Bridging the Bayou - the Podcast of Fletcher Technical Community College

In this episode of Bridging the Bayou, Dr. Kristine Strickland welcomes State Representative Jessica Domangue of District 53 to the podcast for a conversation on public service, workforce development, and legislative leadership in Louisiana.

Representative Domangue shares insights on how her background as a licensed clinical social worker shapes her approach to policymaking, the importance of trauma-informed leadership, and the role economic development plays in strengthening communities across the Bayou Region. It’s a thoughtful conversation about balancing service and family, supporting mental health and coastal restoration efforts, and building workforce pathways that create opportunity and long-term prosperity for Louisiana.

Start Corporation
Website: https://startcorp.org
Phone: 985-333-2020

Louisiana State Legislature
https://www.legis.la.gov

Fletcher Technical Community College
https://www.fletcher.edu

In this episode of Bridging the Bayou, Dr. Kristine Strickland welcomes Dr. Jay Clune, President of Nicholls State University, to the podcast for a conversation on leadership, regional partnership, and the evolving role of higher education in the Bayou Region.

Dr. Clune shares insights on his journey back home to lead Nicholls, the importance of persistence in leadership, and how institutions like Nicholls and Fletcher continue to work together to serve students, industry, and the community. It’s a thoughtful conversation about collaboration, lifelong learning, and strengthening educational pathways that create opportunity and support the workforce across the region.

Nicholls State University: https://www.nicholls.edu

Fletcher Technical Community College: https://www.fletcher.edu

In this episode of Bridging the Bayou, Dr. Kristine Strickland welcomes Richard Nelson, the new President of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, to the podcast and to his new role Nelson podcast.

President Nelson shares reflections on his journey, his vision for the system, and how community and technical colleges can help expand opportunity and strengthen Louisiana’s workforce. It’s a thoughtful conversation about leadership, purpose, and building pathways for success across the state.

Fletcher Technical Community College
https://www.fletcher.edu

Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS)
https://www.lctcs.edu

Capitalism and Freedom - by Milton Friedman

The Economist Magazine
https://www.economist.com

In this episode of Bridging the Bayou, Dr. Kristine Strickland sits down with Ben Malbrough, Vice President of GIS Engineering and Chair of the Fletcher Foundation Board, for a thoughtful conversation about leadership, community, and the paths that shape our careers.

Ben shares reflections on his journey, what motivates his work, and why investing in people and the region matters. It’s an engaging discussion about growth, opportunity, and the power of staying connected to home.

 Organizations & Institutions Mentioned

GIS Engineering

Bayou Lafourche Fresh Water District

Fletcher Technical Community College 

In this special on the road edition of Bridging the Bayou, Chancellor Kristine Strickland takes the podcast to the Louisiana Community and Technical College System Annual Conference in New Orleans, where more than one thousand faculty, staff, students, and partners gathered to learn, collaborate, and refocus on serving communities across the state.

Recorded live from the conference expo floor, this episode features conversations with college leaders, faculty, students, system partners, and advocates who share how community colleges are transforming lives through workforce training, health care education, entrepreneurship, industry partnerships, and student support.

Listeners will hear firsthand how Louisiana’s community and technical colleges are responding quickly to workforce needs, creating pathways to high wage careers, strengthening local economies, and opening doors for students of all backgrounds.

This episode highlights the collective impact of community colleges and the powerful role they play in shaping Louisiana’s future one student one program and one community at a time.

Learn more about Fletcher Technical Community College
 https://www.fletcher.edu

Learn more about the Louisiana Community and Technical College System
 https://www.lctcs.edu

Explore Northshore Technical Community College
 https://www.northshorecollege.edu

Explore Nunez Community College
 https://www.nunez.edu

Explore Louisiana Delta Community College
 https://www.ladelta.edu

Learn more about NACCE and community college entrepreneurship
 https://www.nacce.com

Interested in workforce training and career programs across Louisiana
 https://www.louisianaworks.net

In this special on the road edition of Bridging the Bayou, Chancellor Kristine Strickland takes the podcast to the Louisiana Community and Technical College System Annual Conference in New Orleans, where more than one thousand faculty, staff, students, and partners gathered to learn, collaborate, and refocus on serving communities across the state.

Recorded live from the conference expo floor, this episode features conversations with college leaders, faculty, students, system partners, and advocates who share how community colleges are transforming lives through workforce training, health care education, entrepreneurship, industry partnerships, and student support.

Listeners will hear firsthand how Louisiana’s community and technical colleges are responding quickly to workforce needs, creating pathways to high wage careers, strengthening local economies, and opening doors for students of all backgrounds.

This episode highlights the collective impact of community colleges and the powerful role they play in shaping Louisiana’s future one student one program and one community at a time.

Learn more about Fletcher Technical Community College
 https://www.fletcher.edu

Learn more about the Louisiana Community and Technical College System
 https://www.lctcs.edu

Explore Northshore Technical Community College
 https://www.northshorecollege.edu

Explore Nunez Community College
 https://www.nunez.edu

Explore Louisiana Delta Community College
 https://www.ladelta.edu

Learn more about NACCE and community college entrepreneurship
 https://www.nacce.com

Interested in workforce training and career programs across Louisiana
 https://www.louisianaworks.net

In this episode of Bridging the Bayou, Dr. Kristine Strickland welcomes Simone Maloz, Campaign Director for Restore the Mississippi River Delta. The conversation highlights Louisiana’s leadership in coastal restoration and how science, community, and partnerships are shaping a more resilient future. Simone shares her path to coastal advocacy, the importance of collaboration, and practical ways we can all help protect Louisiana’s working coast.

Restore the Mississippi River Delta: https://mississippiriverdelta.org/

Partner Organizations Mentioned

Pontchartrain Conservancy: www.scienceforourcoast.org

Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana (CRCL): www.crcl.org

Restore or Retreat: www.restoreorretreat.org

LSU Center for River Studies: https://lsu.edu/river/

In this episode of Bridging the Bayou, Dr. Kristine Strickland welcomes Representative Joseph Orgeron to the podcast. The conversation explores his journey from science to public service and how he's working to address key issues across the Bayou Region. From insurance reform to coastal restoration, Representative Orgeron shares insights on building a stronger, more resilient future for our communities.

 Representative Joseph A. Orgeron

• District Office (Cut Off, LA): (985) 693‑9000
• Capitol Office (Baton Rouge): (225) 342‑6945
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: house.louisiana.gov

 Restore or Retreat, Inc.

• Office (Thibodaux, LA): (985) 448‑4997
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.restoreorretreat.org

In this episode of Bridging the Bayou, Chancellor Kristine Strickland sits down with Dr. Ugo Ezema, a pulmonologist and critical care specialist, to explore the intersection of medicine, community service, and life in the Bayou Region. Hear how his medical expertise meets a passion for making a difference, and the lessons he's learned along the way. 

Listen to The Last Zebra on Spotify: The Last Zebra Podcast

Watch/Listen to The Last Zebra on YouTube: The Last Zebra Playlist

Terrebonne General Health System: https://www.tghealthsystem.com

In this episode of Bridging the Bayou, Dr. Kristine Strickland welcomes Jennifer Armand, Executive Director of the Bayou Community Foundation. The discussion focuses on how the Foundation is addressing long-term recovery needs following a natural disaster in the Bayou Region. From housing and mental health services to collaboration with local partners, Jennifer shares how strategic philanthropy is helping rebuild stronger, more resilient communities across Lafourche, Terrebonne, and Grand Isle. 

Bayou Community Foundation
https://www.bayoucf.org

Bayou Community Foundation on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/BayouCommunityFoundation

Fletcher Technical Community College
https://www.fletcher.edu