LU Moment: Beyond the Podcast with the Smith-Hutson Scholars Program
November 14, 2024 | by John Rollins
On this week’s episode of the LU Moment, we caught up with Scholarship Coordinator for LU’s Office of Student Aid, Janea Nelson.
In this Q&A session, we delve deeper into the Smith-Hutson Scholars Program and how it impacts LU and beyond.
Missed this week’s episode? You can listen to it at https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2056925/episodes/16098980-lu-moment-cardinal-couple-check-in-with-the-nelsons-s7-ep-39.
Q: What are some major accomplishments of the Smith-Hutson scholarship program at Lamar University?
A: Our scholars are truly incredible, and I could brag about them all day if you let me. However, I have two major accomplishments to note. First, the program has graduated over 100 scholars in the 12 years they have been established at Lamar University. Plus, our graduation rate from the Smith-Hutson scholarship program is over 70%.
Second, for the first time in Smith-Hutson program history, we had one cohort complete their first year together without losing a student. Last academic year, 2023-2024, Smith-Hutson welcomed 14 students to the program, and we are proud to say all 14 are still in the program, thriving, and making a difference.
Q: What were some of the things about the Smith-Hutson Scholars Program that you didn’t have enough time to share about during the podcast interview?
A: Our program equips each incoming Smith-Hutson scholar with a current Smith-Hutson scholar to have as their PAL (Peer Assistance and Leadership Program). This partnership allows our experienced scholars to help our new students learn what resources campus has to offer, and help the new students feel more at home on campus. Our PALs are typically matched within the same college or degree program to assist with studying and other guidance throughout their program of study.
Q: What are some ways that former Smith-Hutson scholars (alumni) can stay involved with the program after they graduate?
A: Our Smith-Hutson alumni can come back to assist with interviewing our newest scholars when we interview in the spring semesters. We also have opportunities each fall semester for our alumni to return and speak at our Annual Smith-Hutson Banquet, and our freshman 101 class.
Q: Could you explain some of the leadership advantages of the program and what resources are in place to help the students grow both personally and professionally?
A: Our scholars have many leadership opportunities within our Smith-Hutson program. First, I have one scholar as my student assistant for our freshman 101 class each fall semester. The student assistant helps with interviewing students, grading presentations, and helping our new scholars with anything they need. They have a unique opportunity to get to know our newest scholars and gain leadership experience which is a wonderful resume addition.
We also have two/three volunteer opportunities throughout each semester. This semester we volunteered at the Humane Society of Southeast Texas, helping take care of the animals and give them some much needed attention and love. Each volunteer opportunity has a coordinator which is one of our scholars. This scholar oversees check in and check out, takes photos, and assists with anything else as needed.
Lastly, we have an event coordinator. This scholar will help me plan events for our program. We host 1-2 events (outside of volunteer opportunities) each semester. They help with organizing the event prior to the event, and day of tasks.
Our students are thriving at Lamar University, volunteering, working, and giving back whenever the opportunity presents itself. We are so proud of our Smith-Hutson Scholars.
I love serving the foundation and our scholars. I help and guide these students through some of the hardest moments of life, a death in the family, breakups, second thoughts about their degree path, and much more. Through the past two years as the Smith-Hutson scholarship coordinator, these students have shown me perseverance, and strength. They take a once in a lifetime opportunity and make the most of it.
In this Q&A session, we delve deeper into the Smith-Hutson Scholars Program and how it impacts LU and beyond.
Missed this week’s episode? You can listen to it at https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2056925/episodes/16098980-lu-moment-cardinal-couple-check-in-with-the-nelsons-s7-ep-39.
Q: What are some major accomplishments of the Smith-Hutson scholarship program at Lamar University?
A: Our scholars are truly incredible, and I could brag about them all day if you let me. However, I have two major accomplishments to note. First, the program has graduated over 100 scholars in the 12 years they have been established at Lamar University. Plus, our graduation rate from the Smith-Hutson scholarship program is over 70%.
Second, for the first time in Smith-Hutson program history, we had one cohort complete their first year together without losing a student. Last academic year, 2023-2024, Smith-Hutson welcomed 14 students to the program, and we are proud to say all 14 are still in the program, thriving, and making a difference.
- Jocelyn Dinh - Mechanical Engineering
- Brian Jackson Jr. - Electrical Engineering
- Lilly Jones - Psychology
- Myana Libbett - Computer Science
- Jazmin Lua - Marketing
- Joey Mann - Construction Management
- Tiffany McDonald - Accounting
- Tanayia Nelson - Nursing
- Terry Osteen - Marketing
- Elena Rodriguez - Studio Art Education
- Sebastian Rodriguez - Mechanical Engineering
- Phiderric Stidom - Biology
- Timothy Trammell - Criminal Justice
- Ryan Woodland - Environmental Science
Q: What were some of the things about the Smith-Hutson Scholars Program that you didn’t have enough time to share about during the podcast interview?
A: Our program equips each incoming Smith-Hutson scholar with a current Smith-Hutson scholar to have as their PAL (Peer Assistance and Leadership Program). This partnership allows our experienced scholars to help our new students learn what resources campus has to offer, and help the new students feel more at home on campus. Our PALs are typically matched within the same college or degree program to assist with studying and other guidance throughout their program of study.
Q: What are some ways that former Smith-Hutson scholars (alumni) can stay involved with the program after they graduate?
A: Our Smith-Hutson alumni can come back to assist with interviewing our newest scholars when we interview in the spring semesters. We also have opportunities each fall semester for our alumni to return and speak at our Annual Smith-Hutson Banquet, and our freshman 101 class.
Q: Could you explain some of the leadership advantages of the program and what resources are in place to help the students grow both personally and professionally?
A: Our scholars have many leadership opportunities within our Smith-Hutson program. First, I have one scholar as my student assistant for our freshman 101 class each fall semester. The student assistant helps with interviewing students, grading presentations, and helping our new scholars with anything they need. They have a unique opportunity to get to know our newest scholars and gain leadership experience which is a wonderful resume addition.
We also have two/three volunteer opportunities throughout each semester. This semester we volunteered at the Humane Society of Southeast Texas, helping take care of the animals and give them some much needed attention and love. Each volunteer opportunity has a coordinator which is one of our scholars. This scholar oversees check in and check out, takes photos, and assists with anything else as needed.
Lastly, we have an event coordinator. This scholar will help me plan events for our program. We host 1-2 events (outside of volunteer opportunities) each semester. They help with organizing the event prior to the event, and day of tasks.
Our students are thriving at Lamar University, volunteering, working, and giving back whenever the opportunity presents itself. We are so proud of our Smith-Hutson Scholars.
I love serving the foundation and our scholars. I help and guide these students through some of the hardest moments of life, a death in the family, breakups, second thoughts about their degree path, and much more. Through the past two years as the Smith-Hutson scholarship coordinator, these students have shown me perseverance, and strength. They take a once in a lifetime opportunity and make the most of it.