June 30, 2025
NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University’s Sponsored Programs Office shares the following news and announcements.
Congratulations
Dr. Curtis Penrod, School of Business, College of Business and Technology, received notification of a $40,000 award from the Cybersecurity Education Management Council entitled, “Central Louisiana Cybersecurity Talent Enhancement Program.” Dr. Begona Perez-Mira and Dr. Carmella Parker are collaborators.
Ms. Krislyn Chenevert, College of Nursing and School of Allied Health, received notification of a $2,225 award from the Central Louisiana Area Health Education Center entitled, “2025 Camp Fast Forward.” Dr. Aimee Badeaux, Dr. Anna Morris, andMs. Tiffany Chasteen are collaborators.
Dr. Elizabeth Pursell, Academic Success Center, College of Arts and Sciences, received notification of a $100,000 award from the Louisiana Board of Regents entitled, “Catapulting Student Success through Motivation, Transparency, and Support.” Dr. Francene Lemoine, Dr. Thomas Reynolds, Dr. Jerry Brunson, Dr. Leslie Gruesbeck, Ms. Alicia Book, Ms. Shannon Wall-Hale, Ms. Charidy Melder, and Mr. Edgar Martinez are collaborators.
Dr. Shane Rasmussen, LA Folklife Center, College of Arts and Sciences, received notification of three awards entitled, “45th Annual Natchitoches–NSU Folk Festival.”
Louisiana Office of Tourism for $2,285,
Natchitoches Historic Development Commission for $2,500, and
Cane River National Heritage Area for $2,000.
Ms. Shondrika Johnson is a collaborator.
Ms. Reatha Cox, Vice President for the Student Experience, received notification of a $10,000 award from the Louisiana Board of Regents entitled, “Louisiana Board of Regents Hunger-Free Campus.” Dr. Yonna Pasch is a collaborator.
Dr. Aimee Badeaux, College of Nursing and School of Allied Health, received notification of a five-year award in the amount of $3,109,879.39 from Willis Knighton Health entitled, “MOU between WKH and NSU in Support of NSU’s Nurse Anesthesia Program.” Ms. Tiffany Chasteen is a collaborator.
Dr. Charles King, Department of Psychology and Addiction Studies, Gallaspy College of Education and Human Development, received notification of a $396,000 award from the Louisiana Board of Regents entitled, “Collegiate Recovery Program.” Ms. Hillary Bennett is a collaborator.
Dr. Michelle Brunson, Early Childhood Education, Gallaspy College of Education and Human Development, received notification of a $1,000 award from the International Paper Giving Foundation entitled, “Remapping the Cradle to Prison Pipeline to Cradle to College in Natchitoches through Early Literacy Intervention.”
Current Activities
Ms. Jennifer Cowan, Department of Child and Family Network, Gallaspy College of Education and Human Development, submitted two proposals to the Louisiana Department of Education entitled, “Louisiana Pathways Career Development System,” and “Louisiana Pathways Scholarship.” Ms. Nancy P. Alexander is a collaborator.
Mrs. Bryn Dill, Department of Athletics, submitted a proposal to the National Collegiate Athletic Association entitled, “NCAA Accelerating Academic Success Program (AASP) Single-Year Grant.” Mr. Dustin Eubanks is a collaborator.
Dr. Aimee Badeaux, College of Nursing and School of Allied Health, submitted a Memorandum of Understanding to Christus Health Central Louisiana entitled, “Christus Cabrini-Nursing Faculty Support.” Ms. Tiffany Chasteen is a collaborator.
Ms. Julie Longlois, Office of Economic Learning and Global Engagement, submitted a proposal to the Louisiana Community and Technical College System entitled, “Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century (Perkins V).” Ms. Stephanie Henson is a collaborator.
Dr. Shane Rasmussen, Folklife Center, College of Arts and Sciences, submitted a proposal to the Louisiana Division of the Arts entitled, “2026 Natchitoches – NSU Folk Festival.”
Mr. JD Cox, Department of Biology and Microbiology, College of Arts and Sciences, submitted a proposal to the Natural Resources Conservation Service entitled, “NSU Drone Remote Sensing.”
Mr. Trenton O’Neal, Department of Biology and Microbiology, College of Arts and Sciences, submitted a proposal to International Paper Foundation entitled, “Student Career Readiness Workshops and Career Fair.” Dr. Jerry Brunson is a collaborator.
Dr. Joseph Straub, Department of Biology and Microbiology, School of STEM, College of Arts and Sciences, submitted a proposal to the Japan – United States Friendship Commission entitled, “Study Abroad with Partner University in Japan: Kanagawa University.” Ms. Valentina Herazo-Alvarez is a collaborator.
For assistance in seeking information about funding opportunities, preparing proposals, or administering projects, contact the Sponsored Programs Office (SPO) by phone at 357-5222, email at spo@nsula.edu, or visit the SPO website.
SPO STAFF
Alysia L. Jones, Director
Amber Campa, Coordinator
