The Leadership EXCEL program hosted this year’s fourth session on Wednesday, April 17th, focusing on Education & Workforce Development.
The morning portion began in Jennings where the class received an update from the Jeff Davis Parish Superintendent, John Hall on the Jeff Davis Parish School System and the new half cent sales tax to build the new Jennings Elementary School. The class then traveled over to SOWELA Technical Community College where the class received program updates as well as a tour of the facility with Kylie Schmaltz, Instructional Site Coordinator.
The afternoon was held at Louisiana State University at Eunice, where campus leadership welcomed the class over lunch. Participants heard from the Interim Chancellor, Dr. William Crowe; Public Relations Director, Van Reed; Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Dr. Renee Robichaux; Director of Economic Development & Continuing Education, Patton Griffith; Dean of Student Affairs, Dr. Kyle Smith and Executive Director of the LSUE Foundation, Carey Lawson. Leadership EXCEL also had the privilege of hearing from the District 7 Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Representative, Dr. Holly Boffy. Their visit to LSUE ended with a tour of the beautiful campus.
The class concluded their day at First National Bank in Crowley where they heard from the Director of Individual Giving with United Way of Acadiana, Laurie Suire. Suire spoke on the programming United Way offers to education in Acadiana and our youth. She focused more so on the “Leader in Me” program, which has shown to move mountains in the education system today.
The EXCEL program is hosted by the Acadia Parish Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the Jeff Davis Chamber of Commerce and thanks to the following sponsors, the Leadership EXCEL program is possible. The 2018 Sponsors are as follows: Acadia General Hospital and Lafayette General Health, First National Bank, Jennings American Legion Hospital, Encore Healthcare and Rehabilitation, Acadia Parish Farm Bureau, Acadia Parish Assessor Jimbo Petitjean, The Bank, Bank of Commerce, Dugas, Solieau & Breaux CPA Firm, Rayne Building & Loan, Farmers State Bank, First Guaranty Bank, E.L. Habetz Builders, Carmichael’s Cashway Pharmacy.
