May 2020

One of LU’s newer hires is a super soccer sensation home after a stint in Sweden, but she’ll never tell you that. Neither will Tara Austin share that she recently qualified for the Boston Marathon or that she raised $5,000 for local organizations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the accomplished athlete does get animated when talking about LU athletics, her role as an academic specialist for the Lamar Cardinals and what she looks forward to when the pandemic is over. Tara, a Beaumont native, graduated from Kelly Catholic High School where she was an award-winning soccer player. She attended Belmont University in Nashville, playing soccer for the Bruins.

As the assistant director of scheduling, operations, & event services of the Setzer Student Center, Paula McNeel is a truly essential worker of Lamar University.

Since he was five years old, Kevin McGee has had a passion for making videos. Now, storytelling is part of his career as the video coordinator for Lamar University.

As the face of the LU Undergraduate Advising Center, Missy Barnes is passionate about helping students grow and succeed at Lamar University.