Amanda Smith named Rogers Community Service Award winner
Amanda Smith, director of Cosmetology at LSCPA, proves that her field of expertise involves far more than a clip and cut. It involves a big heart as well.
Smith has dedicated herself and her Cosmetology program to the betterment of the community. For her ef-
Amanda Smith
forts, she was named the 2015 Ben and Julie Rogers Community Service Award winner. The annual award recognizes exemplary effort in community service by one faculty or staff member at Lamar University, Lamar Institute of Technology, Lamar State College-Orange and Lamar State College Port Arthur.
Many of Smith’ s contributions to the community came with the help of her students in the LSCPA Cosmetology program. Among those were manicures for residents of Oak Grove Nursing Home and Port Arthur Community Retirement Home.
The group also donated Christmas toys to the Kiwanis Club, Blue Santa and The United Board of Missions, while cutting hair at Nederland Stadium for Relay for Life, Nederland High School’ s Back-To-School Cut-a-Thon to give free haircuts as well as accompanying LSC-O to its Back-To-School Cut-a-Thon to give free cuts.
Smith implemented the“ Be the Match Registry” at LSCPA Cosmetology with a representative of that group speaking to students about becoming a bone marrow donor. Smith, in fact, has registered herself to be added to the bone marrow registry. Another service organization,“ Cut It Out,” was introduced to LSCPA Cosmetology students via Amanda’ s interaction. This group helps students identify physical abuse and how to direct customers in trouble to those who can help.
Other organizations benefiting from Amanda’ s help are the Baptist Student Ministry, American Cancer Society, Southeast Texas Food Bank, Port City Rescue Mission and The Garth House.
Amanda works with area schools, serving twice as a judge for Skills USA annual competitions at Taylor Career Technical School.
LSCPA adds three to administration
During the past year, the LSCPA administration has seen three new additions to its roster.
Joining the staff were Dean of Student Services Dr. Deborrah Hebert
Deborrah Hebert and Dean of Technical Programs Sheila Trahan. J. Mark Knowles, who has been with LSCPA since the early 1990s, was promoted to Director of Institutional Effectiveness.
Mark Knowles
Dr. Hebert supervises Admissions, Advising, Enrollment Services, Financial Aid and Student Activities.
In his capacity, Sheila Trahan Knowles collects information and data from national, state and campus sources for analysis and evaluation. He then reports the results to campus administrators, staff and faculty to facilitate better decision-making opportunities.
Trahan works with the many technical programs on campus, helping to coordinate continued growth and success. Among those programs are Process Technology, Instrumentation, Cosmetology, Automotive Technology, Office Administration, Graphic Design, Accounting, Medical Coding Specialist, and Software Developer.
2015-2016 REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY | PAGE 19