College of Arts and Sciences

Leadership, Community, and Communication

Mission Statement

We build bridges of communication between students and faculty in order to better understand the Lamar University community with a focus on empowerment towards leadership and success.

Leadership, Community, and Communication Committee

 

Spring 2024

Date: Thursday, April 25, 2024

Time: 12:45 PM - 1:45 PM

Location: Maes Building, room 107

Description: Please join us as student athletes take the lead and share their insights and experiences with navigating the intersection of academics and athletics.

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Committee Members

Chairs

Department of English & Modern Languages
Adam Nemmers

Department of Social Work
Angela Clavijo

Department of Biology
Ana Christensen

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Ozge Gunaydin

Department of Computer Science
Jing Zhang
Kami Makki

Department of History
Mark Mengerin

JoAnne Gay Dishman School of Nursing
Sommer Shackelford

Department of Mathematics
Robert Vallin
PJ Couch

Department of Physics
Binod Nainabasti

Department of Political Science
Dan Qi
Department of Psychology
Jeremy Shelton

Sociology Program
Chiung-Fang Chang
Garrick Harden

Criminal Justice Program
Mark Broome

Leadership, Community and Communication Initiatives

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College Initiatives

Fall 2023

The committee hosted an event where a small group of students taught faculty about their language and how they use technology in their classes and lives.

Department Initiatives

Strategic community initiative each department will pursue in the 2023 - 2024 academic year.

Biology
Initiative: Faculty meetings each long semester devoted to improving student access/success
When: Once annually- Fall or Spring
Who: Biology faculty
Measurement: Event completion

Chemistry & Biochemistry
Initiative: Initiate Careers in Chemistry forum, invite chemists from industry
When: Every year, fall or spring
Who: TBA
Measurement: Feedback from students

Computer Science
Initiative: Encourage students to leave Google reviews for the department online, providing valuable information for prospective students. Utilize the monitor wall to showcase department news, job opportunities, and upcoming student activities.
When: Y23-24
Who: CS Department and advisor.
Measurement: Exit Survey and Interview for graduating students.

Earth and Space Sciences
Initiative: Work with the ESPS student organization (LUGS) to encourage leadership roles, undertake community-based extracurricular activities, and increase opportunities for LUGS to advertise academic programs and opportunities in the department.
When: Spring 24
Who:

Joe Kruger, Carla Tucker
Measurement:
  • More than one or two LUGS officers or other members leading LUGS events.
  • Increase by more than one LUGS community-oriented activities.
  • Increased participation of LUGS in academic advertising opportunities such as student booths, high school visits, and speaking with high school counselors or Lamar recruiters.

English and Modern Languages
Initiative: Attendance at New Student Orientations, Cardinal View, End of academic year celebration for English and Modern Languages with guest speakers, Attendance at Centennial Celebration with tables set up to promote English and Modern Languages Programs, Re-Implementation of Graduate Director position
When:

Summer ‘23/Fall ‘23/

Summer and Fall 2024
Who:

John Rutherford, Adam Nemmers, Sara Hillin, Reilly Smith, Elia Hatfield, Gabriela Properzi
Measurement: Increased numbers of majors and minors in our various programs, increased student knowledge of career paths based on degree programs and enhanced understanding of course offerings.

History
Initiative:
  1. Center for History and Culture Presentations
  2. Activities of student ambassadors and History Club
When: Academic Year 2023-2024
Who:
  1. Certain faculty
  2. History majors
Measurement:
  1. Number of people attending
  2. Number of events, number of participants

JoAnne Gay Dishman School of Nursing
Initiative: Nursing students enrolled in NURS 4241 will plan and implement a rural health education fair
When: May 2024
Who: Nursing students enrolled in NURS 4241
Measurement: Nursing students enrolled in NURS 4241 will plan and implement a rural health education fair

Mathematics
Initiative: Create bulletin board of exceptional/new mathematics
When: Fall 2023/Spring 2024
Who: Vallin, et al.
Measurement: Replace existing “research” bulletin board with one highlighting current mathematics, student work, etc.

Physics
Initiative: Recruit more African American physics majors through the Cole’s DOE grant
When: Now
Who: All Faculty
Measurement: Recruitment, Retention, and Graduation of Students

Political Science
Initiative: Bring in community leaders to speak to our major.
When: All year
Who: Sara Gubala
Measurement: Did events occur. 

Psychology
Initiative: Psychology Clinic outreach & education session (e.g., coping with chronic stress) open to members of Beaumont community
When: Spring 2024
Who: Dr. Melanie Webb (Clinic Director), Neera Momin, Sydnie Born, Kristen-Tran (3rd year graduate students)
Measurement: Number of attendees from Beaumont area (not affiliated with LU). Number of clients who end up consulting with clinic because of the event.

Sociology, Social Work and Criminal Justice
Initiative: Faculty members will participate in the Flip-the-Script activity to gain better knowledge and understanding of current students.
When: November 9, 2023
Who: Faculty from each program will participate and share experiences with their respective program
Measurement: Participation in the Flip-the-Script event and sharing of the experience with faculty