel Prep, St.
Mary's Academy, and St. Augustine High
School
10
8
Dr. Ross Louis
welcomes area high
school students to
#SayNOLA
XULA students pose
with student from St.
Augustine High School
after completing a story
circle session
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MEET
&
GREET:
Get to Know DSBS'
New Faculty
DR. ELIZABETH WHITTINGTON-COOPER
Current Title: Visiting Assistant Professor of
Communication Studies
What are your research interests? Narratives of the
negotiations of sexual consent among college students, Black
women portrayals in pop culture, Black feminism.
What has been a favorite memory during your first semester
at XU? Meeting all my different colleagues and getting to know
the student culture at Xavier.
What are you currently reading or listening to? I always have
two to three books going at one time. Right now I am reading
"Parable of the Sower" by Octavia Butler and "Best Friends
Forever" by Jennifer Weiner.
DR. PHEBE HAYES
Current Title: Visiting Professor of Speech
Pathology
What are your research interests? My research
interest has always focused on Child and
adolescent language development and disorders.
My doctoral research specifically focused on
identifying the language problems experienced by
low-achieving gifted children.
What has been a favorite memory during your
first semester at XU? My favorite memory that I
will hold on to forever, is how sweet and
welcoming the students in each of my classes
were on my first day. That first day was stressful for
me because it had been a few years since I taught
but my students were so open and accepting that I
immediately bonded with them. Each of them
made my first semester at Xavier memorable. Just
as memorable for me was the opportunity to return
to Xavier as faculty. In 1972, I entered Xavier as a
first-time freshman. Dr. Joe Melcher was my
academic advisor and although he has retired, I still
get to see him around the department and benefit
from his advice! I am blessed!
What are you currently reading or listening to?
I am reading The life-changing magic of tidying
up by Marie Kondo. After thirty-six years of working
in the field as a clinician, professor, and dean, I have
a tremendous amount of things (e.g., books, files,
cards, paper, office equipment) I have collected
over the years and I now have to figure out what to
keep and what to let go.
What is something interesting that most people
don't know about you? I am passionate about my
family history research. My research has taken me
to archives, parish courthouses, and to other states
to connect with distant relatives and even
descendants of former slaveholders!
What is something interesting that most people don't know
about you? I am expecting twins June 2016.
DR. SANDRA SULZER
Current Title: Assistant Professor of Sociology
What are your research interests? I study the Sociology of Health
& Illness and am particularly interested in Mental Health, Health
Disparities, and Integrative Medicine.
What has been a favorite memory during your first semester at
XU? My favorite memory so far was being on the NAACP chapter
panel to discuss race relations in America today. I was honored to
have been invited by one of my students to share my perspective,
and I learned so much from fellow faculty and students I had not
yet met.
What are you currently reading or listening to? I am currently reading Zeitoun, a true story by Dave Eggers
about a Muslim man who helped rescue people during Hurricane Katrina. It discusses stereotyping, religious
persecution, and themes of community and solidarity.
What is something interesting that most people don't know about you? I grew up in Wisconsin, where I
competed as a championship log roller. This historic lumberjack sport requires opponents to run in opposite
directions on a log, in the water, and try to be the last person to fall off.
Current Title: Assistant Professor of Sociology What has been a favorite memory during your first
semester at XU? So far, meeting students with such
What are your research interests?
welcoming personalities has been the highlight of each
Criminology, Gender, Sexuality, Deviance,
Qualitative methodology, and Race/Ethnicity day I come into the office.
What are you currently reading or listening to? Mary Did
You Know. I chose this as my favorite song right now
because it is more than a holiday classic/favorite. Each
time I listen to it, it reminds of the mystery of the world and
of people. It reminds me to remain kind and humble to
those I don't know because I am not aware of what those
persons may one day mean in my life. Like children, we
never know who they will turn out to be. Kindness is one of
the best gifts we can give to one another and it is a free gift
that we can give each day because we don't always
"know"!
DR. LE'BRIAN PATRICK
10
What is something interesting that most people don't
know about you? I enjoy Sudoku.
NOTES FROM
AROUND THE
DIVISION
Association's District 5 Conference and "The
Katrina Anniversary: News Routines, Proximity
and New Orleans Residents' Reactions" at the
Southwest Education Council for Journalism
and Mass Communication Symposium. The
second paper was a research collaboration coauthored with students, Kendall Lawson
(MSCM) and Eric Craig (PSCI).
STUDENTS
The Xavier Herald was nominated for the
prestigious Pacemaker Award by the
Alana Peck (SOCI) tied for first place in the
Issue 27 | 234
Humanities/Social Science oral presentation division
at the LSU Undergraduate Conference. Her
Associated Collegiate Press . As a nominee,
Sika Koudou ’07 completed her doctorate in
The Herald was considered as one of the top
sociology at Johns Hopkins University and has
presentation was entitled, "The School-to‐Prison
25 collegiate newspapers in America- the
Pipeline from a Classroom View: Examining the
only HBCU represented and one of just two
Louisiana college papers nominated.
Relationship between School Climate and Student
Achievement Across Race."
Bianca Moore (PSCI) spent the summer interning at
Leadership for Educational Equity as a United Negro
College Fund Walton Education Reform Fellow and
was a member of the team that won the UNCF
Walton Education Reform case competition.
Sociology major and McNair Scholar Teyana Backey
completed internships with New Orleans City
Councilmember LaToya Cantrell’s office and the
LA Innocence Project;Amiere Bertrand interned with
the Community Commitment Education Center;
Monetiaka Brown interned with Lusher Charter
School and FitNola; and Dwauna Ealy with Ochsner
Clinic.
Eric Craig, a senior political science major and mass
communication minor, received second place in the
fiercely competitive "Student Journalist of the Year" at
the Southeast Journalism Conference 's Best of the
South Competition.
Nicholas Davison, a sophomore art major and mass
communication minor, placed eighth in the equally
competitive Best Graphic Design on a Single Page
category at the Southeast Journalism Conference 's
Best of the South Competition.
ALUMNI
taken a position as Social Science Research Analyst
at the Social Security Administration.
Alexandra Harris ’12 started a new position as a
Program Associate with the Association of Maternal
FACULTY
and Child Health Programs.
Dr. Wyndolyn Luwikowski presented three posters with
student researchers at the XULA McNair Undergraduate
Student Researcher Scholars Research Showcase:
Unidimensionality of centrality of racial identity and interests with
Alexis Greer and Dominiqueca Lewis and Explaining gender
differences in interest with confidence and occupational perceptions of
sex-type and prestige with Nina Gougisha Ludwikowski and
two of her student researchers, Thuy-Linh Nguyen and
Alexandria Williams also traveled to Toronto, Ontario,
Canada to present Predicting student success and retention at an
Amanda Manley ’12 is working as Culture
Coordinator at ROADS Charter High Schools in
Bronx, New York.
Teri Graham ’12 is anEpidemiologist at the
Georgia Department of Public Health.
Kelsey Riley ’12 – In addition to being a
contributing writer to BLAVITY, a lifestyle online
magazone, Riley has taken a new position with
HBCU via interest-major congruence and achievement at the
Arabella Advisors, an organization that advises and
Annual Convention of the American Psychological
supports philanthropic investments.
Association.
Sharane Ellis ’15 is working as a Mental Health
Dr. Silas Lee (SOCI) co-authored a chapter in the book, State
Professional for Absolute Health Behavioral Health
of Black New Orleans. Dr. Lee also made national television
Center.
appearances on MSNBC's The Rachel Maddow Show and
NPR to discuss the 2015 Louisiana Gubernatorial Election.
Ciarra Williams '15 has been accepted into the
.
Marriage & Family Counseling program at the
Dr. Shearon Roberts (MSCM) conducted a talk with her co-
University of Southern Mississippi.
author, Dr. Andrea Miller about their book Oil & Water at the
Louisiana Book Festival. The talk aired nationally on C-SPAN
2's Book TV series. In addtion, Dr. Robert's presented two
papers: "Black New Orleanians on TV: A Content Analysis of
Katrina Anniversary Coverage" at the Broadcast Education
Shomari Jordan '14 is working in child protective
services in Dallas, TX.
Dominique Webb '15 works at Seattle Children's
Hospital as a Pediatric Mental Health Specialist.
The Xavier University of
Louisiana/Louisiana Lambda
Chapter of Pi Gamma Mu
Marsaides Martin '03 is a marriage and family
therapist in Los Angeles, CA.
International Honor Society in Social
Sciences inducted its Fall 2015 class.
Inductees were L to R, Sharmaine
Tailyr McAlpin '12 and Kirsten Smith '12 received
Russ, Jacob Deitz, Morgan Dillard,
their master's degrees in speech pathology from
Beverlin del Rosario, Ivory Garner,
Southern University in December 2015.
Chinyere Okafor, Jessica Jefferson,
Skky Martin, Angel Norwood,
Brandon Rouzon, and Alesha
Smith (Victoria Watson and Efehi
Edomwonyi are not pictured)
11
Kashina Simmons '13 is now working as a
paraprofessional at Crescent City Schools in New
Orleans.
VOLUME III
SPRING 2016
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