By Brittany Wall

Staff Writer

Shakira Hardison, coordinator of residential life, has been named the president elect of the Louisiana Association of College and University Student Personnel Administration or LACUSPA.

Hardison, who was already secretary treasurer for the organization, was nominated by a fellow colleague from the department of housing.

According to a guide released by Bradley S. O'Hara, former president of LACUSPA, the organization was developed for the purpose of networking and for providing for a sharing of knowledge and information on important topics facing Louisiana student affairs officers.

"I feel like this is such an accomplishment to have been selected for this position in such a wonderful organization," Hardison said.

As president elect, Hardison said she will be responsible for coordinating and planning the entire 2005 LACUSPA Conference. After the conference, Hardison will take over as the president of the organization.

"We are very honored that she was nominated and has received this position," Samuel Speed, director of housing and information technology, said. "She is very deserving of this."

But Hardison said there have been others from the school who have held positions in the organization in the past. Dr. Jim King, vice president of student affairs, and Dr. Dee Dee Anderson, dean of student development, have both served in the organization.

Though Hardison is new to the position, she said she still has expectations for herself as leader and for the advancement of the LACUSPA Conference and the organization as a whole.

"The biggest expectation is to continue to improve the organization," Hardison said. "I want to continue to improve the conference program, which includes presentations that are offered throughout the state."

Hardison has already started focusing on planning the conference, which according to O'Hara's guide, is an important role in the development of student affairs professionals by providing formal presentations, roundtable discussions and networking activities.

LACUSPA also includes two-year and four-year public and private colleges and universities under the Louisiana Board of Regents as well as institutions which are part of the Louisiana Technical College.

Among the things Hardison is planning to continue in the improvement of the organization is adding a Web site about LACUSPA and the LACUSPA conference so that more people can receive information on the organization and how beneficial it is to student life.