Central Executive Officers

 

President: Professor Najoua K. Hotard, Ph.D.

Dr. Najoua Hotard is the President and founder of the Institute of Critical Languages and cultural Exchange.  Her areas of specialty include linguistics, World Languages curriculum design and instruction, teacher training, and diversity training. Before the foundation of ICLCE, Dr. Hotard taught French Advanced Placement classes and Arabic for the East Baton Rouge School System. She taught as visiting Arabic and French adjunct professor at Tulane and Loyola Universities in New Orleans. Dr. Hotard experiences include serving as Reader for ETS/College Board Literature and Advanced language examinations. Najoua, a native of Tunisia, has completed her graduate studies at the Ecole Normale Superieure in Tunis, University of New Orleans, and Louisiana State University. She conducted her doctoral research in the area of International Relations/Middle Eastern Studies and French Literature and Business. 93. She Taught the College Board Advanced Placement French language and served as Reader for ETS/College Board Literature and Advanced language examinations.   As highly qualified professional, Najoua Hotard served her community in many capacities. She served on the committees which developed 9-12 foreign language curriculum as well as the LA State Foreign Language standards and Benchmarks. Professor Hotard developed the Arabic language curriculum for the public school systems in Louisiana. She served as a Diversity trainer for the EBRS system and the Office of Strategic Initiatives at LSU. She works closely with Teach Baton Rouge Summer Institute as Teacher Advisor, Content Seminar Leader, and co-Director. Dr Hotard presentations and research focus on equity education, outreach, and use of authentic materials in the language classroom. She is the recipient of many honors including selection for the FBI Citizen Academy in New Orleans, Clara Tucker Award for Women in Behavioral Sciences, National Endowment for the Humanities Scholar; Eunice Kennedy Shriver Special Olympics Recognition; U.S. State Department Person of the Month, National Geographic funded project entitled "Strengths in Diversity." Under Dr. Hotard’s leadership, the Institute of Critical Languages and Cultural Exchange has received STARTALK $100.000.00 for 2008, 2009, and 2011.  Dr. Hotard is actively engaged in many organizations including, National Council for International Visitors (NCIV), New Orleans Citizen Diplomacy Council (NOCDC), and the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign languages (ACTFL).  ICLCE goal is to connect youth, especially from the Historically Underrepresented groups to opportunities related to critical languages and culture, global citizenship, and various programs related to National Language Initiative. 

 

Director of Programs: Troy Hotard, Art & Culture Specialist

    A professional artist for over 25 years, Troy Hotard describes himself as a Post-Modern Renaissance artist and professional educator. He mastered a wide variety of media and techniques. These include everything from, oil paint, watercolors, and mixed media to graphite, stained glass, and bronze casting. Troy Hotard can also work in various styles ranging from photorealistic to impressionist to total abstraction. Recently, Troy has concentrated on his main passion: Scuba Diving. Through this new genre artwork, he hopes to raise awareness and educate the public about the beauty and fragile nature of the ocean's coral reef systems, and the sheer wonder of discovery through scuba diving. To him, the ocean represents the last frontier to be explored and protected. Troy Hotard is bringing a representation of this modern vanishing wilderness to the general public. He is a passionate supporter of several organizations that seek to protect the world's reefs and marine ecosystems, such as the Reef Check Foundation, Dive for the Cure, and Save the Manta. It is Troy's hope that his donations of original paintings to these organizations will help raise awareness regarding the vulnerability of the world's reefs as well as stressing the urgency of safeguarding the underwater world, which is crucial to our own survival. As an educator, Troy Hotard is an Artist in Residence for the East Baton Rouge Parish Gifted and Talented Program. For the last 7 years, Troy's innovative approach to art education has earned him the College Board Sponsored Katrina Scholarship and certification in Teaching Advanced Placement Art History at the Art College in Chicago. His method incorporates higher order thinking skills implemented by his design of unique interdisciplinary units. His travel throughout Europe, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, North Africa, the Middle East and the Far East has afforded him the possibility to assemble a unique slide collection that enhances his lectures and presentations. Troy Hotard is the president of Troy Hotard Art Studio (www.troyhotard.com) and of the Troy Hotard Foundation, Inc. The West Baton Rouge Parish Library and the West Baton Rouge Parish Museum both house permanent collection. Troy Hotard Art Studio is one of the 2009 recipients of the National Endowment for the Humanities grant “Picturing America.” Troy Hotard designs the curriculum, lesson plans, and assessment rubrics for STARTALK Islamic and Arabesque art units. Troy Hotard Foundation, Inc and ICLCE will implement youth programs combining critical language acquisition and reef protection projects in several countries around the world. Director I: Troy Hotard A professional artist for over 25 years, Troy Hotard describes himself as a Post-Modern Renaissance artist because he has mastered a wide variety of media and techniques. These include everything from, oil paint, watercolors, and mixed media to graphite, stained glass, and bronze casting. Troy Hotard can also work in various styles ranging from photorealistic to impressionist to total abstraction. Recently, Troy has concentrated on his main passion: Scuba Diving. Through this new genre artwork, he hopes to raise awareness and educate the public about the beauty and fragile nature of the ocean's coral reef systems, and the sheer wonder of discovery through scuba diving. To him, the ocean represents the last frontier to be explored and protected. Troy Hotard is bringing a representation of this modern vanishing wilderness to the general public. He is a passionate supporter of several organizations that seek to protect the world's reefs and marine ecosystems, such as the Reef Check Foundation, Dive for the Cure, and Save the Manta. It is Troy's hope that his donations of original paintings to these organizations will help raise awareness regarding the vulnerability of the world's reefs as well as stressing the urgency of safeguarding the underwater world, which is crucial to our own survival. As an educator, Troy Hotard is an Artist in Residence for the East Baton Rouge Parish Gifted and Talented Program. For the last 7 years, Troy's innovative approach to art education has earned him the College Board Sponsored Katrina Scholarship and certification in Teaching Advanced Placement Art History at the Art College in Chicago. His method incorporates higher order thinking skills implemented by his design of unique interdisciplinary units. His travels throughout Europe, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, North Africa, the Middle East, and the Far East have afforded him the possibility to assemble a unique slide collection that enhances his lectures and presentations. Many examples of his work can be seen in his hometown of Port Allen, Louisiana where he designed the logo for the West Baton Rouge Parish Recreation Department as well as logos for several other local businesses, including numerous public murals. The West Baton Rouge Parish Library and the West Baton Rouge Parish Museum both house permanent collection.

Professional Educators Leading ICLCE Programs

 

 Dr. Sarita Mehta, Hindi Language & Culture Specialist

     Professor Sarita Mehta is an eminent artist, published poet, and writer of Hindi and Punjabi Literature. She is the Director of Vidya Dham dedicated to World Peace and harmony and sharing the unique Indian social and cultural value. Sarita produces mixed -media art. Her art conveys the message of global peace, brotherhood, and spirituality. Dr. Mehta has MA degree in education, MA degree in Religious Education (divinity), and Masters Fine Art from Panjabi University, Patiala,. She received her Doctoral degree from Panjab University in Chandigarh. Professor Sarita Mehta also has Diploma in Journalism and Advance Diploma in Russian Language. Her twenty-five years college level teaching experience in Fine Arts and Hindi at various prestigious institutions of higher learning in India and New York earned her the position of Hindi Language curriculum design and assessment specialist at ICLCE. Dr. Mehta is a dedicated teacher and academician of long standing. She taught at over two decades in Dev Samaj College of Education in Chandigarh and was Senior Lecturer before migrating to USA. She has a rich experience of organizing and conducting educational workshops, seminars and conferences at national and international levels, and has contributed a number of research papers and monographs in reputed journals in the field of fine arts and education. Also she has organized many kavi Samelanes and cultural programs in USA and India. Her publications include “Aao Hindi Sikhen”(Let us Learn Hindi) he Hotard Foundation, she will be responsible for implementing the global citizenship goals of the foundation projects in Hindi,Urdu, and Pashtu speaking regions.

 Dr. Karen Nichols, Language & Culture Technology Specialist, Online Education Programmer

Karen Nichols received her doctorate in Romance Languages in 2000 from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  She then began with great enthusiasm her position working with International Students in the University of New Orleans Office of Admissions where she’s also an alumna.  (She received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in French at UNO.)  For the next five years, Karen would be learning about Immigration Regulations and the world’s education systems as she evaluated international credentials and assisted with the Intensive English program, Study Abroad and various programs of International Exchange.  During her tenure with International Students and the Office of Admissions, Karen was also an adjunct instructor of French for UNO’s Department of Foreign Languages and a part-time French and Spanish instructor for the newly organized Louisiana Virtual School, an online secondary school that is an outgrowth of the TeleLearning Program with which Karen was previously employed.  Karen’s technical experience was put to use and enhanced with her full-time, online teaching position.  LVS uses Blackboard as its platform and she has co-developed the French 1 and 2 courses that are currently being used as well as assisting in adapting the French 3 and AP French courses.  Using a variety of Web 2.0 tools, multi-media,  conferencing software, and avatars, Karen strives to keep the online courses on the cutting edge of technology, interesting for the students, and also accessible for the students with learning disabilities, especially the visually and hearing impaired.  In all, Karen has twenty years of experience in distance education and has worked with a variety of media in both synchronous and asynchronous learning environments.  In addition to working full-time with LVS, Karen is currently an adjunct instructor at Xavier University of Louisiana, and a civilian instructor of French for the 415^th MI (Bn) of the Louisiana Army National Guard.  Previously, Karen has directed and taught in summer institutes for Teachers of French through CODOFIL, and served as an assistante for UNO’s former study abroad program the Glories of France.  The value of students traveling and studying abroad is more pertinent and valuable than ever before.    

Dr. Kevin Mulcahy, Political Culture Specialist

    Dr. Kevin Mulcahy is the Sheldon Beychok Distinguished Professor of Political Science at Louisiana State University. His research focuses on public policy with specific emphases on governments and the arts and comparative cultural policymaking. His areas of expertise also include American foreign policymaking and cultural diplomacy. Professor Mulcahy was named Fulbright Distinguished Fellow as the Laszlo Orszagh Chair in American Studies in Budapest for 2002-2003. Dr. Mulcahy is also the Executive Editor of the Journal of Arts Management, Law and Society. His publications include Entrepreneurship or Cultural Darwinism: Perspectives on the American System of Cultural Patronage." 2003. Journal of Arts Management, Law, and Society; "The State Arts Agency: An Overview of Cultural Federalism in the United States," Journal of Arts Management, Law and Society. 2002. 32: 67-80, "Cultural Imperialism and Cultural Sovereignty: U.S.-Canadian Cultural Relations," Journal of Arts Management, Law and Society. 2002.31: 265-278, with Margaret J. Wyszomirski. 1995. "America's Commitment to Culture: Government and the Arts". CO: Westview Press, 1995, with Cecil V. Crabb, Jr. 1990. "American National Security: A Presidential Perspective". Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole. His commitment to education in global perspective is exemplary. He served on the Arts & Science College Senate, (Member, Committee on Academic Oversight). He is member of Committee on Development and Chair of the Huber Humphrey Lecture Series. Professor Mulcahy is also a member of the Committee on the Humanities Research and Development Group (Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research), the Professional Research Council, Arts and Architecture Department at the University of Oregon, the Conference on Social Theory, Politics and the Arts, and the . International Conference on Cultural Policy Research 2. As a dedicated and committed educator and supporter of the arts and global cultural policy initiatives, Professor Mulcahy will facilitate cooperative cultural exchange programs pursued by the ICLCE, Inc. His expertise in the area of cultural policies will facilitate the implementation of grants funding to organize exhibits, namely from the Middle East, North Africa, and China. Troy Hotard Art Studio will engage the community in exploring art and architectural heritage from these areas in collaborative grant proposals with ICLCE. For a closer look at Professor Mulcahy scholarly publications and cultural exchange expertise refer to this link:
http://appl003.lsu.edu/artsci/polisci.nsf/$Content/Kevin+Mulcahy/$file/mulcahyvitae07.pdf  

Jason Stump, Immersion Language Specialist

    Having been an educator of French and Spanish for over 10 years at high school, middle school and university levels, Jason Stump is committed to strengthening the academic experience of language learning both in and out of the classroom. Jason then continued with his Master's degree at Arizona State University in French Literature and Linguistics. Raised in Pennsylvania, Jason gained an interest in French and Spanish and pursued these languages by living and studying in both countries. Jason received his BA in French and Spanish from Albright College with a co-tutelle program with the Universitat de Barcelona. He has taught both in the United State and abroad and has traveled the world extensively. He has translated for the North American Leaders Summit in New Orleans, LA.

    In order to deepen his literary and cultural research in French Literature and Francophone Studies, Jason has begun to study the Arabic language as he continues to investigate the treatment of language through post-colonial literary study of the Berbers. Jason teaches French at Tulane University where he is working on his doctorate. Apart from French, Jason also speaks Spanish and Catalan. Having studied abroad at all levels of his educational background, Jason is continually encouraging students to experience a foreign language in its most authentic form and environment.

Marvin Birks, Community College Liaison

    Marvin Birks is the Career Counselor at Baton Rouge Community College. Mr. Birks also serves as Academic Advisor and Instructor at BRCC. He received a Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from the University of New Orleans and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Southern University at New Orleans. Marvin has worked in Higher Education for several years including three years as Interim Director of Career Counseling and Placement at Southern University at New Orleans; and TANF Literacy Coordinator at Nunez Community College. Birks’ corporate and professional experience includes middle school and high school instruction in Economics and Introduction to Business, respectively; R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, New York; and State Farm Insurance Company, Fire Claims Central, Atlanta, GA. He is President of M.Birks Consulting, LLC providing expertise in Career Development and Project Management. A native New Orleanian, Marvin now resides in Baton Rouge, LA. and is currently studying the Arabic language under the tutelage of Dr. Najoua Hotard. Mr. Birks was very instrumental in recruiting students from BRCC to the 2008 Institute of Critical Languages and Cultural Exchange/ STARTALK Arabic program. His firm belief in equity education made the program very successful because it included challenged students with physical and learning disabilities. Mr. Birks is the model of high order thinker and independent learner. He has been studying Arabic on his own and researching the unique and diverse aspects about Arabo-Islamic culture.

Neva Cramer, Literature Specialist

       Neva V Cramer, Ph.D. is an instructor in the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education in The Department of Educational Theory, Policy, and Practice at Louisiana State University. She currently teaches reading in the content areas: elementary reading, writing, and oral communication, and supervises student teachers. Neva began her undergraduate work at Southwest Texas State University and completed her graduate work at Louisiana State University. She also received specialized training in learning through the arts through the Harvard Graduate School of Education program “Project Zero”. Neva holds a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction specializing in reading/writing through the arts.
With over twenty years experience as a teacher in the areas of theatre, speech, English, reading, and language arts, Neva now combines her background in the performing arts and her education in the language arts to promote “literacy as a performing art” (Cramer, 2003). She has presented for the International Reading Association, the NCTE, the College Board, and other significant organizations. She also trains preservice teachers for the alternative certification program at Louisiana Resource Center for Educators. Her most recent publications include: N. Cramer, Ortlieb, E.T., Cheek, E.H. (2007) Multiple Ways of Knowing: A Theoretical Framework for Drama and Literacy in a Contemporary Curriculum, The Reading Matrix. Cramer, N., Ortlieb, E.T., Cheek, E.H. (2007) Changing Our Students’ Perception About Reading, Academic Exchange Quarterly. Ortlieb, E.T., Cramer, N., Cheek, E.H. (2007) The Art of Reading: Dramatizing Literacy, Reading Improvement.

Renee’ James-Simon, At-Risk Children & Rural Education Specialist

    Renee’ James-Simon is the Executive Director and one of the founding members of Patterson-Horton Retreat Center and Youth Home (PHRCYH) in Franklinton, Louisiana. Ms. Simon has served in this capacity since the formation of this non-profit in 2003. Renee’ has faced many obstacles in life due to a learning disability and a physical handicap. She was able to rise above these challenges and received a Master’s of Divinity degree in Counseling Psychology from the New Orleans Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work from Southern University at New Orleans. Renee’ is also a registered Chaplain with the National Board of Chaplains and an Associate minister at Christian Unity Baptist Church in New Orleans. It is because of her determination to strive in spite of what life has dealt her that Renee’ has chosen to show youth and young adults that they too can beat the odds. Renee’ has worked in the fields of education and social services for over 20 years including: missionary work in Alabama; working in the public school education systems of Franklinton, Covington, and New Orleans; working with at-risk children and adolescents from rural and urban settings; working within the foster care system; counseling at-risk juveniles and their families; providing mentoring and other resources to children who are underprivileged and who are differently abled; networking wit h other organizations such as OCS and OYD of Louisiana and Inspiration on the Move (a non-profit organization in Texas) to develop programs that will empower at-risk children and young adults. Recently, PHRCYH hosted a summer camp for children ages 8-16 throughout the Covington/Franklinton, Louisiana area, under the direction of Ms. Simon. The summer camp provided opportunities for its participants to receive instruction in math and science along with arts and recreation. Currently, Renee’ is diligently working on the development of a mentorship program that will assist at-risk youth and young adults. Ms. Simon’s future goals include: obtaining an LPC; continuing her education in order to obtain a doctorate in the social psychology arena; developing a multi-cultural education and recreation program to teach rural children how to speak Arabic and Spanish languages; participate in the development of a newsletter that will positively benefit youth and young adults around the world.

 Community Volunteers

It is important to indicate at the outset that the Community Volunteers of the Institute of Critical Languages and Cultural Exchange donate their efforts to provide our youth with quality, educational, and equitable programs. I.C.L.C.E. offers internship positions to university students in the international educational studies and those who are pursuing world language educational opportunities.

Dr. Laura Cassidy

    Dr. Laura Cassidy is one of the most respected surgeons in the area. Her work at Woman's Hospital has saved many patients and earned her admiration and respect. She was among the first women surgeons committed to improve health care in her community. Dr. Cassidy served as Chief of Surgery at Earl K. Long Medical Center. Her work at Woman's Hospital has saved many lives of Breast Cancer patients. She was among the caring physicians who founded the organization of Women In Need Gain Support (WINGS), which sponsored health fairs to promote women's health and raise awareness in the community regarding the need of mammograms to fight breast cancer. Dr. Cassidy has been a major supporter of YWCA's program Encore Plus, which works to increase awareness about Breast Cancer and other health issues. Troy Hotard Art Studio is donating an oil painting entitled "Dive for the Cure" in her honor to Breast Cancer survivors. The proceeds from the posters and the painting will benefit this diving association's pioneering efforts to help members of the community stricken with life altering illnesses like Breast Cancer. This donation honors Dr. Laura's Cassidy mission to make a difference in so many lives as a surgeon and dedicated volunteer. Most importantly, Dr. Laura Cassidy and Senator Bill Cassidy are dedicated to public education. The fact that their children attend public schools is indicative of their commitment to improving our school system and to provide equity education to all children in our communities. Dr. Laura Cassidy is a firm believer in the need to empower students with high order thinking skills and cultural competency through learning critical languages in cultural context. She supports all endeavors with the mission to educate our youth to become competitive leaders in our global community. She has always welcomed exchange students from different countries to her home to share our culture with the visiting youth of the world. Her travel around the world and support of foreign language instruction demonstrate her vision for our children to become global citizens. She serves as a volunteer Director of the Institute of Critical Languages and Cultural Exchange, Inc. She will be assisting in implementing grants bringing Art Exhibits from around the world to the Baton Rouge Community. After retiring in 2006, Dr. Cassidy devoted her time to community service activities. It is an honor to have her as volunteer Director. She will be assisting in implementing grants bringing Art Exhibits from around the world as well as critical languages summer institutes for students from inner city schools and from historically underrepresented groups. At this time, she will be assisting the committee selecting high school applicants from around the United States to be part of the STARTALK Standard Arabic six-week Institute funded by a $99,962.00 grant from the National Foreign Language Center and sponsored by the Institute of Critical languages and Cultural Exchange, Inc (summer 2008). Senator Bill Cassidy and Dr. Laura Cassidy will be welcoming the visiting participants and international and local scholars at the opening and closing ceremony at Louisiana State University.
More Information on Bill & Laura Cassidy

Hialeah Miranda

    Mrs. Miranda was raised in the Greater New Orleans area. At the age of 12 she was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. She lost her eyesight at the age of 21 due to severe complications from diabetes. She is married to retired Navy officer Dan Miranda. They have five children. Mrs. Miranda has a passion about teaching children and providing them with equitable and educational opportunities. She is an active member of the organization Mothers of ADHD Children. She is in charge of a blog where parents and educators share and exchange ideas to help accommodate ADHD children. She is an active advocate for programs that mainstream challenged children and provide them with equitable access to educational opportunities. Part of Hialeah's heritage is Native American. She appreciates and values the important component of cultural competency in the lives of all our children. She has published two childrens books exploring Louisiana's rich and diverse cultural heritage. Like Professor Najoua Hotard, Hialeah Miranda believes that the future of our country relies on educating our children equitably. Truly equitable educational programs and institutions strive to empower all challenged individuals with programs that will open the doors of opportunities. Hialeah’s role at the Institute of Critical Languages and Cultural Exchange is to recruit students for the ICLCE/STARTALK summer critical language programs. Her knowledge with effective Braille teaching strategies, technology skills, and accommodations for the visually impaired will ensure successful educational experiences in the area of critical languages and cultural exchange.

Susanna G. Gilbert

    Susanna G Gilbert received her Bachelors of Science in Foreign Area Studies with a minor in Spanish from the United States Air Force Academy. Her specialty is Latin American studies focusing on Central and South America. While at the Air Force Academy, Susanna became a scuba instructor and educated over 200 students in their open water, advanced, and master's certifications. Many of her travels as a scuba instructor included Honduras, Fiji, Micronesia, and Thailand. Her most interested dives include ice diving in the mountains of Colorado. She was commissioned in the United States Air Force as a 2nd Lieutenant in 2004 and served her country at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, AK. While there, Susanna served as a Logistics Officer and led a 56-person team consisting of military and contracted staff in processing, loading, and offloading of high-priority cargo. She established performance standards, trained new staff members and provided leadership for timely and accurate completion of mission-critical assignments in the 732nd Air Mobility Squadron. She served as Director of Operations within the 3rd largest aerial port in the entire Air Force responsible for processing cargo for deployment to other Air Force bases as well as numerous middle Eastern locations. Elmendorf aerial port is a critical node in the distribution and accomplishment of the United States military in not only the current wars we face but in the protection and furtherment of our nation. Susanna also managed and motivated full time and contracted staffs of up to 160 people in the operation of $10 million in material handling equipment and coordinated activities with 4 other internal departments ensuring minimal delays to provide food and equipment to remote satellite stations in northern Alaska. Numerous military aircraft were coordinated, loaded and offloaded with critical supplies necessary for the survival of those remote outposts including C-17s, L-100s, C-130s, and C-5s. She also worked with and coordinated with other services including the Army and Coast Guard getting supplies to remote locations in the Aleutian Islands. One of the most memorable and rewarding missions while in the Air Force was to coordinate and execute the move of Maggie the elephant from Anchorage, AK to a new home in California by a C-17. Although a Logistics Officer, Susanna's heart and passion has always remained with foreign area studies and the diversity of world-wide cultures. Currently, Susanna is a supportive wife of her F-16 fighter pilot husband, Corey Gilbert, who remains an active pilot in the United States Air Force.

Danilo Miranda

    Danilo Miranda is a retired US Navy Veteran. He is third generation career military. Danilo was born on a US Military base in Japan, and is of Filipino decent.

    The last eleven years of Danilo Miranda’s military career was spent working with junior and senior high school students. He was recruiting, training recruiters, and head of the marketing department for US Navy Recruiting District New Orleans.

    For three years prior Danilo worked with over 1,600 children as the head of the DARE program (Drug Abuse Resistance Education program).

    As the father of five children, Danilo Miranda has worked to bring equal educational opportunities to children in Livingston parish. He has devoted his time to developing and improving IEPs for children within the school system. Danilo will serve as co-director of one of STARTALK programs and will facilitate the transportation needs for the 2009 summer critical language programs.

 

Karen Hawkins Jackson

    Karen H. Jackson received her Masters of Arts in Organizational Management and her Masters of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. Karen is a member of the Baton Rouge Area Chamber (BRAC), Women’s Council of Greater Baton Rouge and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. Karen’s expertise in Leadership, Business, Human Resources and Management has afforded her various opportunities in the business sector. Karen is the Director of Career Services for Jackson Alternative Training institute, LLC. a Training and Employment Agency for people with physical, mental, as well as audio and visual impairments. She is an entrepreneur, who possesses great passion and determination to assist the disabled population overcome societal obstacles. Karen is an advocate for equitable employment opportunities for the disabled population. She has created and implemented several training programs to assist her clients. She trains her staff, monitors employee performance and provides leadership and direction to her employees. She and her staff have assisted many of their clients in obtaining meaningful careers. She is a Trainer, Counselor and Advisor to her clientele of disabled individuals. Karen often participates in conferences, seminars and training workshops in an effort to obtain additional knowledge that will help streamline business processes and contribute to the overall growth of the organization.

    Karen is also the Director of Human Resources for Extended Family Healthcare Services. She is accountable for the development and implementation of training programs and career management programs that align with the organization’s strategic goals, objectives, policies, and procedures to assist the elderly and disabled population. She also conducts need analyses for employees and provided job coaching and development interventions utilizing organization theory, organization design and technology. Karen is a member of the Board of Directors and she participates in conflict resolutions that involve HR related issues, ensuring all practices and decisions align with state and governmental employee regulations. She is responsible for managing multiple projects, meeting deadlines, staying within pre-determined budgets, facilitating meetings and training workshops and communicating effectively with diverse groups. Karen also served as the ADA Compliance Officer for the University of Phoenix Baton Rouge and Lafayette Campuses for 5 years. In this capacity, she assured equal rights for students with disabilities in the classroom. She was also responsible for providing consultation and Academic advisement to students as well as making reasonable accommodations as necessary. Karen is also a Professor in the Graduate and Undergraduate Business College at the University of Phoenix. She is a very passionate instructor who embraces opportunities to share her knowledge and wisdom with adult learners.