Lori H. Richard serves as Coordinator of the Office of Student Engagement, a department located within University College.  The Office of Student Engagement coordinates and manages several university-wide initiatives, including the Tutorial and Academic Enhancement Center (Peltier Hall), Dual Enrollment/Early Start program (Elkins Hall), and the Student Engagement Center (Peltier Hall).

Before being named the Coordinator of the Office of Student Engagement, Richard served as a Professional Adviser within University College’s Academic Advising Center.  Richard advised freshman biology, chemistry, and math majors during this tenure.  In addition, Richard served as an instructor of UNIV101, a university required course used to acclimate first-time freshman to Nicholls State University.

Richard has also served as an Athletic Academic Adviser in the Office of Athletic Academic Services, also located within University College.  In this role, Richard worked directly with student-athletes, coaches, faculty, and staff to ensure student-athletes’ success in the classroom.  Richard also managed the Student-Athlete Collaborative Learning Center, a resource for student-athletes to utilize while completing their studies at Nicholls State University.

The Midland, La. native arrived in Thibodaux after earning her B.S. of Vocational Education in 2002 and M.S. of Human Resource Education and Workforce Development in 2004 from LSU in Baton Rouge.  Richard has since returned to the classroom to complete her Ph.D. in Human Resource Education and Leadership Development at LSU.

Prior to Nicholls, Richard worked in the private sector.  Richard served as a member of the marketing team for the Baton Rouge based, national restaurant chain, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers.  While there, Richard managed the company’s philanthropic giving and special marketing projects, including gift card sales.

Richard also has several years of experience working with non-profit, educational, youth organizations.  She spent two years managing Career Development Events for the Louisiana Association of FFA.  Richard has also interned with the LSU AgCenter working with 4-H members in Acadia Parish.  In addition, she completed an internship with the National FFA Organization in Indianapolis, IN.  While working for the National FFA Organization, she furthered her work experience with Career Development Events and also organized and implemented Career Success Tours that were available to over 55,000 students, teachers and guests of the 2004 National FFA convention in Louisville, KY.