MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN
Dear Alumni, Students, Faculty, and Friends of the College of Business,
As we close another transformative year at Southeastern Louisiana University’s College of Business, I am excited to share with you the remarkable strides we have made in advancing our mission This year, I began a new tradition of recognizing faculty work with the Golden Acorn Awards. A nod to the University’s Friendship Oak, the acorn awards remind us that when nurtured, an acorn grows into a mighty oak Through dedication and continuous development in their fields, our faculty have planted acorns of knowledge in our students, cultivating the next generation of business leaders. I am proud to highlight some of the acorns that have been planted this year in this annual report
Our students continue to showcase their exceptional skills by bringing home accolades won on a national stage Our Community Banking Team, CFA Institute Research Challenge, and our Professional Sales Students consistently demonstrate excellence. The success of these students is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our students and faculty, as well as strong support from our community partners
A key achievement this year was the successful implementation of our online MBA program. A collaboration between the CoB and the College of Science and Technology, this program is highly responsive to the growing need to manage technology in the business environment. This initiative has allowed us to extend the reach of our program to a broader audience, enabling professionals from diverse backgrounds to enhance their skills and advance their careers
Another accomplishment was our successful Executive Business Forum designed to serve the Northshore region. This forum brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and academics to discuss pressing economic issues and explore opportunities for regional development. The forum's success has helped to solidify our role as a hub for business thought leadership in the region. In conjunction with the Forum, we hosted our first Bourbon and Bouquets for Business event, which brought together alumni, supporters, and industry professionals to celebrate our collective achievements and raise funds to support the College’s ongoing initiatives
Many other key initiatives are shared within this report. As we look ahead, I am confident that the acorns of knowledge we have planted this year will continue to grow, shaping the future of business in our region and beyond
Thank you for your continued support and commitment to the College of Business I look forward to another year of growth, innovation, and success
- Dr. Tará Burnthorne Lopez, Dean
WORDS FROM PRESIDENT, DR. WILLIAM WAINWRIGHT
"I wish to commend the administration, faculty, staff and students of the Southeastern Louisiana University College of Business for exemplary leadership and service. From the success of the Inaugural Northshore Business Forum to the role our Ambassadors play in engaging students and industry stakeholders to the robust engagement of our successful alumni, the College of Business is making an indelible mark in delivering our mission."
-Dr. William Wainwright
FIRST ANNUAL COB EXECUTIVE BUSINESS FORUM
The College of Business and its Advisory Board held our first ever Executive Business Forum to serve leaders along the I-12 corridor. The Forum, chaired by alum and board member Steve Cory of Cory, Tucker, and Larrowe, attracted over 400 business and industry leaders representing over 50 companies from the multi-parish Northshore region to engage with thought leaders on the state of the economy in Louisiana and the impact of technology and talent. The event was held at the Castine Center in Mandeville and was supported by Catalyst Sponsors: First Guaranty Bank and Argent Trust
Susan Bonnett Bourgeois, Secretary Louisiana Economic Development inspired attendees to work collaboratively for a better future with her presentation on “The Future of Economic Development in Louisiana”
Kristy Davis, Global VP of AI, Innovation & Insights, Strategic Consulting The Channel Company and Donald Monistere, CEO and President of General Informatics, brought insight with “AI–Intelligence at the Speed of Business”
Chance Enmon, CEO, Jani-King Gulf Coast hands out a door prize.
Ted Abernathy, Managing Partner of Economic Leadership, LLC offered a thought-provoking, data-driven discussion on “Ten Things We Know About the Future of Economic Development in Louisiana”
Tim Temple, Louisiana Insurance Commissioner discussed one of the most critical concerns of our region as he shared his plans to address Louisiana’s Insurance Crisis
Michele Sutton, President and CEO of North Oaks Health System introduces the next speaker.
Kyle Piller, Shafer Endowed Professor and Director of the Lake Maurepas Monitoring Program explained Southeastern’s Role in Carbon Capture and Sequestration
William Sims, Senior Vice President of Professional Services at Lightcast intrigued the crowd with his discussion of the evolution of talent in his presentation “Who Will Do the Work “
FIRST ANNUAL EXECUTIVE BUSINESS FORUM
Student representatives from CoB student ambassadors, Women in Business, and Phi Sigma Epsilon helped to host the Executive Business Forum This afforded them an excellent opportunity to network with top business leaders and hear from visionary speakers. They are joined in this photo by University President William Wainwright, Secretary of Economic Development Susan Bourgeois, and Dean Lopez.
CATALYST SPONSORS
Barriere Construction
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana
Collaborative Drug Discovery
CommCare
Donahue-Favret
EY
First Horizon
Gulf Coast Bank
Hancock Whitney
Hannis T. Bourgeois
James Lambert Riggs & Assoc., CPAs
SAVE THE DATE FOR NEXT YEAR APRIL 10, 2025
CATALYST SPONSORS
John Poteet
Kent Design
KPG Realty
Lane Daniel Companies
LaPorte
Netchex
Northshore Business Council
Performance Contractors, Inc
PoolCorp
Port of South Louisiana
Rob Dugas
Romano Promo
S&W Foods
St Tammany Chamber of Commerce
St Tammany Health System
St. Tammany Corporation
State Farm
Stirling Properties
Synergy Glass Company LLC
Tangipahoa Economic Development
Foundation
Tom and Jane Akers
Utility Metering Solutions, LLC
SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA BUSINESS CENTER JOINS COB
Over twenty years ago, Southeastern's commitment to economic development led to the creation of the Southeast Louisiana Business Center (SLBC), strategically located in a 17,000 square-foot building near I-12 and I-55 and the university campus In 2024, this facility became part of the COB and serves as a hub for economic activities, housing 37 various offices, 5 conference rooms, a 75-person capacity conference center, private parking and on-site professional services. Core occupants include the Louisiana Small Business Development Center, the Business Research Center, Northshore Technical Community College and businesses associated with its incubator.
LOUISIANA SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER (LSBDC)
Southeast Louisiana Business Center Team: Wayne Ricks (Interim Director/Senior Business Consultant, Dillon Sullivan (Business Consultant), Karen Romero (Training Coordinator) and Melissa Laird (Business Administrator).
BUSINESS RESEARCH CENTER
The award-winning LSBDC at SLU is a cornerstone of the center, offering no cost, confidential consulting for individuals starting or growing businesses. Primary services cover business planning, financial guidance and access to capital. We also provide low-to-no cost workshops on topics like marketing, social media, government contracts, finance, legalities, HR and more!
The University-based Business Research Center serves the area community by providing data on economic and business conditions in the local economy. The center conducts economic impact studies, industry studies, and can research a wide variety of issues for business and government aiding in informed decision-making In 2023-2024, the Business Research Center completed 10 RFIs, 8 solicited projects and 6 industry studies.
BUSINESS INCUBATOR
Any new business needs time to grow while establishing a niche in the marketplace. The SLBC’s incubator offers affordable rent and access to resources, support, and expertise from consultants to help young startups thrive.
2023-2024 HIGHLIGHTS
In 2023-2024 the LSBDC consultants supported the business expansions and startups:
Middle C Music, LLC
Batter
Crown Car Wash Parish Tacos
Programs:
Hosted Congresswoman Julia Letlow’s roundtable discussion with local community leaders and officials.
Provided office space to Congresswoman Julia Letlow and Northshore Technical Community College.
Hosted Dr. Loren Scott to deliver his economic update for Northshore Region.
Hosted Young Entrepreneurs Academy Program where two students, Bella Cervantes and Savanah Babb were selected to compete in the National Competition. Bella made it to final rounds and received People’s Choice Award for her company
“Brave Bella Bead Co.”
Partnered with the St. Helena Parish Summit featuring former Governor John Bell Edwards as our keynote speaker
SBDC INT. DIRECTOR WINS STATE AWARDS
At the Annual LSBDC Conference, Wayne Ricks, Interim Director, won two awards. He was awarded for the $3 Million in capital club and for having the most business startups in the network.
SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT PROGRAM UPDATE
KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Demand for SCM majors remains high with the Bureau of Labor Statistics calling careers in SCM as one of the fastest growing in the nation. During 2023-24, the SCM Program increased enrollment 25 %. Other key accomplishments: Board membership grew with the addition of International Paper, State of Louisiana Procurement Department, Ragan & Massey, Walmart, and Wilson Warehouse. Starting pay for SCM graduates remains among the highest in the CoB.
Mr. Jon Emas, Dr. Jose Noguera, Dr. Mike Jones, SCM Advisory Board Chair Bryan Boudreaux along with three SCM students attended the Annual Supply Chain Baton Rouge Conference, with over 400 attendees.
Mr. Jon Emas also gave a presentation on Sustainable Supply Chain Management to the attendees CORPORATE SUPPORT REACHES $100,000
The SCM Advisory Board built momentum over 2023-24 by increasing its membership and donations with over $100,000 committed from corporate donors and organizations, including support from the former chapters of the Transportation Club and Institute for Supply ManagementBaton Rouge.
KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS
SCM students heard from employees of: Bayer, BlueCross BlueShield, Community Coffee, DHL, Entergy, Fluker Transportation, International Paper, Martin Brower, and Smitty’s Supply. SCM students held internships with in the areas of procurement, operations, and logistics with companies such as: Amedisys Home Healthcare, Crescent City Beverage, Entergy, Fastenal, Fluker Transportation, GIS Engineering, JB Hunt Logistics, International Paper, Martin Brower Company, Primoris Service Corporation, Rain Carbon, Smitty’s Supply, Textron, Methanex, Wacker Concrete, Walmart
The Supply Chain Club launched a successful TShirt Campaign raising hundreds of dollars to help fund club activities.
Mr. Jon Emas worked with corporate partners t l h th SCM S h l hi P g ith SCM STUDENTS TOUR
FINANCE PROGRAM UPDATE
The Finance Program at Southeastern continues to provide valuable learning experiences through courses and intercollegiate competitions Several students had the opportunity to add value to their studies and showcase their knowledge and skills in the Bloomberg Challenge, the CFA Challenge, and the CSBS Case Study competition
CFA RESEARCH TEAM TOP IN THE STATE!
Undergrad Finance majors Collin Barrios, Blake Eiermann, Kaleb Fontenot, Dylan Lacoste, and Logan Whittington competed in the CFA Institute Research Challenge, an annual global competition that provides university students with hands-on mentorship Building on the knowledge and skills that they develop in the finance program, students were tasked with analyzing a publicly traded company. Our 2024 CFA Institute Research Challenge (Southwest region – South bracket) team, mentored by Dr
John Cresson, advanced to the finals along with Rice, Texas A&M and the University of Houston. We were the only team from Louisiana to advance. This is the third time in our last four challenges that we have advanced to the regional finals. Our team of undergraduate Finance majors competed against teams primarily made up of graduate students or a mix of undergraduate/graduate students It was a great experience for our students to be around such strong players
TEAM MEMBERS INVITED TO MEET WITH U.S. SENATOR CASSIDY
Members of the CFA Research team, Dylan Lacoste and Logan Whittington, along with College of Business Dean Tará Lopez and marketing major and SGA president Lacey Johnson were invited to meet with US.. Senator Bill Cassidy when he visited Southeastern’s campus.
SOUTHEASTERN’S BANKING TEAM
- RANKED THIRD IN THE U.S.!
The Banking Team continued its tradition of excellence in the Conference of State Bank Supervisors annual case study competition, finishing third in the nation. The team consisting of Blake Eiermann, Tu Nguyen, Gabriela Santana, Dijon Smith, and Putheara Sok partnered with b1 Bank to determine lessons learned from the Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank, and First Republic Bank closures, identify the banks’ expectations for regulatory and supervisory changes, and evaluate how the banks are using social media. Adding a touch of celebrity to their report was a video interview that the students conducted with future NFL hall of famer and b1 Bank spokesperson, Drew Brees
Faculty sponsor Dr. Danielle Lewis consistently guides Southeastern’s teams to top-five finishes. Combining statistical analysis with in-depth interviews and industry research, the teams provide deliverables that showcase the skills they develop in the program and add value for the banks that they study
BLOOMBERG TRADING CHALLENGE AND STUDENT-MANAGED INVESTMENT FUND
Dr. Cresson’s classes participated in the Global Bloomberg Trading Challenge and managed the Student Investment Fund this year Three undergraduate teams competed in the 2023 Global Bloomberg Trading Challenge Out of the 2,007 teams from 38 countries, two of our three teams finished in the top half of the competition, with our best team finishing in the top 10% (global rank of 177 out of 2,007).
In the Investments course, backtesting and sell-side research projects prepare students to work with the Heyward Gibbes Hill Scholarship (HGH) fund. In the Portfolio Theory course, the student teams make their buy/sell/hold recommendations to wealth managers Employing AI and Bloomberg software, seven teams made their recommendations for the $2,000,000+ HGH fund to two wealth managers Luke Trosclair (CFP-- Class of 2006) and Mike Hackler (CFP, CPFA-- Class of 2007), both managing principals, critiqued the presentations and advised the student teams. The top two teams, as voted on by the wealth managers, presented to the Southeastern Foundation Board in May.
ACCOUNTING PROGRAM UPDATE
The Accounting Program continues to engage with key stakeholders as we innovate to deliver quality learning experiences that will impact the communities we serve The program maintains supplemental accounting accreditation through the AACSB, the premiere accrediting body in business. Less than onequarter of AACSB accredited business colleges feature supplemental accreditation.
Engagement Innovation Impact
• Recorded over 400 extracurricular hours of student engagement with professionals.
• 10 Accounting professionals served as instructor-for-a-day.
• Offered 10 lunch-n-learn sessions to meet accounting firm representatives.
• Over 20 employers attended the Meet-the-Firms event.
• The Northshore Chapter of the LCPA and the Accounting Program to hosted a speed interviewing event.
• 75 students completed internships for credit and many others continued existing internships
• Faculty volunteered on LCPA committees and community outreach presentations
• The Accounting Partnership Program provided scholarship and professional interaction opportunities for our students and faculty.
• Added new courses in sustainability and ethics, and data analytics, including cuttingedge courses in Sustainability Reporting and International Financial and Sustainability Reporting.
• The MBA with a Concentration in Accounting and Financial Analysis program saw its first graduates begin their careers
• Over 50 students were recognized with scholarships during the first annual accounting program awards banquet.
• Three Southeastern students have been selected to receive $15,000 PCAOB scholarships.
• The LCPA recognized two outstanding Southeastern students with scholarships.
• The accounting program hosted a VITA site. Students assisted 170 taxpayers through our service learning program.
THANK YOU TO OUR PROGRAM PARTNERS & ADVISORY BOARD
PROGRAM PARTNERS
Gold Level
Faulk & Winkler
Hannis T Bourgeois
Kushner LaGraize LaPorte
Green Level
Bourgeois Bennett EisnerAmper
Wegmann Dazet
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS
Janice Ezegbunam, Deloitte
Brianna Gibson, ExxonMobil
Ron Gitz, LCPA
Heather Lambert, Entergy
Jeff LaCour, TRSL
Bonnie Hunt Mercantel, EisnerAmper
Jordan Montz, LaPorte
Chase Ruiz, Hannis T. Bourgeois
Jeremy Thibodeaux, Ericksen Krentel
Amy Verberne, Carr, Riggs, and Ingram
Jacob Waguespack, Faulk & Winkler
Brittany Elliser, KPMG
Tommy Laine, Wegmann Dazet
Anthony Rutledge, LaPorte
Megan Lynch, James, Lambert, Riggs
MEET THE FIRMS
Our accounting students had a fantastic evening networking at Meet The Firms! This event provided them with valuable opportunities to connect with industry professionals, expand their professional network, and gain insights into career paths. At the College of Business, we are committed to empowering our students with practical experiences and networking opportunities that enhance their career readiness and foster their success in the business world.
MARKETING PROGRAM UPDATE
HIGHLIGHTS THIS YEAR
Hosted our Marketing Advisory Board Meeting, board members include: Ashley O’Quin, Republic Finance; Chris Orillion, Fastenal; Amanda Breaud, LA Cat; Alexis Ducorbier, State Farm; Fran Tynes, Resource Bank; Darby Murphy, the Moran Group; Jim Currie; Kayla Morgan, Imaginal Marketing; Robin Parker, Southeastern Auxiliary Services; Mike Rivault, Southeastern Marketing; Kim Walker, Shop Marketing Pros; Kathy Stuart, State Senator Bill Cassidy’s Office
Hosted DECA Day at Southeastern (75 students from 3 high schools attended and 15 students planned the event and gave presentations)
Hosted a Marketing & Supply Chain Pinning Ceremony during the spring semester to celebrate the graduating seniors and invited family/friends to participate. Marketing students held Internships at the following companies: Hometown Hardware; Martin Transport; Gymworx; XXIII Marketing; Barriere Construction; K Bliss; Papillon's; Jefferson Parish Parks & Recreation; United Rentals; Tangi Tree Company; Roussel & Co; Fastenal; Saturday Marketing; Associated Grocers; CGM Marketing; Fully Promoted; Smoothie King; Salad Station Brands; MKS Plastics; Fastenal; Northshore STEM; Momables; Service Hawk; Fastenal; United Rentals; Sotheby’s International; and Thai Green Leaf.
MRKT 442 COMMERCIAL SHOOT FOR TRACC
The MRKT 442 team collaborated with COMM 424 students to build and execute an advertising strategy for the class client TRACC (Tangipahoa Reshaping Attitudes about Community Change). The project focused on creating a Public Service Announcement (PSA) campaign aimed at preventing vaping among middle school and high school students, as well as educating parents The shoot was set in a mock hospital room located in the Kinesiology building to provide a realistic backdrop.
MARKETING CLASS VISITS TANGI PARISH ANIMAL SHELTER
Dr. Mike Jones' Marketing students recently visited the Tangipahoa Parish Animal Shelter as part of a class project supporting the shelter. They enjoyed spending time with their furry friends, making the experience both educational and fun
AMERICAN MARKETING ASSOC.
AMA OUTSTANDING CHAPTER RECOGNITION AT NATIONAL CONFERENCE
In only its second year, Southeastern’s AMA Chapter Received Outstanding Recognition for Chapter Planning, Fundraising & Membership.
SOUTHEASTERN FACULTY MEMBER TAPPED TO LEAD NATIONAL COLLEGIATE AMA
Marketing Faculty member, Dr. Tim Butler has been selected to be the President of the American Marketing Association Collegiate Chapters Council which is a liaison between the AMA student membership, its 320+ collegiate chapter faculty advisors and the AMA
SALES PROGRAM UPDATE
ICSC: The Southeastern Professional Sales Program had a great year. The team achieved a #13 out of 80 universities overall ranking at the World Cup of Sales at the International Collegiate Sales Competition (ICSC) in Orlando, hosted by Florida State University.
NCSC: Following ICSC success, the Southeastern sales team competed against over 140 of the brightest sales minds from 72 university sales programs at the National Collegiate Sales Competition, hosted by Kennesaw State University Kalynn Granier was a quarterfinalist and finished Top 35 in the country. Victoria Hickey was a semifinalist and finished Top 16 in the country. Katelynn Brady, Hezekiah Chatelain, and Caleb Peppers competed in the Speed Sell Competition. As a team, the team from SLU finished 12 overall, which set a school record for this very challenging competition. This marks the 3rd straight year of sweet 16 appearances.
Bayou Sales Challenge: The sales team, including Katelynn Brady, Hezekiah Chatelain, Kalynn Granier, Victoria Hickey, and Ben Robicheaux competed in the regional competition, the Bayou Sales Challenge, hosted by Nicholls State University.
Redbird National Sales Competition: Katelynn Brady, Kalynn Granier, and Victoria Hickey also participated in the Redbird National Sales Competition, hosted by Illinois State University. The three competitors competed against 135 top sales students and made the semifinal round SLU’s team finished 3rd out of 45 universities, another school-record performance
Southeastern Sales Challenge: Southeastern's Professional Sales Program hosted its biannual Southeastern Sales Challenge. Overall Winner: Victoria Hickey, First Runner-Up: Kalynn Granier, Second Runner-Up: Katelynn Brady, and Third Runner-Up: Ben Robichaux.
The Professional sales program is run by marketing faculty members Drs. April Kemp and Tim Butler.
PROFESSIONAL SALES GOLF TOURNAMENT
Our students have truly excelled this year at the Sales Golf Tournament! They have gone above and beyond, selling sponsorships, organizing the event, and handling numerous other responsibilities with hard work, dedication and skill.
UNITED RENTALS ROLE PLAY ROOM
United Rentals, which has been a sponsor of the sales program since its inception, once again demonstrated their support by sponsoring one of the role play rooms
$55,000
$ in golf teams & sponsorships sold directly by students in one month. Combining classroom lessons with real world experiences to build transferrable skills
ECONOMICS CLUB
Led by Dr. Scott Burns, the Economics Club aims to involve students from all disciplines who are eager to explore economics and apply the "economic way of thinking" to real-world issues. The club offers a range of activities including guest speakers and panelis discussion groups to encourage critical thinking literature, and tutoring services to support stud
HISPANIC LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
Local Hispanic high school students gathered in Garrett Hall for the Hispanic Leadership Program The program, led by Dr. Aristides Baraya, the director of the Latin American Business Development Initiative, is devoted to teaching students successful business strategies and giving students a glimpse into the College of Business Students enjoyed an assortment of foods as they developed business ideas and presented pitches to their peers.
This semester, Juliana White teamed up with Dr. Baraya at Franklinton High School in Washington Parish. They gave a talk to high school students about marketing and personal branding. It was great to connect with the students and share tips on why marketing is important and how they can build their own personal brand. At the College of Business, we are dedicated to encouraging future leaders and entrepreneurs through programs like this that make a real impact
Henry Hays, CEO of DisruptReady, speaking at an economics club event on AI in February
Economics club hosted events on “Swiftonomics”, “The Economics of an Alien Invasion”, and “Cold War 2 0? The Ongoing Trade War between the USA and China”
MANAGEMENT PROGRAM UPDATE
Dr Tonya Crombie conducted a Management Special Topics course on Consulting Skills in which students worked directly with the Heads of Human Resources, Sales, and Equipment Rentals at Louisiana Caterpillar to create a program to address the problem of employee retention. Students interviewed employees, researched best practices in onboarding and retention, and presented findings and recommendations to the LACat leadership team. Then prepared a final revised deliverable based on the LACat team feedback. This work-based learning experience increased students’ interpersonal and networking skills and their understanding of the challenges experienced by management and resulted in a job offer for one of the students.
WOWED PROGRA
The College of Business at Southeastern Louisiana University held its seventh semi-annual awards ceremony for the WOWED (Written and Oral Works of Excellence and Distinction) Awards Program on May 1st at the Cate Teacher Education Center. The program honored students who were judged as having produced the “best of the best” individual written projects/papers and oral presentations by their professors
THE WINNERS OF THE 2023-24 WOWED AWARDS
Dominic Arcuri IV, General Studies
Anthony Britton Jr., General Studies
Celia Chapman, Marketing
Haley Cobos, Marketing
Carmen Coniglio, Management
Trey D. Johnson, Marketing
Ruth LaValley, Management
Adriana Milano, Integrative Biology
Maddison Oakes, Management
Cole Sceroler, Management
Jennifer Wall, Accounting
Connor Wilkinson, Marketing
Brett John Barrios, Marketing
Greyson Teylor Boudreaux, Accounting
Keyshawn Kevin Casnave, Business Administration
Presley Dronet, Supply Chain Management
Hailee Fernandez, Accounting
Tanner J. Hebert, Finance
Gracee C. Lefort, Business Administration
GiGi N. Marks, Business Administration
Jillian Martin, Marketing
Morgan Martinez, English (Creative Writing)
Liam P McCauley, Math(Business/Actuarial Science)
Cameron Meier, Business Administration and Supply
Chain Management
Sophia Rose Nastasi, Marketing
Raynard Roberts, Jr., Business Administration
Keyron Smith, Computer Science
Logan Whittington, Finance
Brooke Williamson, Business Administration
SOCIETY FOR HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (SHRM)
The Society for Human Resources Management student chapter continued to grow and participate in new activities during the 2023-24 school year. CoB students benefited from attending several educational events hosted by SHRM and especially enjoyed the presentation by Erin Lauderdale from Southeastern's Career Services team Ms Lauderdale helped students prepare for their job search by giving resume and interview tips
The student SHRM chapter was also excited to assist with Career Readiness Week and the Networking Dinner. SHRM officers were welcoming hosts, greeting visitors, escorting them to meeting rooms, and ensuring they had everything they needed during these busy events.
SHRM officers continued to build their professionalism skills and network by attending both the Lousiana state SHRM convention in Lafayette as well as the National SHRM convention in Chicago. Attending the national SHRM convention is a significant reward to the officer team for the time and energy they spend all year. The National SHRM convention is the largest HR convention in the world, with over 26,000 participants this year. Students learned so much by attending professional presentations, seminars, the vendor Expo, and the student networking area.
# CoB students that attended professional conferences or academic competitions this year through financial support from the CoB and donors providing immeasurable networking and professional growth opportunities.
MBA PROGRAM - MITECH ONLINE PROGRAM IS A SUCCESS
The CoB partnered with the College of Science and Technology during Fall of 2024 and launched a new 100% online MBA program with a focus on managing innovation and technology (MITech MBA) The MITech MBA program is 100% online and can be completed in one year Courses are taught in an accelerated, asynchronous format, 2 courses in each 8-week term The program has five possible entry points: August, October, January, March and May The program is fully accredited by AACSB
In Spring of 2024, MBA students took entrepreneurship to the stage and competed in the IDEAcorps Consulting Challenge. Cenzo Caronna, St. Tammany Corporation’s Entrepreneur in Residence and STartUP Northshore Program Manager, coached the team of Southeastern MBA students The IDEAcorps Consulting Challenge is an immersive event that gives MBA students the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills helping small and/or early stage businesses develop a robust scale-up plan. The students participated in numerous industry and networking events during New Orleans Entrepreneur Week The Southeastern team placed 5th among a competition that included 10 teams from across the nation. Southeastern’s team included: Emily Wiltz, Lucy Wambua, Mason Richard, Brock Milton and Julia Marcus
The curriculum is similar to that of the traditional MBA program, with courses in accounting, finance, marketing, management, economics and statistics. In addition to the seven core business classes, students will take three technology-focused elective courses in areas such as cybersecurity policy and infrastructure, managing the software project life cycle, and quality management and control Graduates of this program will be better prepared to make managerial decisions that evolve alongside the changing technological needs of the business landscape
PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL WINNERS
The President’s Medal for Academic Excellence is the university's highest academic honor recognizing students with the highest cumulative grade point average in the college. Medal recipients this year were: Management major Maddison Oakes, Accounting major Abigail Malynne Wheat, Accounting major Greyson Taylor Boudreaux, Finance major Justin Ira Mata, and Management major Kailee Spinks Neal.
PROFESSORSHIPS AWARDED
Dr. John Cresson, Otto Candies Family Endowed Professorship in Business
Dr. Danielle Lewis, Paul B. Candies Endowed Professorship in Business
Dr. Scott Burns,Charles Blackwell Endowed Professorship in Economics
Dr. Linan Peng, Joseph H. Miller Endowed Professorship in Business
Dr. Jen Morgan, Joyce Junghans #3 Endowed Professorship in Business
Dr Sang Lee, Rubio Family Endowed Professorship in Latin American Business Development
Dr. Mike Budden, Benjamin Paul Jones Endowed Professorship in Retailing
Dr. April Kemp, Louis Mayfield Endowed Professorship in Marketing
Dr. Rusty Juban, Robert Maurin Endowed Professorship in Business
COB AMBASSADORS
The College of Business Ambassadors are student leaders who proudly represent our college They welcome prospective students and guests to campus events, sharing their experiences and showing them what our community is like. Ambassadors also help with campus tours, recruitment events, and alumni gatherings, where they highlight all the great things about our college. They show our commitment to excellence and leadership, making a positive impact both on campus and in the wider community
AMBASSADOR SCHOLARSHIPS & AWARDS
Scholarship Winners
Olwethu Dlamini
Peyton Kennedy
Sophia Nastasi
Kalynn Granier
Cmeron Cockerham
Lance Nina Carmela
Ian McManus
Walker Peyton
Asis
Emerging Leaders Award
Cameron Cockerham
Olwethu Dlamini
Dorian Kopp
Adam Cockfield
Giving a CoB tour to St. Tammany Parish President, Mike Cooper and Tangipahoa Parish President, Robby Miller
Hosting Senator Bill Wheat for a CoB tour
Participating in the Big Event for a day of community service
A
Outstanding Ambassador and Officer
Ian McManus
Spirit Award
Peyton Kennedy
Mosta Active New Ambassador Adam Cockfield
BIZCONNECT
Biz Connect 2024 was a big success! It brought together leaders, entrepreneurs, and students for a day packed with great discussions, workshops, and chances to meet new people Everyone got to hear from experts, learn about the latest ideas in business, and make connections that will help them in their careers. People left feeling inspired and full of new ideas to try out. The event was a success, showing how working together can really make a difference in business.
350+
# Students in attendance
60
# Employers participating
100% of students’ preparation rated good or outstanding by employers
100% Employers would participate again
CAREER READINESS WEEK HIGHLIGHTS
Led by Dr. Tonya Crombie, Career Readiness Day was expanded this year into Career Readiness Week. Garrett hall was filled with activities to help students gain the essential skills necessary to obtain jobs and demonstrate professionalism in the workplace. Career Readiness week was well-attended, with participants eagerly engaging in workshops, networking sessions, and resume review clinics
WORKSHOPS, RESUME R INTERVIEWS
Multiple days of events were designed to help students prepare for BizConnect and for their job search. Human Resource professionals reviewed students' resumes and conducted mock interviews. Professional recruiters presented on "How to impress a recruiter", "How to use LinkedIn", "Things NOT to do when seeking a job." Business professionals also instructed students on how to build critical networking skills.
Expanding to an entire week, we welcomed even more professionals to campus and were thrilled by the number of Southeastern and CoB alumni participating
The alumni association joined the student models in the Career Readiness Fashion Show. Alumni had lots of fun modeling "What NOT to Wear," which was a real treat for the audience.
O WEAR FASHION SHOW
CAREER READINESS NETWORKING DINNER
Due to the popularity of the inaugural 2023 CoB Networking Dinner with students and employers, we were excited to expand it in 2024. We welcomed several new sponsors in addition to many returning valued community partners. These generous sponsors provided funds that enabled students to attend educational competitions and professional conferences in Louisiana and nationally
Students practiced the skills they learned during Career Readiness Week by networking with employers They also displayed their table manners over a three-course dinner, where they were treated to words of wisdom from our university President, Dr. William Wainwright, and our keynote speaker, College of Business alumnus Taylor Chunn, founder of Medical Waste Management and President of Advanced Contracting Industries. Excellent conversations were had, and connections were forged.
Career Readiness week culminated with the Etiquette and Networking Dinner with alum guest speaker Taylor Chunn, founder of Medical Waste Management and President of Advanced Contracting Industries
STUDENTS SHARE THEIR INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCES
CHRISTIAN JOHNSONPEPSICO
I had a 10-week Summer Sales Internship with PepsiCoPepsi Beverages North America. It allowed me to learn so much about the industry, as I've been able to rotate through multiple managerial roles in Sales, Transportation, Merchandising, and more!
I even got to participate in the Best of the Best Internal Audit with Paul Moody & Anthony West
Here is a picture of one of the first displays I helped put up. Thank you to PepsiCo for welcoming me with open arms. Can’t wait to continue learning!
MARIA CAMPO - MARTIN BROWER
I have had a great experience as the Distribution Operations Intern at the Baton Rouge DC. I have had amazing mentors. I have learned several processes used in various departments. I got to oversee operations in Receiving, Warehouse, Transportation, Customer Service, and Inventory Next, I was able to dive into my project on continuous improvement I have been conducting audits in Warehouse and Transportation to see where we are excelling and what we can improve on From there I have presented my findings and recommendations to the management team. I have enjoyed getting to interact with the subject matter experts to get clarification and feedback from the management team.
My favorite experience was getting to go on a route ride with Nakosha. Not many employees get an opportunity like this, and I am very grateful I could. I enjoyed being able to interact with our customers firsthand
I have also been able to attend several networking events with the leaders of Martin Brower. I have enjoyed hearing all the speakers, learning about their previous roles and how it has led them to their current role, and the advice they shared ”
STUDENT SPOTLIGHTS
CARLEY CHASE, ACCOUNTING
Meet Carley Chase! Currently interning at LaPorte CPAs and Business Advisors, Carley actively contributes to auditing processes, special projects, and client research. Her dedication extends to active participation in firm and departmental meetings, showcasing a commitment to professional growth.
Carley’s advice for fellow students: “Go to career fairs! Put yourself out there and utilize Southeastern’s resources, like meet the firms ” Her journey serves as a testament to the impact of seizing opportunities and leveraging available resources to secure valuable internships.
IAN MCMANUS, BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION WITH A SPANISH MINOR
Meet Ian McManus! As a COB ambassador, Ian has found some of his most memorable moments at Southeastern From giving back to the COB community through events to guiding incoming students toward the BEST college on campus, being an ambassador offers numerous opportunities to make a lasting impact. Ian highly recommends anyone with a desire to get involved in the COB to take that chance without looking back. The intangibles these organizations offer go beyond the time spent as a student.
HANNAH RADECKER, ACCOUNTING
Hannah holds the position of president at the Southeastern Accounting Society and works as a student employee in the Accounting and Finance Department Over the past year, these organizations have played a significant role in her life, providing her with invaluable mentors and growth opportunities.
She is dedicated to helping other students experience the same growth and connection. Through SAS, Hannah and her team work to establish relationships between students and employers, fostering academic development Leading SAS, she sees it as an organization that brings value to students, the college, and the community.
KALYNN GRANIER, PROFESSIONAL SALES
Meet Kalynn Granier! In her internship at Barriere Construction, she handled several responsibilities, and she lends a hand with tasks like award and certification applications. Through her internship experience, Kalynn has learned the importance of asking questions as a means of personal and professional growth.
For fellow students seeking internships, Kalynn offers practical advice: focus on building a wide network, regardless of major or industry Furthermore, understanding one's strengths and weaknesses is crucial for effectively presenting oneself in the competitive internship landscape.
WOMEN IN BUSINESS HIGHLIGHT
This past school year Women in Business hosted many events, led by Dr Lara Gardner and Ms Cally Berner, including our second annual “Break Bread” networking dinner with speaker Laura Fuentes, two networking socials (one each semester), and a Spring Fling. We also hosted a LinkedIn workshop where professionals shared their tips and suggestions with our members, and members could get a professional headshot, for free! Our members also had the opportunity to hear from great speakers, including Mr. Rob Dugas, formerly of Chick-fil-A, and Southeastern’s very own First Lady Mrs. Misty Wainwright. Members also enjoyed hanging out for some fun activities, such as COBtober Fest, trivia night, and tote bag painting We look forward to another exciting school year in fall 2024.
2023-24 Medium sized Division of Student Affairs Student Organization of the Year
WIB AND AMA HOSTED COBTOBER FEST
The Women in Business and American Marketing Association jointly hosted CoBtober Fest in Garrett Hall, where students gathered to enjoy a vibrant event filled with delicious food, refreshing drinks, engaging games, and much more. It was a lively celebration that brought together members of the College of Business community, fostering camaraderie and creating memorable experiences for all who attended.
COB LAUNCHES CORPORATE TRAINING SERIES ON LEADERSHIP
Dr. Tonya Crombie launched the CoB Leadership Series with it’s first 10-month program focused on Emerging Leaders The program consists of five two-day modules, including Module 1: Leading with Character and Confidence, Module 2: Thinking and Acting Like a Leader, Module 3: Intentional Communication, Module 4: Building Trust and Connection, and Module 5: Building a Positive Culture. Just a few of the companies who have trusted us with their Emerging Leaders are: Barriere Construction, Kent Design Build, Tangipahoa Parish Government, Jani-King Gulf Coast, Elmer’s Chocolate, LouisianaCat, North Oaks Health System, Claymar Construction, Professional Heating and Air; and Cory, Tucker, & Larrowe
COB DISTINGUISHED GRADUATES
This year, we are proud to celebrate outstanding graduates from the College of Business. Maddison Oakes, Management; Greyson Boudreaux; Accounting, Abigail Wheat; Accounting, Justin Mata; Finance, Kaelie Robichaux; Finance, Kalynn Granier; Marketing, Jourdan Settoon; Marketing, Elizabeth Simpson; Supply Chain Management, Hannah Sonnie; Business Administration, JaKaysia Brooks; Economics
CAMPUS AWARD WINNERS
WOMAN OF THE YEAR
LACEY JOHNSON IAN MCMANUS MAN OF THE YEAR
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT OF THE YEAR
SONJA BHATTA
STUDENT ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR
WOMEN IN BUSINESS
COB DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS
STEVE CORY (BBA, MBA),
With forty years in insurance, Steve Cory is recognized as a leader in the industry He is the co-founder and President of Cory, Tucker, & Larrowe which has offices in New Orleans and Baton Rouge. They provide bonding and insurance services exclusively to the construction industry which enables them to provide unmatched service to their clients. Steve has served on many professional and non-profit boards Currently, he is treasurer and board member for the Boys and Girls Club of Metro Louisiana, on the board of directors for the A.C.E. (Architecture Construction Engineering) Mentor Program of Greater New Orleans, and a board member at the Southeastern Foundation, and the Southeastern College of Business.
SOUTHEASTERN YOUNG ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR
JASON LATIOLAIS (MBA)
Jason is the President and CEO of Barriere Construction, an infrastructure and heavy civil construction company Jason, who has a B.S. Civil Engineering in addition to his MBA, began his career with Barriere in 2008 and is the company’s first non-family President/CEO since its founding. Jason serves on the Louisiana Association and Business and Industry (LABI) board of directors which includes the 100 influential business leaders representing companies throughout Louisiana He also serves as treasurer of the Southeastern Louisiana Flood Protection Authority.
COB ALUMNUS NAMED
ALUMNI DIRECTOR
MALAYNE SHARPE (BA, MBA)
Since graduation from the CoB, Sharp has had a successful career in the healthcare industry in which she received multiple promotions and was noted for her managerial and interpersonal skills. She is focusing on enhancing the alumni experience, as well as increasing overall alumni engagement
ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIPS
Accounting Faculty Alumni Endowed Scholarship
Addie Lela Thompson Smith Memorial Endowed Scholarship in Accounting
Allen Bradley Endowed Scholarship in Business
Althouse Nesser K-Team Printing & Imaging Endowed Scholarship in Business
Angelo and Tricia Distefano Endowed Business Scholarship
Anil and Sudha Patel Endowed Scholarship in Business
Association of Government Accountants Baton Rouge Chapter Endowed Scholarship
Audrey and Nicholas Tournillon Endowed Scholarship in Business
Basil Owen Sweatt College of Business Alumni Chapter Endowed Scholarship
Berey Family Endowed Scholarship in Business
Bobby and Marsha Yarborough Endowed Scholarship
Boudreaux Family Endowed Scholarship for Future Leaders in Supply Chain Management
Byard Edwards MBA Scholarship
Chad Tate Endowed Scholarship in Management
Chander Kanta Duggal Endowed Scholarship in Finance
Charles & Patricia O'Drobinak Excellence in Accounting Endowed Scholarship
Charles C. Charlie Carter, III, Endowed Scholarship in the College of Business
Charles Wesley Merritt Scholarship in Business
Christina Smith Leto Endowed Scholarship in Supply Chain Management
Christina Smith Leto Sales Program Endowment
Christina Vachetta Buehler Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Christine Marie Gonzales Memorial Endowed Scholarship in Business
CoBank Endowed MBA Scholarship
Donald E. Martinez Endowed Scholarship in Accounting
Dorothy R. Lee Excellence in Business Endowed Scholarship
Dr. Joe Miller Endowed Scholarship in Sales
Elizabeth D & Jules C Lockhart, Sr , Endowed Scholarship in Accounting
Elizabeth D & Jules C Lockhart, Sr , Endowed Scholarship in Accounting
F Kenton Bueche Memorial Endowed Scholarship
First Guaranty Bank Endowed Scholarship in Business
Frances A. Payne Endowed Scholarship in Business
Freda O. Green Scholarship in Business
G. Dean Brunson and Judy C. Gavant Endowed Scholarship in Marketing
George A. Maier, Jr., Endowed Scholarship in Business
Harry and Audrey Gabriel Endowed Scholarship in Business
Hood Automotive Endowed Scholarship in Business
John & Beverly Manzella Endowed Scholarship in Business
John B Poche' Memorial Endowed Scholarship
ENDOWMENT SCHOLARSHIPS
Joseph & Anna Piediscalzo Endowed Scholarship in Business
Joseph A. Luquet, Jr., Excellence in Business Endowed Scholarship
Julien A. and Doris Evelyn Waller Tillery Endowed Scholarship in Business
Julius Prokop Endowed Presidential Level Scholarship in Accounting
Louisiana Society of CPAs Northshore Chapter Accounting Scholarship
Mike Pereira Distinguished MBA Graduate Award Endowed Scholarship
Neill Family Company Endowed Scholarship in Business
Patrick and Gail Ponder Endowed Scholarship in Business
Patsy Melancon Loupe & Patrick Lacy Loupe, Sr., Endowed Scholarship
Paul M. and DeNise S. Marek Endowed Scholarship in Finance or Accounting
R. K. Hoddinott Endowed Scholarship in Business and Technology
Richard & Mercedes Durham Endowed Scholarship in Accounting
Rodney C Galatas Endowed Scholarship
Rodney P LeBlanc Endowed Accounting Scholarship
Sarah Dosher Waters Scholarship in Accounting
Sidney & Andree Rosenblum Endowed Scholarship in Business
Sidney Paul Dugas Endowed Scholarship
Sims Family Endowed Scholarship in Business
Smitty's Supply, Inc., Endowed Scholarship in Accounting
Supply Chain Advisory Board Endowed Fund
Tom and Jane Akers Endowed Scholarship in Business
Wegmann-Dazet & Company Endowed Scholarship in Accounting
Willard & Inez Robertson Endowed Scholarship in Accounting (In Honor of Dr. R. Norval Garrett)
William F. Kingsmill, III, Excellence in Business Endowed Scholarship
William M. Bill Burch Endowed Scholarship in Accounting
TOP HIRING COMPANIES OF 2022-23
LaPorte CPAs & Business Advisors
Fastenal
Chick-fil-A
Hannis T. Bourgeois,LLP
Postlethwaite & Netterville
Republic Finance
Sherwin Williams Target Consolidated Electrical Distributors (CED) Cintas
First Guaranty Bank Iris PartnersL Louisiana
2023-24 COB INDIVIDUAL DONORS
Scott and Gwynne Adams
Tom and Jane Akers
Robert Alford
James T Amerson
Caley R Anderson
Jan and Fritz Anderson, II
Caleb and Alex Authement
Jaimie and Evan Bailey
Daniel T Baird, Jr
Dr. Aristides Baraya
Damona Barnes
Marcia Barr
Harris Beall
Carrie Benitez
Cindy and Ken Benitez
Antonio T Bennett
Joseph and Judy Berey
Cally and Corey Berner
Hart and Noelle Bordelon
Melissa Bordelon
Susan and Bob Braun
Amandah L Brown
Barry and Shirley Brown
Lisa G. Brown
Joel and Lynette Bruno
Shaun A Burns
Eric J Burnthorne, Jr
Dr Timothy D Butler
Caroline Roddy Cahill
Michael Cambre
Dawn E Cantrell and Daniel King
Alan and Kelsey Case
David Cavell
Steve Cory
Tonya Crombie
Lanell and David Crowell
Stanley Dameron
Lane and Tasha Daniel
Elaine Dares
Glenn de Gruy
Darryl and Rebecca DePaula
Calmer Dighton
Dr. Dean DiGregorio
Taylor G Dodge
2023-24
Anthony M Rutledge CPA LLC
Brandie L Domangue
Gerry and Amy Drago
Michael H DuBois
Bevann and Herbert Dubuisson
Alexis and Todd Ducorbier
Rob and Lesa Dugas
Britney R. Duke
Jason and Nicole Dunnington
Charlie Durand
Savannah Brown Ehrlich
Brittany and Bryan Elliser
Jared and Melanie Eusea
Tammy P Flowers
Kandace Formaggio
Megan K Foxworth
Lara Gardner
Megan K Foxworth
Lara Gardner
Jennifer Garner
Melanie D Gill
Sharon D. Gonzales
Dawn L Gulotta
Britt Harris
Jesse and Nicole Hawkins
Stella and Jay Helluin
Hannah B. Henderson
Dr and Mrs James H Honea
Terryl Hopper
Dr Daniel Hotard
Dina and Gerald Hoyt
Kalyn Hoyt
Dr Minh Huynh
Johnette Ippolito
Eldred E Jackson
Lisa Priez Jackson
Dennis and Alice James
Shannon Jenkins
Mary and Brandon Johnson
Josh Jones
Joshua W. Jones
Dr April and Jonathan Kemp
Keith and Missy Kennedy
Sydney L Koontz
Brenda Singletary Lakhani
Casey and Jason Lambert
Heather Lambert
Beezie and Jenny Landry
Justin P Langlois
Shelby and Marija LaSalle
Jason and Leah Latiolais
Steve and Wendy Lauderdale
Richard B Lavigne
Louis P Le Guyader
Bart and Angie Leader
Alex Leader
Robert W. Lee, Jr.
Dr Sang Lee
Sandra A Lelleck
Billy and Mary Linton
Cliff and Amber Lloyd
Alexa K Long
Carlos and Dr Tará Lopez
Alexis Lowery
Austin Martin
Addison R. Martinez
Tara R Matthews
Shawn Mauldin
Richard and Opal Castleberry Mayeux
Kristen S. Mayfield
Madeline A. Mayfield
Nick and Alicia McDaniel
Beth and Brad McDougal
Joelle McWilliams
Larry and Andra Meilleur
Teommi M Metz
Nyoki M Mokeba
Don and Daphne Monistere
Yvette and Craig Monistere
Jordan and Brittni Montz
Carmon and Su Ellan Moore
Jill C Munchausen
Marcus and Michelle Naquin
Chad M. Nethercutt
Maddison Oakes
Mr Charles J O’Drobinak, Jr
Jessica Reid Padgett
Cindy Amacker Poché
Gail Ponder
John and Georgianne Poteet
Shannon T. Pourciau
Vanessa Prentice
Andy and Susan Prude
Shane Purvis
Hannah Radecker
Pamela J. Radecker
Alaina and Ean Rainey
Charles and Frances Ravaglia
Brielle E Ricca
Lester and Devan Richoux
Mike Rivault
Garrick D Robert
Anselmo R Rodriguez
Megan and Chad Romano
Katherine and William Rose
Allen R Saltus, III
Edward J Schaumburg
John and Mala Schott
Kitsy and Tommy Schwartzmann
Khadija Sifelhak
Christopher S Simoneaux
Dr Les Singletary
Michael Sistrunk
Arthur M. Smith, Jr.
Stephen and Rhonda Smith
Jan and Doug Snyder
Dr Frances Staten
Michele and Wayne Sutton
Hannah M. Swetledge
Dr Ken Terrell
Dr Carlos Thomas
Nop Thongpreda
Jeremy and Dr Rebecca Troulliet
Leah M. Vallee
Renee Juneau Vernon
Michelle and Michael Watkins
Mr and Mrs Robert D Watkins
Dawn W. Watson
Alyssa E. Wenck
Richard R Whitson
Jonathan and Trang Wong
Paul E Woosley
Steve and Jill Worth
Dr John Yeargain
COB CORPORATE DONORS
Bank of America Charitable Gift Fund
Barriere Construction Co , LLC
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana
Bourgeois Bennett, LLC
CAD Consulting, LLC
Castine Center
CyberGrants
DHL Supply Chain
EisnerAmper Gulf Coast
Entergy Services, Inc.
Faulk and Winkler, LLC
First American Bank of Vacherie
First Guaranty Bank
Hammond Area Economic and Industrial
Development District
Hancock Whitney
Hannis T Bourgeois, LLP
International Paper Company
JW Transport, LLC
KPMG Peat Marwick Foundation
Kushner LaGraize, LLC
LaPorte CPAs and Business Advisors
Masco Corporation
NASPO
North Oaks Health System
Northshore Business Council, Inc
Northwestern Mutual Foundation
Ragan and Massey, Inc
Robbie Lee State Farm Agent
Robert A. Neilson CPA LLC
Sanderson Farms, Inc
Smitty’s Supply, Inc.
Society of Louisiana CPAs Northshore Chapter
St Tammany Parish Development District
State Farm Companies Foundation
Tangipahoa Economic Development Foundation, Inc.
Tangipahoa Parish Convention and Visitors Bureau
The Institute for Global and Domestic Development
The Traffic and Transportation Club of Baton Rouge
Triple G Express, Inc.
United Rentals, Inc
Walmart Distribution Center #6057
Wegmann-Dazet and Company
Wilson Warehouse
Zehnder Communications, Inc.
FACULTY SPOTLIGHTS
DR. TIM BUTLER
Dr Butler is originally from Orange, CT and arrived at the College of Business in Fall 2022 He is the co-coordinator of the Southeastern Professional Sales program, along with Dr April Kemp He has a Ph D in Marketing from the University of Alabama.
Dr. Butler prides himself on student engagement, and is one of the faculty advisors for the Southeastern chapter of the American Marketing Association & the Eta Tau chapter of Pi Sigma Epsilon He also is actively involved in coaching and preparing students for regional and national sales competitions
DR. MATTHEW ALFORD
Dr. Alford is the Director of the MBA Program. He has been an Economics instructor in the College of Business since 2007. He earned his Bachelor's degree and Ph.D in Applied Economics at Mississippi State University. He loves helping students look beyond the textbook examples to identify the economic logic behind the events of their daily lives
Dr. Alford is also a promoter of the opportunities available to students in the CoB. If he isn't teaching a class in Garrett Hall, you can probably find him at a Southeastern sporting event with his two daughters and his wife, Sarah.
DR. LISA BRADY
Dr Brady is originally from Folsom, LA and arrived at the College of Business as a Professor in Fall 2022. She has a Ph.D. in Management from the University of Alabama and a Master’s degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
Dr. Brady’s areas of interest within Management include employee well-being, organizational culture, diversity, and leadership In the classroom, she enjoys using experiential learning techniques, discussions, and developmental reflections to teach these concepts.
DR. SCOTT BURNS
Dr. Scott Burns is an economics professor from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He received his B.S. in economics and history from LSU and his masters and Ph D in economics from George Mason University in Fairfax, VA He has published more than a dozen academic articles and book chapters on topics related to money, financial innovation, sports economics, and entrepreneurship. He is the faculty advisor for SLU's Young Economists Society (YES). He also serves as the undergraduate coordinator for the COB and is a member of SLU's Teaching Excellence Team.
FIRST ANNUAL FALL FACULTY
RETREAT
Faculty prepared for the start of the Fall 2023 semester by participating in a retreat at the Solomon Episcopal Conference Center It was the perfect setting for connections and creativity Faculty were joined by Dr William Wainwright who offered perspective on his first 60 days in office and thoughts on the upcoming year.
FACULTY RETIREMENTS
The College of Business honored our retiring faculty Dr Jay Johnson, Dr Teri Root, Ms Kris Jones, and Dr. Mike Jones. We will miss them but we are grateful for the passion they put into their work and the impact they had on Southeastern and its students.
ANNUAL HOLIDAY LUNCHEON & FACULTY GOLDEN ACORN AWARDS
Golden Acorns Award: Aristides Baraya, David Bowes, Scott Burns, Tonya Crombie, Matthew Crook, Stella Helluin, Kris Jones, April Kemp, Robert Knights, Yvette Monistere, Jamie Vicknair, Juliana White
Distinguished Teaching Award: Mrs. Yvette Monistere
Distinguished Graduate Teaching Award: Dr Rusty Juban
Distinguished Service to Students Award: Dr. April Kemp
Innovation Award: Dr Danielle Lewis
GOLDEN ACORNS FOR TEACHING EXCELLENCE
In recognition of the vital role our faculty and staff play in the development of our students, we launched the Golden Acorn recognition awards. The name was inspired by the university’s Friendship Oak These awards celebrate those who go above and beyond, ensuring that the seeds they plant in our students today grow into the strong and resilient leaders of tomorrow.
Distinguished Community Engagement Award: Dr. Tonya Crombie
Societal Impact Award: Dr Aristides Baraya
Next Gen Faculty Award: Dr. Scott Burns
Distinguished Service to the College or University Award: Dr Russell McKenzie
Dr Bob Braun
Distinguished Scholar Award: Dr. Jen Morgan & Dr. Susan Zee
Dr. April Kemp
Dr. Li Peng
OUR MISSION
Distinguished Service to the Academy:
Dr. Lou Le Guyader
Honorable mention: Dr Lisa Brady
The mission of the College of Business at Southeastern Louisiana University is to engage and grow a community of learners through quality educational experiences while positively impacting the region we serve.
JANI-KING COB CRAWFISH BOIL
For the third year, Jani-King Gulf Coast has hosted the most anticipated event of the Spring semester - the annual crawfish boil! It was a great day and another reason we love being a part of the College of Business and our good friends at Jani-King Gulf Coast.
BOURBON AND BOUQUETS
Thanks to the generous support of Southern Glazers Wine & Spirits and Yellow Van Farms, the CoB welcomed over 100 business leaders and alumni to the first annual Bourbon & Bouquets for Business event to support our students. The event was also made possible by the planning committee composed of Chance Enmon, JJ O’Neil, and William and Destin Sims who created an educational tasting with over 20 varieties of Bourbons paired carefully with hors d'oeuvres provided by Aramark Catering
COB SOUTHLAND STUDENTATHLETE OF THE YEAR!
Congratulations to Austin Dunlap, MBA student and punter for the football team, on being named the Southland Conference Student-Athlete of the Year! This award recognizes Austin's outstanding achievements both on the field and in the classroom. Balancing the MBA program while excelling as a key player on the football team and Austin's dedication and hard work have clearly paid off. Way to LION UP! This remarkable accomplishment serves as an inspiration to all student-athletes striving for excellence in both their academic and athletic pursuits.
- 2022 FCS Punter of the Year Semifinalist - 2022 All-Southland Conference (First Team) - 2022 Southland Conference All-Academic Team - 2022 Southland Conference Special Teams Player of the Week (Sept. 5, Oct. 31)
- 2022 LSWA Special Teams Player of the Week (Oct. 31)
- 2022 Southland Commissioner’s Fall Academic Honor Roll
- 2021 HERO Sports FCS Sophomore All-American
- 2021 All-Southland Conference (Honorable Mention)
- 2021 Southland Conference Special Teams Player of the Week (Sept. 13, Nov. 1)
- 2021 Southland Commissioner’s Fall Academic Honor Roll - 2020 (Spring 2021) All-Southland Conference (Second Team)
- 2021 Southland Commissioner’s Spring Academic Honor Roll CAREER HONORS:
BUSINESS WEEK
The 2023 CoB Business Week was a remarkable success, filled with inspiration and learning Speakers included:
Adversity Means Opportunity, Russell Doussan, President Doussan Music Group, former President of Live Nation New Orleans
Becoming a Leader, Jason Latiolais, President, Barriere Construction
The Power of Community, Steve Cory, President of Cory Tucker & Larrowe, Inc., Maura Donahue, President, DonahueFavret Contractors Holding Company and Fmr. Chair of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
PANTSUIT POLITICS
The College welcomed Sarah Stewart Holland and Beth Silvers of the Pantsuit Politics Podcast, Winners of Apple Podcasts Best of 2021 and Authors of "I Think You’re Wrong (But I’m Listening): A Guide to Grace-Filled Political Conversation" for a conversation on "The Value of Disagreement" Division of Student Affairs and the College of Science and Technology helped to make this event possible.
# of Students enrolled in formal internship courses
COB GRADS - WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
1983
H Lloyd Cockerham, Jr (Management & Finance, 1983)
- President and Chief Executive Officer of Ascension Credit Union since 2015, celebrating 40 years as a banker Fmr President of 3 other Financial Institutions and the youngest Bank President in the state of Louisiana Past Board member of the Capital Area United Way, Girl Scouts Audubon Council, and the Livingston Economic Development Council; and the most rewarding was being a Scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts
2000s
Lindsey A Robinson-Jones (Business Management, 2002) - Sales and Business Development Manager, wife and mother of 2 boys, Robinson and Reese Jones
Tara R Nichols (Business Management, Human Resources minor, 2006) - Director of Human Resources: An HR Generalist, with expertise in ADA accommodations, LOAs, Worker's Comp, Benefits, Payroll, and Wellness
Tiffany Wells Ory (MBA - Controller/Treasurer, 2009)
A controller for a Woman Owned Small Business based out of Baton Rouge that does environmental consulting all over the US - mostly for governmental agencies
2010s
Laura Lynn Blount Carper (Human Resources Management, 2013) - Assistant Professor: I received my undergraduate degree in Human Resources Management with a 40 and the President's Medal of Excellence Next, I received my Masters degree in Organizational Communication in 2016 from Southeastern I earned a PhD in communication studies at LSU where I worked for four years, then at Louisiana Tech University for 25 years I have recently accepted an assistant professor position at Texas AMTexarkana I learned many skills that have helped me in higher education, and in the publishing world I now have a published book with Lexington Books, and another with Vernon Press Love Southeastern!
Branden Summers (Marketing,2014) - National Account Manager: I manage $25 million in Lumber Yard customers for the Hillman Group
Brandon Turner (Marketing, 2015)Drafting/Estimator/Detailer
Carolyn Lipscomb (BA Management - Concentration HR, 2015) - Human Resources Specialist: I have obtained my SHRM-CP, and I have been working in HR for 5+ years now
Jeremy Dunbar (Business Management: HR concentration, 2015) - HR Manager: Served as the chair of the Alumni Gold Council because of the path that the College of Business created for me
Maghan McGraw (Business Administration 2018)Financial Analyst: I moved to Denver, Colorado right after graduation and began my career at Brown Brothers Harriman as a Fund Accountant Shortly after, I became a Financial Analyst at ALPS, a subsidiary of SS&C Technologies I am currently a Financial Analyst for ARB Midstream I work on a 3person finance team and am responsible for the majority of the day-to-day financial duties I generate comprehensive analyses for the multiple subsidiaries under ARB Midstream & am responsible for the entire company's operating & capital expenditure budget
Caitlin Pepperman White (Bachelors in Business Administration, 2019) - Claims Adjuster: Once I graduated, i continued on and got my masters degree! Its been a wonderful journey and it’s all thanks to Southeastern!
Joshua Magliolo (Business Administration, 2019)Territory Sales Manager/ Medical Device Sales
Matlin Amphion Doussan (Accounting / MBA, 2019)Senior Accountant: My husband and I moved to SC 3 years ago to raise our kids (our girls will be taught to say “Lion Up” since Southeastern is the reason I met my husband) closer to family I got my job starting out as a staff accountant and have worked my way up to the senior accountant I love my job They’re so relaxed and allow me so much opportunity
Michael J Sharpe (Double, supply chain management, and marketing with concentration and professional sales 2019) - Founder, owner, operator, Dynamics , Driving school, LLC
My time at Southeastern was amazing I was an ambassador for the college of business I did study abroad, in France , Spain, and Costa Rica I received 1 of 17 alumni Association awards in fall of 2019 After graduation, I created my own state approved Driving school, Dynamics Driving school LLC in Covington Louisiana I currently have over 15 employees I represent Southeastern anytime I can I truly had an amazing time
2020s
Adelle Allen (Marketing, 2020) - Implementations Specialist: I work at NextGen Healthcare and advise doctors on their monthly data on certain information they have to submit yearly to the government I aggregate data, make it look nice, explain it, and offer my advice on anything the doctor can improve on I absolutely love my job! I work from home and have an awesome team
Aurora Olvera Kinchen (MBA, 2020) - Client Strategy Manager: I work for Enterprise Fleet Management a division of Enterprise Mobility the largest transportation provider in the world I manage client fleet portfolios totaling 25 million dollars for commercial and government clients headquartered in Louisiana
Megan Caillouet (Marketing with a concentration in Social Media & Advertising, 2020) - Digital Media Manager: I work as a Digital Media Manager for Deep Fried Advertising! My role allows me to work closely with notable businesses such as Tulane Doctors, Drago’s Seafood Restaurant, Gretna Festival, Access Health Louisiana, and much more I’m proud to rep Southeastern at my agency and brag about the College of Business every chance I get (even when Im doing guest lectures at LSU!)
Victoria Gautreaux (Marketing w/ Advertising concentration, 2020) - Advertising Analyst: I currently work as an advertising analyst at Dealercom, owned by Cox Automotive I work hands on (remotely) with car dealerships across the nation to review and adjust their SEM strategy
Courtney Daze (Accounting & Finance, 2021) - Tax Senior at Hannis T Bourgeois: I passed my CPA Exam in October of 2022
Kami Aguilar Magliolo (Marketing, 2021) - Social Media Specialist: Thanks to my marketing degree I landed an amazing job with Southeasterns College of Science & Technology as the Social Media Specialist I love utilizing my skills and giving back to the university!
Madison Kron (BA in Human Resource Management, 2022) - Human Resource Manager: I started my career as the Human Resource Manager at the Louisiana State Senate after graduating I am beyond thankful for my time spent at SLU, it prepared me for such a great career
Emily Stark (Marketing - Professional Sales, 2023)Marketing Development Representative: I am currently an MDR at Sazerac Inc
Madelyn Bernard (MBA, 2023) - Pre-Construction Coordinator: Since graduation, I have found a wonderful job with a great company
Jesse Demars (Marketing - Professional Sales, 2023)Market Development Rep: Couldn’t be happier with the degree program I choose and the overall career trajectory that it has placed me on The Professional Sales program helped land a position where I feel financially free! Some notable accomplishments over the past year have been owning a home, buying a new car, and traveling to multiple European countries The CoB is full of great opportunities as long as you’re willing to seek out the connection during your studies
Kate Butler (Bachelors in Business Admin, 2023)Claims Administrator at Bishop & Associates LLC: I am currently working at Bishop & Associates LLC as a Claims Administrator I am also working towards my masters degree in the meantime from Southeastern I am also getting married at the end of the year!
Beyonce' James (Marketing, 2024) - Bank Teller at Hancock Whitney: After my time at Southeastern, I decided to dive into the banking industry since it was very interesting to me Being a bank teller and helping people reach their financial goals have been a great experience working with a highly dedicated team
Carter Growl (Supply Chain Management, 2024)Global Sourcing Associate: Southeastern was a great experience that prepared me well for my role
Julia Marcus (MBA, 2024) - Associate Underwriter at Amwins-New Orleans: I am working as a commercial lines associate underwriter
