Search for better opportunities brought students to LSUS, graduation stage

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Search for better opportunities brought students to LSUS, graduation stage

BOSSIER CITY - Bahamas native Taleaha Vega found LSUS the way so many international students do - a recommendation from a friend.

The Master of Public Health student was one of an LSUS record 1,558 graduates to earn degrees Friday at Brookshire Grocery Arena, but Vega isn't jet-setting back to her Bahamas home.

She has a job offer with LSU Health's Center for Brain Health as a research associate, an opportunity to stay and work in Shreveport.

"I'm going to be part of dementia and Parkinson's research," Vega said. "We want to educate and provide resources for people and their caregivers.

"I didn't have the opportunity to use my bachelor's degree in chemistry back home, and I wasn't working in my field. I was looking for a better opportunity. It was a culture shock coming here, but LSUS is diverse and I've enjoyed my time here."

Vega is one of 69 international students from 31 different countries to earn a degree from LSUS this fall.

Louisiana natives represented more than one-third of LSUS's graduating class, and Louisiana Commissioner of Higher Education Dr. Kim Hunter Reed said the Pelican State will be proud no matter where graduates' careers take them.

"Today as you cross this stage, remember that your success is our success. Louisiana is better and brighter because of you. We need you and your talent in our state, and I hope you will be part of the next amazing chapter in Louisiana. But wherever your degree and talent takes you, Louisiana and LSUS is proud."

Shreveport native Aaron Terrell wants to build the communities in which he grew up.

The Green Oaks High graduate earned his bachelors in secondary education and plans to teach algebra or geometry in Caddo Parish.

"It's overwhelming sometimes because I want to measure up to the teachers I had (in Caddo Parish), and I want to do the same for my students that my teachers did for me," Terrell said. "I've always been a numbers guy, and I want to pass that on to my students.

"I also want to pursue a master's in education leadership and be a principal someday."

Creating better opportunities is a major motivator for students to pursue college degrees, whether students follow the traditional route straight out of high school or return to complete bachelor's or master's degrees.

Kelley Bridges works in public utility law in Chicago, and the Mississippi native hopes to one day see her own name on the wall of a law firm or business.

Bridges completed an MBA online despite working long hours.

"The flexibility of this program was a big deal for me," Bridges said. "I work with a lot of qualitative data and do economic forecasting, so an MBA aligned with my bachelor's in economics and my current job.

"An MBA puts me in the right place, whether I want to move into business operations of a law firm or go to law school and start my own firm one day."

Danielle Stauffer Neville is in the infant stages of running an event business with her mom back in Virginia.

Neville said the two years to complete the MBA with a marketing concentration was a little longer than she wanted, but then again, she underwent brain surgery during the program.

"It's definitely a big accomplishment," said Neville, who also got married to her beau Austin while enrolled. "I wanted to come to LSU out of high school, and my favorite color is purple, but when it came time to look for a master's programs, I looked at LSU and connected with LSUS.

"My mom and I have a one-stop shop for events. Mom handles IT and computers, and the MBA with a marketing focus fits with my background in digital media arts."

The Nevilles have a party all their own on their Virginia farm, which includes 48 chickens, three turkeys, seven ducks, five dogs and 14 cats.

Robert Tucker has East Coast connections as a former producer on ABC's "Good Morning America."

The Atlanta native aims to pair his journalism and digital media background with his newly minted MBA to open content creation studios in cities that have been important to him.

"Shreveport would be on that list, as well as Atlanta, Tallahassee (Florida A&M graduate), New York City and St. Louis, where I have family," Tucker said. "I've always wanted to own my own business, and I asked myself do I really have the knowledge to do that.

"Well I found LSUS's program and how affordable it was. I received a scholarship a few weeks after applying, and that was that."

Tucker's father beamed in the background with pride as family support has been a crucial element to many graduates' journeys.

Jeanette Murillo credited her husband Brian with essentially raising their elementary-aged twins while she pursued an MBA with an accounting concentration.

The Baton Rouge resident is undergoing training for her new job as a revenue agent with the Internal Revenue Service.

"We made a lot of sacrifices, and I had to miss family events to do schoolwork," said Murillo, who previously operated her own bookkeeping business. "It's not an easy path, but I've never felt this much pride.

"In my Filipino culture, education is very important. I want my children to value and recognize the importance of education and want them to follow."

Murillo came to the U.S. from the Philippines as an adult to reconnect with her mother in San Francisco, but a different kind of love brought her to Louisiana to put down roots with her "Cajun."

Stephanie Tallman knows something about motherly devotion as her mom flew in from England to celebrate her completion of a masters in nonprofit administration.

Tallman, a New Jersey resident, appreciated the support she received from LSUS staff that allowed her to be more at ease as an online student.

"From the minute I applied, I was supported by my admissions coach and then my student success coach," said Tallman, who added that the nonprofit program's accreditation with the Nonprofit Academic Centers Council was a deciding factor to attend. "Being a remote student, it's so important to have that support to bridge the gap of not being here in person.

"LSUS is here to support its students - you're not on your own."

Tia Davis is familiar with support as a counseling intern at the David Wade Correctional Center in Claiborne Parish.

Davis completed the Master of Counseling at LSUS and accepted a full-time position with the prison.

"It's awesome to see the difference we can make in the way offenders think," Davis said. "You can see their growth through one-on-one therapy and other avenues.

"Some may need help with parenting, some with anger management, and some just need to talk. We're setting them up for life after incarceration, and it's rewarding to get to know them."