Ariel Ferchard | Coordinator of Minority Recruitment
Ariel Ferchaud envisioned a stale, close-minded, country campus. However, the 
diverse and innovative academic programs, organizations, events and people at Nicholls caught her by surprise … and after that, it didn’t take this Vacherie native long to find her niche.
During her first semester, Ferchaud began working on campus as a student worker/production assistant in the Department of E-Learning. She served as a member of the Student Government Association Election Commission and later as the SGA director of public relations. Ferchaud also joined and became president of the Public Relations Student Society of America, which opened up an opportunity for her to travel to New York City for a national convention.
“Going to New York was a hands-on experience that allowed me to see where my degree could take me,” Ferchaud says. “I was able to participate in the workshops and meet public relations professionals. It was also great to see all the work that went into our fund-raising for the trip finally pay off.”
After earning her bachelor’s degree in mass communication in May 2006, Ferchaud began working as a communication assistant for the Morial Convention Center in New Orleans. In June 2007, she was hired as the coordinator of minority recruitment in the Nicholls Office of Admissions.
“I had a great experience at Nicholls as an undergraduate and see this as a great opportunity to recruit others, in hopes that they may have a similar experience to what I had,” Ferchaud says.
Ferchaud’s main goal is to change the inaccurate perception that Nicholls isn’t diverse or modern. The Nicholls Office of Admissions works toward this by offering minority leadership scholarships and hosting an annual Multi Cultural Day. The office also has implemented several programs to meet the needs of the Spanish-speaking community.
During her spare time, Ferchaud enjoys shopping, hanging out with friends and family and traveling.