Central Executive Officers

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

President Professor Najoua Hotard, the institute director, is a native of Tunisia. She 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, French Literature, and Business. She started the French Advanced Language and Literature of the College Board Advanced Placement program in High Need Schools (inner city of Baton Rouge) in 1993. Professor Hotard taught the College Board Advanced Placement French Language and Literature as well as Arabic Honors classes. She is currently the adjunct professor in charge of the Arabic program at Tulane University. Dr. Hotard is one of the national readers for ETS who grades advanced literature essays. She is also the Arabic adjunct professor at Tulane University in New Orleans. As a highly qualified professional, Najoua Hotard served the local public school system in many capacities. She served on the committees, which developed grades, 9-12 foreign language curriculums, and she also worked on 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 Office of Strategic Initiatives at LSU. She works closely with Teach Baton Rouge Summer Institute as a Teacher Advisor, Content Seminar Leader, and co-Director. The institute trains professionals from the community to teach in high need/inner city schools. Najoua Hotard's work as an interpreter and translator with the Military Intelligence and U.S. Department Anti-Terrorism Assistance Program allows her to bring community resources to students. Dr. Hotard is a National Endowment for the Humanities Scholar (Writing Africa: Comparative African and European Palavers and Perspectives, summer 2004), and one of the recipients of National Geographic Grant for a project entitled "Strengths in Diversity." She presents workshops in different school districts around the United States dealing with diversity issues in the classroom and workplace. Her presentations in professional foreign language organizations deal with innovative and effective methods to teach foreign languages which address various learning styles. Dr. Hotard has been a major advocate for Equity Education Program implemented by the College Board. She has been one of their speakers at the yearly Equity Conferences. Professor Hotard, founder and President of the Institute of Critical Languages and Cultural Exchange, Inc., is the recipient of the $99,962.00 STARTALK grant for summer of 2008. This grant is administered by the National Foreign Language Center at the University of Maryland. Her proposal "Al-Bab Maftooh: Arabic Proficiency within Cultural Dimensions" will select 25 high school students from around the United States to learn Standard Arabic and explore diverse cultural issues.

Directors

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the World: indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." - Margared Mead

It is important to indicate at the outset that the Directors of the Institute of Critical Languages and Cultural Exchange, Inc are dedicated volunteers who are not compensated for their efforts. They donate their time, energy, and efforts to provide our children with quality educational programs focused on developing global citizens equipped with critical language skills and cultural competency. All the directors are firm believers in creating pioneering community activities to foster mutual understanding and appreciation among diverse cultures around the world. Professor Najoua Hotard is fortunate to have these outstanding community members on her team. The support of these directors to the ICLCE's mission and vision will provide great educational programs in the area of critical language aquisition and cultural competancy. Such programs will enable children to become global citizens.

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 has 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.

Director II: Dr. Su-Seng Pang

Dr. Su-Seng Pang received his Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering from U.C. Berkeley in 1987. Currently, he is the Jack Holmes Distinguished Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Associate Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives and at Louisiana State University (LSU). Dr. Pang is a Fellow of three professional societies: American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE), and American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). He is a recognized expert in the composite materials research field. He has published over 200 journal papers/conference proceedings in the areas of composite materials and structures, pressure vessel and piping, and various joining technologies. He has been the Principal Investigator (PI)/Co-PI/Key Investigator of over 100 projects funded by NSF, NASA, Navy, Army, Air Force, Department of Energy, and various industries. His research/education projects are now supporting over 300 college students per year as well as numerous high school teachers and students. Since 1996, Dr. Pang has received 32 U.S. national/regional awards in research and education, including: 2007 LSU Engineering Excellence Mentor Award; 2005 LSU Award for Faculty Excellence; 2003 LSU Making the Difference Award; 2003 LSU Outstanding Faculty Service Award; 2002 ASME International Board on Minorities and Women Award; 2002 ACAP Distinguished Achievement Award; 1999 Carnegie/CASE Louisiana Professor of the Year; 1998 AAAS National Mentor Award; 1998 Presidential Award for Mentoring (at the White House); 1997 Tibbetts Award for SBIR Model of Excellence (at the White House); 1996 ASEE National Minorities in Engineering Award. He was bestowed an Honorary Doctorate (Doctor of Science honoris causa) from the University of Macau, China, in 2006. Dr. Pang's volunteering to serve as one of the directors of the Institute of Critical languages and Cultural Exchange is exemplary of his commitment to public education. His guidance and advising in the institute's grant proposals has been tremendous. He will be helping with implementing future Chinese Language summer programs as well as cultural exchanges and art exhibits coordinated through collaborative grants submitted byTroy Hotard Art Studio and the ICLCE.

Director III: Dr. Kevin Mulcahy

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

Director IV: 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.
http://www.billcassidy.net/cassidy_about.htm

Director V: Pavel Samsonov

Dr. Pavel Samsonov is another supporter committed to the Institute of Critical Languages and cultural Exchange’s mission. He serves currently as Assistant Professor of Educational Technology and Educational Leadership, at the University of Louisiana in Lafayette. He is working with Dr. Najoua Hotard and the ICLCE to develop innovative technological instructional and assessment strategies to teach world languages and the cultures associated with them based on ACTFL’s standards and guidelines. His expertise will implement the building of a data base related to a variety of standard-base assessment materials meeting different learning styles. His contributions to the adaptation of technological tools to Foreign language instruction and achievement measurements are numerous and valuable. His will develop the online design for the Arabic instructional curriculum used in the programs offered by the ICLCE. He will assist in creating blogs and multimedia instructional documents to be used in the programs offered by the institute (i.e. tests, quizzes, games, listening, reading, speaking and writing activities). Dr. Samsonov is a committed educator who specializes in Russian as well as technology instructional tools. His contributions to enhancing foreign Language instructions are numerous. The following list only includes the recent ones: Finlekstein E., & Samsonov P. (2008). PowerPoint for Teachers: Dynamic Presentations and Interactive Classroom Projects Grades K-12. Jossey-Bass, A Wiley, San Francisco. Samsonov, P. (2008). This Ain’t Your Momma’s PowerPoint or What: Creating Interactive Images in PowerPoint. In C. Crawford et al. (Eds.), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education International Conference 2008 (pp. 3918-3924). Chesapeake, VA: AACE; Samsonov, P., Daspit, T., Edith, M. & Briggs, C. (2008). Making a Difference for Middle School Teachers: When University Faculty Go to Schools to Help. In C. Crawford et al. (Eds.), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education International Conference 2008 (pp. 3913-3917). Chesapeake, VA: AACE; Samsonov, P., Pedersen, S., and Hill, C. (2006). Using Problem-Based Learning Software with At- Risk Students: A Case Study. Computers in the Schools, 23(1/2), 2006, pp. 111-124; Samsonov, P. & Finkelstein, E. (2007). Creating Interactive Images Using PowerPoint. In G. Richards (Ed.), Proceedings of World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education 2007 (pp. 1819-1825). Chesapeake, VA: AACE; Samsonov, P. (2007). Simple Techniques to Create Interactive Reviews in PowerPoint. In G. Richards (Ed.), Proceedings of World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education 2007 (pp. 1826-1834). Chesapeake, VA: AACE; Samsonov, P. & Briggs, C. (2006). Mavericks, Late Majority and Laggards: Our Experience Implementing Blackboard in a High School. In P. Kommers & G. Richards (Eds.), Proceedings of World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia and Telecommunications 2006 (pp. 3062-3069). Chesapeake, VA: AACE; Samsonov, P. (2006). Creating quizzes and clickable maps with PowerPoint. In P. Kommers & G. Richards (Eds.), Proceedings of World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia and Telecommunications 2006 (pp. 1437-1438). Chesapeake, VA: AACE; Samsonov, P. & Beard, M. (2005). Our Experience Implementing Blackboard Delivery System in a High School. In G. Richards (Ed.), Proceedings of World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education 2005 (pp. 1079-1086).

Director VI: Marvin Birks

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.

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