LTC T.H. Harris Campus Drafting and Design Technology students worked with the St. Landry Economic Industrial Development District (SLEIDD) to create Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD) drawings for the new business incubator located in their new building on the I-49 Frontage Road. In order to effectively prepare for new businesses to occupy the business incubator, SLEIDD sought the assistance of the LTC Drafting and Design Technology students. The students assessed all existing conditions of the facility and created a floor plan, a furniture plan, a space utilization plan as well as a presentation drawing for the ribbon cutting.  LTC T.H. Harris Campus Drafting and Design Technology Instructor Nicole Guillory said, "This was a very exciting opportunity for our T.H. Harris Campus Drafting students. Not only was the drafting experience invaluable, but attending the ribbon cutting enabled our students to meet the innovative business owners that create local jobs."

The Drafting and Design Technology program is a two-year technical program designed to give the student essential knowledge and skills required for efficient and productive performance in the drafting field. Louisiana Technical College grants a diploma to students upon satisfactory completion of the curriculum and assists in placing students in gainful employment. Certificates are also offered for those needing a background in drafting without gaining all of the skills required for employment as a drafter.

(L to R):  Gerard Perron (SLEIDD Executive Director), Angela Malagarie and Eddie DeJean (LTC T.H.Harris Campus Drafting and Design Technology students)

LTC Teche Area Campus student Nikkia James was selected to serve on the All Louisiana Academic Team. The All State Team is a program started by Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year colleges, the American Association of Community Colleges and USA Today. The program serves as a means of recognizing excellence and high academic achievement in students attending community and technical colleges, as well as providing opportunities for individual growth and development through participation in honors, leadership, service and fellowship programming. Independent judges review the students' applications and select the team members. The students are recognized by the awarding of medallions, certificates and scholarships. On an annual basis, the Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS) hosts the All Academic Team Ceremony to recognize the students selected for the team. LCTCS along with Phi Theta Kappa International hosted a luncheon and recognition ceremony honoring community and technical college students who were named to the All Louisiana Academic Team. The students were recognized and presented medallions of honor by dignitaries from their local communities and administrators from their respective campuses.

Nikkia is enrolled in the Care and Development of Young Children program. She is the State of Louisiana SkillsUSA President and will participate in the National SkillsUSA Conference in Kansas City, MO. Additionally, she earned a gold medal in the Louisiana SkillsUSA Competion in the Preschool Teaching Assistant competition. Nikkia is a member of  Who's Who Among Students and maintains a 4.0 grade point average.



(L to R):  Brett Mellington (LCTCS Board of Supervisors), Nikki James (All Louisiana Academic Team member), and Phyllis Dupuis (LTC Region 4 Regional Director)

Lafayette, LA — Louisiana Technical College (LTC) Region 4 was recently awarded the U.S. Department of Labor health care and high growth training grant. Louisiana Technical College will utilize the $4,859,040 grant to expand training programs in several career pathways related to the region’s growing transportation industry, a sector that is being transformed by new technologies including alternative fuel engines and the logistics needed to operate intermodal facilities.  Students will be placed in customized training programs including industrial/agricultural mechanics, aviation maintenance technology, heavy equipment operations, and business services for warehousing and distribution.  LTC’s expanded training programs will enable nearly 800 participants to receive industry-recognized credentials and/or Associate degrees in Applied Science.  The skills training is designed to move unemployed workers from declining industries into the transportation industry, and nearly 700 participants will be place into unsubsidized employment.
This grant is part of $225 million awarded through the U.S. Department of Labor’s health care and high growth training grants funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The grants allow community colleges, community-based organizations, state workforce agencies and other public entities to deliver training that leads to employment in a range of health care fields and other growing industries.  Of the 55 total grant recipients, LTC Region 4 is one of 2 Louisiana recipients.
Regional Director Phyllis Dupuis said, "It is such an extreme honor to receive this funding that will allow LTC Region 4 to expand on existing training incorporating biodiesel greener technologies.” Associate Dean/Division of Information Technology and Grants Development Annette Faulk added, “In particular, we are thrilled that this training will incorporate significant enhancements for the aviation, heavy equipment operations, mechanics, and automotive programs and allow us to expand with a cutting-edge warehouse and inventory program."

Lafayette Parish Association of Career and Technical Educators (LPACTE) Scholarship awarded to James Gautreaux

Lafayette Parish Association of Career and Technical Educators (LPACTE) established an Annual Scholarship with Louisiana Technical College (LTC) Greater Acadiana Region 4 Foundation. The scholarship was recently awarded to James Gautreaux based on the following criteria: incoming freshman at LTC Lafayette Campus who completed at least three years of high school career and technical education courses in the Lafayette Parish public school system while maintaining academic standards.  James is an Electrician student at LTC Lafayette Campus.
 
For more information regarding scholarship establishment with any of the LTC Greater Acadiana Region 4 Campuses, please contact Kelli Horn by calling  (337) 262-5962  or e-mailing khorn@ltc.edu.

 
(L to R):  Burnell LeJeune (LPACTE Representative and Lafayette Parish School Board Director of Career and Technical Education), Pat Cormier (LPACTE President), James Gautreaux (LPACTE Scholarship recipient), Cliff Weekley (LPACTE Representative), and Phyllis Dupuis (LTC Region 4 Regional Director)

Delta Compression and Equipment of Krotz Springs recently donated iron to the Welding program at LTC T.H. Harris Campus in Opelousas. The donation of iron aids in providing hands-on training to students. The purpose of the Welding program is to prepare individuals for employment in the field of welding. Instruction is provided in various processes and techniques of welding including oxyfuel cutting, carbon arc cutting, shielded metal arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding, flux-cored arc welding, gas metal arc welding, pipe-welding, plasma arc cutting, blueprint reading, weld symbols, and joints. After completion of this program, the student will have covered the skills designated by the AWS (American Welding Society) and will be prepared to take the AWS Entry Level Welder test.

(L to R):  David Charles (LTC T.H. Harris Campus Welding Instructor),  Lonnie Williamson (Delta Compression and Equipment), Culien Williamson

The Rotary Club of Lafayette North recently established a scholarship with Louisiana Technical College Greater Acadiana Region 4 Foundation benefiting LTC Lafayette Campus.  Based on academic achievement and leadership qualities, Practical Nursing students Martine Celestine, Charlene Leday, Lindzie Lown, and Kristi Melancon were selected as the recipients.   
 
For more information regarding scholarship establishment with any of the LTC Greater Acadiana Region 4 campuses, please contact Kelli Horn by calling (337) 262-5962 or e-mailing khorn@ltc.edu.

(L to R):
 
1.         Janine Coleman (Rotary Club of Lafayette North Club Administration)
2.         Mitzi Moss Duhon (Rotary Club of Lafayette North  President)
3.         Martine Celestine  (LTC Lafayette Campus Practical Nursing student)
4.         Lindzie Lown (LTC Lafayette Campus Practical Nursing student)
5.         Charlene Leday (LTC Lafayette Campus Practical Nursing student)
6.         Troy Southerland (Rotary Club of Lafayette North)
7.         Debbie Burkheiser (LTC Lafayette Campus Assistant Dean)
NOT PICTURED:  Kristi Melancon (LTC Lafayette Campus Practical Nursing student)

4th Annual Transitions Conference held on Friday, October 16
 
Greater Acadiana Region 4 College & Career Transitions-South sponsored the 4th Annual Transitions Conference on Friday, October 16, 2009.  The Transitions Conference was filled with information geared towards secondary and postsecondary principals, counselors, and administrators from Acadia, Iberia, St. Martin, and Vermilion Parishes.  Key presenters from the Louisiana Department of Education, the Louisiana Board of Regents, the Louisiana Community & Technical College System, and the Louisiana Workforce Commission presented to share the most up-to-date information and initiatives in our state regarding career pathways, career diploma initiatives, dual enrollment, and articulation.
 
The 4th Annual Transitions Conference was hosted by the South Louisiana Community College, New Iberia Campus located at 908 Ember Drive.  Attached is information relating to the 4th Annual Transitions Conference. 

For more information, contact Paul A. Bourgeois, Greater Acadiana Region 4 College & Career Transitions-South Coordinator at 337.893.4991.


 
(L to R): Dr. Monty Sullivan (Louisiana Community & Technical College System Executive Vice President), Melba Kennedy (Louisiana Community & Technical College System Secondary to Postsecondary Transitions State Coordinator), Phyllis Dupuis (Louisiana Technical College Region 4 Regional Director), Paul Bourgeois (Greater Acadiana Region 4 College & Career Transitions-South Coordinator), Dr. Jim Owens (Louisiana Department of Education Career & Technical Education Executive Director), Dr. Jan Brobst (South Louisiana Community College Chancellor), Dr. Karen Denby (Louisiana Board of Regents Senior Policy Analyst),and Paul Theriot (Louisiana Department of Education Career & Technical Education Section Leader)

Louisiana Community and Technical College System recently conducted a meeting regarding the renovation of Louisiana Technical College (LTC) Gulf Area Campus in Abbeville as per Act 391.  The meeting, held at LTC Gulf Area Campus, 1115 Clover Street,  featured a presentation and a discussion of the architectural programming process.  

 
Participating in the meeting were, from Left to Right,  Brian J. LaFleur (CSRS, Inc.), Annette Faulk (LTC Region 4 Associate Dean), Robert L. Sands, Jr. (CSRS, Inc.), Jan Jackson (LCTCS Senior Vice President, Finance and Administration), Phyllis Dupuis (LTC Region 4 Regional Director), Kenn Posey (LTC Gulf Area Campus Assistant Dean), Brock Dubois (LCTCS Board of Supervisors), and Bill Obier (LCTCS Director, Facility, Planning, Management & Administrative Services)

Begneaud Manufacturing named Business Champion

Begneaud Manufacturing was named Business Champion during the 2009 Career and Technical Education Distinguished Service Awards ceremony held during the 2009 Super Summer Institute.  Begneaud Manufacturing was honored for their long-time commitment and exemplary support of career and technical education. The Super Summer Institute, held in Lafayette, is an annual partnership between the Louisiana Community and Technical College System and the Louisiana Department of Education, Office of Career and Technical Education. This partnership provides outstanding professional development for Louisiana Technical College faculty and staff as well as Secondary faculty and staff. 

(Left to Right):  Phyllis Dupuis (LTC Region 4 Regional Director and award presenter), Andy Begneaud (Begneaud Manufacturing) and Don Begneaud (Begneaud Manufacturing).

Air Products partners with Louisiana Technical College Greater Acadiana Region 4 Foundation

Air Products has partnered with Louisiana Technical College Greater Acadiana Region 4 Foundation. The partnership directly benefits the LTC Lafayette Campus Machine Tool Technology program and includes a $1,500 contribution earmarked for supply and equipment enhancements. In addition, through involvement with SkillsUSA, Air Products has representatives that serve as judges (field experts) for different curricula at both the annual Louisiana SkillsUSA Competition and the annual National Competition.  Phyllis Dupuis, LTC Region 4 Regional Director said, "We are very appreciative to Air Products for partnering with the Lafayette Campus Machine Tool Technology program. Their generosity instills the best learning environment possible for students and contributes to a highly qualified workforce for the in-demand machinist industry."

Keith Brown, Air Products Machinery Technician, added, "At Air Products, we have a long-standing commitment with partners like LTC in the community and we thank LTC for the spirit and energy with which they serve."

For more information regarding partnership opportunities with any of the LTC Greater Acadiana Region 4 Campuses, please contact Kelli Horn by calling (337) 262-5962 or e-mailing khorn@ltc.edu.

 
 

(Left to Right):  Don Deranger (LTC Lafayette Campus Machine Tool Technology Instructor), Keith Brown (Air Products Machinery Technician), Phyllis Dupuis (LTC Region 4 Regional Director), and Desiree Huggins (LTC Lafayette Campus Assistant Dean)

SkillsUSA state competition was held in April at the LTC-Lafayette Campus.  Region 4 gold medal winners will represent their respecitive campuses and the region at the National Leasdership and Skills Conference to be held in Kansas City, June 21-26, 2009.  For a complete listing of Region 4 winners, click "read more..."

As we reflect on yet another year of hard work and amazing accomplishments, we again attribute much of our successes to the Acadiana community. We still have much to do but we have done so much with your encouragement and commitments to the Greater Acadiana Region 4 Foundation. Your participation has again provided a light of hope and accomplishment in staging the Taste of Success.

We heartily commend and appreciate all of our chefs, sponsors, and participants of this year’s outstanding event. With a few dreams and a shared commitment of our community, LTC Region 4 is again a spotlight of our state and heritage. Louisiana is indeed rebirthing but traditions of our extraordinary culture are also reigniting brighter than ever.

Thank YOU again Acadiana for how you care, how you share, and for being there for us!