Fresh off of Spring 2023 Student Government Association election season, new SGA President Connor Smith and Vice President Walker Pearson spend this episode talking about their involvement on campus, their roles in SGA, their passion for Louisiana Tech University, and what they hope to accomplish in their time serving the student body as leaders.

Louisiana Tech SGA: https://orgs.latech.edu/sga/site/

Website: https://1894.latech.edu/beyond/

Email: [email protected]

Matthew "Monty" Montgomery claims he "almost jokingly" ended up as the Department Chair for Louisiana Tech's Department of Professional Aviation. In this episode, he tells that story, talks about what makes the aviation program special, and discusses the partnerships with airlines like United and Southwest that will ensure successful careers for aviation students.

Louisiana Tech's Department of Professional Aviation: https://liberalarts.latech.edu/professional-aviation/

Website: https://1894.latech.edu/beyond/

Email: [email protected]

It was almost accidental that Dr. Jane Jacob found her calling in the field of psychology. In this episode, she recounts her days growing up in India and the Middle East before a move to the U.S. and talks about the educational path that led her to a doctorate degree and a role as a professor here at Tech. She touches on her recent transition to Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in the College of Education and discusses the programs and practices that make the College of Education at Louisiana Tech special.

Louisiana Tech College of Education: https://education.latech.edu/

Website: https://1894.latech.edu/beyond/

Email: [email protected]

Dr. Pasquale DePaola is currently the Director of Louisiana Tech's School of Design, but the Italian expat has a rich history, including extended time as a professional basketball scout in his home country and beyond. In this episode, DePaola talks about growing up in Italy and his jump to the U.S., the parallels between finding design faculty and scouting the best team players in basketball, and his architectural influences and passion for teaching.

School of Design: http://design.latech.edu/

Website: https://1894.latech.edu/beyond/

Email: [email protected]

Dr. Ashley Owen, Louisiana Tech's Director of Counseling Services, prioritizes students in all that she does. In this episode, she talks about her pursuit of the education that would result in her career in counseling, as well as the mission of Tech's Counseling Services and what they provide for our students. She also hammers home the importance of preventing mental health challenges from being barriers to our students' experience at the University.

Counseling Services: https://www.latech.edu/counseling-services/

Website: https://1894.latech.edu/beyond/

Email: [email protected]

Dr. Donna Thomas started college late, after already starting a family, and she never looked back. In this episode, she recounts her days pursuing her degrees while trying to find her way and prepare for the next steps. She talks about her past and present roles and how her previous position differs from her current administrative duties. Dr. Thomas speaks about her functions as NCAA Faculty Athletics Representative for Louisiana Tech, and she gives some information on the new Tech Online offerings.

Tech Online: https://www.latech.edu/online-programs/

Website: https://1894.latech.edu/beyond/

Email: [email protected]

Dr. Terry McConathy is the Louisiana Tech University Provost and the VP of Academic Affairs. But she wasn't always destined to be a part of the Tech Family. In this episode, she discusses growing up in Canada before the twisting and turning career path that "accidentally" led her to Tech. She talks about breaking down silos in higher education and why students are the driver behind interdisciplinary collaboration. She also speaks about the importance of language and how universities view education in other countries, and she even lists her favorite vacation spots (she's been all over the world, after all).

Website: https://1894.latech.edu/beyond/

Email: [email protected]

Senior Music Industry Studies major Jalia Payne recently completed her capstone project: a one-of-a-kind musical written for the stage and based on both prominent and lesser-known moments and perspectives from the civil rights movement. Jalia discusses the significance and process of creating this production— a collaboration between the Louisiana Tech Music and Theatre departments titled Rights of the Civil— as well as the importance of her musical premiering during Black History Month. She talks about her experience "accidentally" becoming an Orientation Student Leader and the changes she's witnessed on campus when it comes to representation and diversity.

Website: https://1894.latech.edu/beyond/

Email: [email protected]

While visiting Louisiana Tech for the New Frontiers seminar series, Dr. Taj Azarian, Assistant Professor in in the University of Central Florida’s College of Medicine, sat down on Beyond 1894 with guest host Dr. Jamie Newman (Louisiana Tech School of Biological Sciences). He discusses his collaborative work with Louisiana Tech on a project that engaged communities in understanding and preventing the spread of COVID-19. He talks about his path, from discovering his calling to the stepping stones that shaped his career. And he tells us why it's important to be open to opportunities and why hobbies (such as one of his favorite, Brazilian jiu-jitsu) will help anyone clear their head.

Dr. Taj Azarian (UCF Faculty Directory): https://med.ucf.edu/biomed/person/dr-taj-azarian/

New Frontiers with Dr. Azarian: https://community.latech.edu/new-frontiers/meaningful-use-of-pathogen-genomic-data-tracking-bacterial-mobile-elements-using-published-sequences/

Website: https://1894.latech.edu/beyond/

Email: [email protected]

Tim Brandon, the 2022 Louisiana Tech Distinguished Alumnus of the Year, has a lot of praise to give to the University that taught him countless career and life lessons. He recounts his days growing up in West Monroe and powering through the architecture program at Louisiana Tech. He discusses the reasons why 18 of his 22 studio employees are Tech graduates. And he talks about how thankful he is to have played such a large role in bringing several Louisiana Tech facilities to life. He even takes some time to give an inside scoop on their next big project (hint: our student-athletes are about to get an upgrade).

TBA Studio: https://tbastudio.com/

Website: https://1894.latech.edu/beyond/

Email: [email protected]