The traditional college student experience is not so traditional anymore. Students attend college from halfway across the world and sometimes decades removed from the high school experience. For international students, the college campus is not just new but can seem intimidating as so many local students understand the norms and behaviors of this region. For those students returning to college later in life, their realities look much different, and their personal responsibilities stretch well beyond the classroom. Identifying and utilizing campus resources is key to finding the financial, physical, and emotional support so many students need. Our panel of students and staff will explore the bevy of campus resources available to students and how to make the most of your campus experience.

John'Nise Peoples

John’Nise Peoples is a senior political science student with a minor in psychology from Patterson, LA. Upon graduation in May, she plans to gain employment experience for a year before obtaining her Master's in Public Administration, as she aspires to serve her community by becoming a politician.

John’Nise is a prominent member of the campus community here at ULM by serving as a Mentor for TRIO Student Support Services, Secretary and Treasurer of her sorority Zeta Phi Beta, 1st Vice President of ULM’s National Pan-Hellenic Council, and a Resident Assistant with ULM’s Residential Life. In her free time, she enjoys bonding and volunteering with her Sorors, cooking, and tutoring children. John’Nise’s favorite things consist of her bed, books, food and her loved ones.

Ahmaad Solmone

Ahmaad Solmone is from Hammond, LA, and a two-time University of Louisiana Monroe graduate. He currently works in the Office of Recruitment as the Director of Orientation Programs and Special Events, overseeing all new student orientation (PREP and POP) and Campus Tours. Ahmaad also serves as the co-advisor for the Black Student Union on campus. Ahmaad is enrolled in the Doctorate of Higher Education Administration Program at the University of Southern Mississippi. He also serves as a board member for NODA, the International Association for Orientation, Transition, and Retention, where he serves on the executive team as the Equity and Inclusion Officer and oversees the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.

Krishna Patel

Krishna Patel is a recent graduate of the University of Louisiana at Monroe. She is a first-generation college student and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Pre-Professional Health Studies with a minor in psychology and biology. She plans to attend medical school in 2025 with hopes of becoming a Neonatologist or Pediatric Emergency Medicine Physician. She was born in Chicago, Illinois, but was primarily raised in West Monroe, LA. She currently works as an ER Technician at Citizen’s Medical Center in Columbia, LA as well as doing research with Dr. Rebekah and Adam Morrow, and Dr. Voth at VCOM, where they are looking at the injury and repair mechanisms critical to pulmonary endothelial cell function and how that contributes to endothelial infections. 

While at ULM, Krishna was a senator and the speaker of the house for the College of Health Sciences in the Student Government Association, where she was able to be a voice between students and faculty/staff in order to address and alleviate the needs and wants of the students in her college. She was also a Hawkseeker, which allowed her to represent ULM from a student's perspective in order to give prospective ULM students a tour around campus and a glimpse into what life as a student is like. She also held leadership positions such as VP-Events and Programming in Kappa Delta Sorority where she planned a 5k color run to raise funds for Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home as well as Prevent Child Abuse America. Through SGA, she was blessed with the opportunity to be involved in STAP, Title IX, RJA, Academic Enhancement, and the Keep Louisiana Beautiful committee where she was able to voice student concerns and improve student life on campus. 

An initiative that she is currently working on is called the Accessibility Initiative, which focuses on providing feminine hygiene products in women’s restrooms on campus. Krishna spends her free time volunteering at St. Francis’s Newborn Nursery, serving the Monroe community by volunteering at the Northeast Louisiana Food Bank, and being involved in the Ouachita Green organization. Her favorite things are traveling, cooking, watching rare medical disease documentaries, and spending time with my family and friends.

The shift from a high school environment to a college environment is a dramatic change in a student’s life. Suddenly, you are not confined to a specific building during traditional school hours. Your class schedule is self-determined, to some extent, and the educational oversight is little to nonexistent. You are now responsible for your success in college. Personal responsibility and time management become core values of the campus experience. Additionally, with new people and endless social activities, making positive choices that support that goal of graduating can become harder to maintain. They say college is a time for experimentation. And while you should try new things, determining what is good for you and what could steer you off course can get hazy. Our panel of former and current students will explore this topic in detail.

Gabrelle McLeod

Gabrelle McLeod is a senior Kinesiology exercise science major from Vicksburg, MS. She is an alumna of River City Early College High School and Hinds Community College. While in high school, she obtained her Associates Degree in General Studies. As a Warhawk, she is always looking for a way to show her love and excitement for the school! Crowned as the 70th and third African American Miss ULM, she is in preparation to represent the university as she competes for Miss Louisiana in June. Here at ULM, she served as a PREP Staffer welcoming the class of 2027 and many others to the bayou. To her, ULM has become her home away from home. Here at ULM, she is a member of The Black Student Union and Bayou La Belle. After graduating, she plans to continue her education in athletic training and pursue her dream of coaching in athletics. When she’s not occupied by her studies, she enjoys spending time with family, friends, staying fit, and making others laugh.

Jadyn Maloney

Jadyn Maloney is a third-year communications student with a concentration in integrated media.  Pursuing her chosen career path, Jadyn is currently a news reporter for the Nexstar Media Group affiliate, KTVE 10/KARD 14 in West Monroe, LA.

Jadyn has been extremely involved on campus during her time at ULM.  She is a member of Kappa Delta sorority, where she held the position of Vice President for Spring 2023-Fall 2023.  She has only been a member of the ULM Student Government Association for three years, currently serving as Student Body Secretary.  Maloney has had the honor of being on the 2023 ULM Mardi Gras Court, and has been on the Dean’s List for Fall 2021 through Fall 2022, and the President’s List for Spring 2023 through Fall 2023.

David Hernandez

David Hernandez is a senior majoring in Chemistry with a Biochemistry concentration and currently serves as the President of the ULM Student Government Association. David has served previously as Vice President of ULM Student Government Association and has been an active member since 2021. Through ULM SGA, David has focused his role in the organization on promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, combatting food insecurity, and advocating for mental health across all demographics. Aside from serving in student government, David has an active role in organizations such as Beta Beta Beta Biological Honors Society, ULM Honors Program, Chess Club at ULM, Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, and American Chemical Society. While pursuing his degree, David serves Ouachita Parish as an Emergency Medical Technician for Acadian Ambulance Service. Upon graduation, David aims to work towards becoming a flight medic for Acadian Ambulance then later transitioning to flight nursing. 

While college is a time for self-exploration, interacting with new people from different backgrounds, ethnicities, and classes can make fitting in feel like a primary goal. We all struggle to find our place in new spaces. Sometimes, you can feel pressured to participate in activities or behaviors that are antithetical to your personal values, morals, and goals. And that pressure comes from all angles, including personal interactions, group expectations, and social media. Students express feeling self-doubt and worrying about their mental health. That period of adjustment is tenuous. Learning how to make friends and find tribes without the temptation of compromising who you are or damaging your mental and physical health is paramount. Our panel of current and former students will explore college pressure and how to navigate it.

Dr. Avius Carroll

Dr. Carroll oversees regional programs aimed at reducing social determinants to healthcare, health disparities, and promotes better health outcomes through our innovative integrated healthcare network and services. She implements & creates programs to support collaborative efforts across our 12-parish region. She currently serves as the Prevention & Wellness Director for Northeast Delta Human Services Authority.

Dr. Carroll is a received her certification for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion from Cornell  University, an ACE certified educator, certified yoga instructor. She is also the founder and Executive Director of Carroll Group for Health Equity, Advocacy and Research (HEAR), a nonprofit organization aimed to make a positive impact on community health factors in south Monroe. Dr. Carroll’s professional experiences include substance abuse prevention, research and development management and compliance.

Dr. Avius Carroll holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Louisiana Tech University and a Master of Arts degree from Grambling State University. She received her doctorate in Public Health at Jackson State University.

Colby Pogue

Colby Pogue is native of Franklin, Louisiana. While he may be loud and proud about his South Louisiana roots, he takes his celebration for being a Warhawk a bit further. From the time Colby stepped foot onto the University of Louisiana Monroe’s (ULM’s) campus in August 2018, he aspired to represent proudly. He jumped straight into involvement by performing in the Sound of Today marching band (where he served as drum major), giving tour guides as a HawkSeeker, leading orientation through PREP Staff, and guiding students in chemistry through Supplemental Instruction Leadership. Additionally, Colby is a Spring 2021 initiate of the Eta Chi Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc, and he promotes the ideals of his brotherhood daily. Colby’s main recognition stems from his year of service as Mister University of Louisiana Monroe 2023, through which he promoted his community service initiative, “Embrace, Embody, Excel.” Colby graduated with his Bachelor’s of Pharmaceutical Sciences in December 2022. He is currently enrolled in the ULM College of Pharmacy, where he serves as the Vice President for the Pharmacy Executive Council. Colby is projected to complete his Doctor of Pharmacy degree (PharmD) in May 2025. Post graduation, he plans to work in a community based pharmacy setting, where he can access and inspire his patients through education, intentionality, and advocacy.

Meah Sims

Meah Sims is a fourth-year pharmacy student from Kentwood, Louisiana. She is currently enrolled at ULM's College of Pharmacy and is expected to graduate this upcoming May. Patient, nurturing, and caring: Meah is a proud and full-time mother to her most precious daughter, Milani. Milani serves as Meah's motivation and greatest inspiration. 

During her time at ULM, Meah has remained involved in numerous organizations. She served as a member of ULM's Cheerleading team, the Campus Activity Board, and TRIO. In these organizations, she was able to give back to her community and campus by serving the student body, advocating for the funding of higher education at the state's capitol, volunteering at the NELA Foodbank, and visiting elementary schools to read to students. While enrolled as a pharmacy student, she was a member of the Student National Pharmacist Association, American Pharmacists Association, Christian Pharmacists Fellowship International, Phi Delta Chi, Louisiana Society of Health Systems Pharmacists, and Louisiana Independent Pharmacies Association. Within these organizations, she was able to volunteer in places such as Grace's Soup Kitchen, visit the state capitol to advocate for the passing of various pharmacy laws and participate in numerous events focused on bringing awareness to various health conditions. 

In August of 2021, Meah's father, Michael, passed away from COVID-19. He suffered from diabetes, and it was ultimately because of this underlying health condition that he is no longer here today. Since his passing, Meah has become very passionate and dedicated to helping people who also suffer from this chronic condition. This past year she served as head chair for the Student National Pharmacist Association's Fighting Diabetes Initiative. As head chair, she organized many events to raise awareness and educate on diabetes in innovative and creative ways such as orchestrating a campus-wide walk to raise awareness on world diabetes day and organizing a health fair during ULM's University Mile. Her initiative provided screenings, education, and healthy snacks to participants and spectators at the events. She also was able to organize a collaborative event with Walmart Pharmacy during their Wellness Day to provide health screenings and educate on diabetes awareness. Meah was also given the honor to expand her influence by serving as a chairman on the national Fighting Diabetes subcommittee. Her dedication to the fighting diabetes mission allows her to honor her father's legacy by aiding in the prevention and management of the disease that caused her family so much hardship.