Dr. Alicia Jones
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Dr. Alicia Jones, a native of Opelousas, Louisiana, was born into a family deeply
rooted in education, with two grandparents who were elementary educators. Driven by
a passion for the sciences, she pursued a BS in Biological Sciences at Southern University
and A & M College, earning her degree in 2012. Building on her foundation, Dr. Jones
furthered her education with a BS in Clinical Lab Sciences from Our Lady of the Lake,
a master’s in Biology from the University of Louisiana Monroe, and finally her doctorate
of education from ÃÛ½ÛÖ±²¥ in 2022
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With a solid background in the sciences, Dr. Jones made a pivotal shift to the K-12
education sector. Her journey in education began at Caldwell Parish High School and
Carroll high School, where she taught Biology and ACT Prep classes. Recognized for
her outstanding contributions, she was awarded Teacher of the Year at Carroll in 2020.
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In 2022, Dr. Jones took her wealth of experience to higher education, joining the
ÃÛ½ÛÖ±²¥ Career Center and eventually became program director of the medical lab technician
program at Louisiana Delta Community College. Beyond her roles in traditional education,
Dr. Alicia Jones is a dedicated community servant. She serves as the Director of Curriculum
for the Literacy and Art Bus mobile classroom, a project designed to bring art and
literacy programming to underserved communities. Her multifaceted career reflects
a commitment to education, positive community impact, and a relentless pursuit of
knowledge.
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DeeDee Wednesday
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DeeDee Wednesday is an experienced licensed therapist and researcher. Mrs. Wednesday
has devoted her career the wellness and healing of the Black community through advocacy,
research, and clinical practice. As a member and advocate to the Black and LGBTQIA+
communities DeeDee publicly and enthusiastically brings awareness to the importance
of affluence in affirmative mental health.
DeeDee works to profoundly change the practices of mental health professionals by
challenging and shifting the biases present in the foundations of mental health practices.
With a present focus on imposter syndrome among Black professionals and students she
aims to reduce negative stereotypes and biased expectations that create increased
tension amongst Black individuals in healthcare.Ìý
Aside from counseling DeeDee works with employers through consultation to transform
their organizations by pivoting established beliefs that do not serve their employees.
With extensive skills in assessment, and DEI DeeDee provides valuable training and
wellness sessions to create a safe space for personnel and managers.
With her experience in social media DeeDee uses her influence and platform to educate
the public on mental health and empowers her supporters to value and practice self-advocacy
through providing resources and opportunities for radical healing and growth.Ìý
Apart from her clinical practices, DeeDee leans into enjoying her family, practising
yoga, and cooking, and is an enthusiastic poet. She spends her time filling her mind
with information through reading and creating art to feed the souls of the community.
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Cindy Foust
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Always a writer, Cindy Foust began writing as a coping mechanism after the loss of
her 2-year-old son, Samuel, which served as the catalyst for starting a publishing
company, Alpha-kidZ. Within 3 years the company gained traction and began to grow
though the help of industry giants like Wal-Mart, and the company found themselves
in 187 stores. However, tragedy struck again, and the company office flooded in 2011.
In 2012, Cindy found out she had breast cancer, and the company would be forced to
take a backseat during the recovery process. Years later, the dream continues, as
Cindy has relaunched the business with a blog and plans to finish the alphabet-based
series. She is currently a Development Officer with the ÃÛ½ÛÖ±²¥ Foundation, a job that
brings her great joy and pride as she gets to work with alumni, community and business
leaders to honor their wishes to give back to the University. Because higher education
has become so meaningful to her, Cindy also pursued her master's degree and in 2023,
received her MPA from her beloved university, ÃÛ½ÛÖ±²¥. As a busy mother to three children
(including her daughter-in-love), Cindy has a passion for cooking, writing and hosting
friends and family in her home as often as possible. She is anxiously awaiting the
arrival of her first grandchild in April, 2024, a little girl, Britton Scott.
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