Southern Louisiana Team
Jamie Foster, South LA Regional Coordinator
Career Compass Starting Year: 2014
College Alma Mater(s): Southeastern Louisiana University
Degree(s): B.S. Elementary Education
High School Alma Mater: Archbishop Chapelle High School, Metairie, LA
Being a Career Compass coach is the best job ever. As a college & career coach, I get the opportunity to help students find the post-high school plan best suited to their aspirations and abilities. With all the choices, decisions, and expectations our students face, they need someone to help them make sense of it all. That’s what I do! More importantly, I get to help them achieve their goals after high school. It’s the best feeling to see them have hope for their future.
Ellen Eldridge, Assistant Regional Coordinator
Career Compass Starting Year: 2015
College Alma Mater(s): Louisiana State University, University of North Florida
Degree(s): B.A. Secondary Education, M.E. Professional Education
High School Alma Mater: Vermilion Catholic High School, Abbeville, LA
I decided to become a Career Compass coach because it allows me to stay involved in education by providing a significant service to young people. The post-secondary world can be very intimidating. This job provides me the opportunity to change students’ mindsets about what “college” really means. Career Compass motivates students to make informed choices based on what is relevant, practical, and most importantly, meaningful to their life.
Abadie, Amy
Career Compass Starting Year: 2009
Degree(s): B.A. Speech Communications
College Alma Mater(s): Louisiana State University
High School Alma Mater: St. Joseph’s Academy, Baton Rouge, LA
Being a Career Compass coach is the best job ever because I get to make a difference in the lives of many students! And it’s the most gratifying job knowing that I’ve touched a life in some way.
Bankston, Jeri
Career Compass Starting Year: 2015
College Alma Mater(s): Southeastern Louisiana University
Degree(s): B.A. English, Alternate Certification – Upper Education
High School Alma Mater: Holden School, Holden, LA
My favorite day with Career Compass thus far has been when I met with a special young lady who was a senior. After we registered her for a university, she began to cry tears of joy. She explained to me that no one in her family had graduated from high school much less gone to a university. She said that her family was going to be beyond proud of her accomplishments. That day I knew how important Career Compass was to students’ lives.
Beckman, Phyllis
Career Compass Starting Year: 2017
College Alma Mater(s): Nicholls State University
Degree(s): B.S. Business Education
High School Alma Mater: Assumption High School, Napoleonville, LA
I retired from the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, but knew that I was not ready to completely leave the workforce. The Career Compass coach job is a great fit because allows me to use my background in higher education to help students make informed decisions about their post-secondary options. Being able to motivate and encourage high school students has been very rewarding.
Cartwright, Libby
Career Compass Starting Year: 2020
College Alma Mater(s): Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
Degree(s): Bachelor of Science
High School Alma Mater: Menard High School, Alexandria, LA
I decided to become a Career Compass college & career coach because I retired after 28 years of teaching. Even so, I still have a place in my heart that loves helping students achieve their dreams.
Coats, Laura
Career Compass Starting Year: 2010
College Alma Mater(s): Louisiana State University
Degree(s): B.S. Psychology
High School Alma Mater: Broadmoor High School, Baton Rouge, LA
Being a Career Compass coach is the best job ever because I get to meet with high school students every day and help guide them into making decisions about their post-secondary plans. It is very rewarding to be able to make a difference in their lives.
Couvillion, Beth
Career Compass Starting Year: 2012
College Alma Mater(s): University of Southern Mississippi
Degree(s): B.A. Education
High School Alma Mater: St. Mary’s Dominican High School, New Orleans, LA
I feel I’m making a difference because we are able to help students reach their goals of going to college. It is a great feeling when we are able to show them the many options they have when pursuing a post-secondary education.
Fontenot, Dixye
Career Compass Starting Year: 2019
College Alma Mater(s): Southeastern Louisiana University
Degree(s): M.A. Health Studies; B.A. Kinesiology and Health Promotion
High School Alma Mater: Belaire High School, Baton Rouge, LA
I decided to become a Career Compass coach because I love motivating students to strive to achieve their educational goals. I want to help students believe in themselves!
Hamilton, Tracy
Career Compass Starting Year: 2018
College Alma Mater(s): Louisiana State University, Southeastern Louisiana University
Degree(s): B.S. General Studies; M.S. Health Promotion Exercise Science
High School Alma Mater: Mandeville High School, Mandeville, LA
Being a Career Compass coach is the best job ever because I love getting the students to start thinking about things they CAN become. I get excited helping them develop a plan to make that happen.
Landry, Brandyn
Career Compass Starting Year: 2012
College Alma Mater(s): Louisiana State University
Degree(s): B.S. Rehabilitation Services
High School Alma Mater: Belaire High School, Baton Rouge, LA
I feel I’m making a difference because I can see the faces of students when they receive information they didn’t have prior to our encounter. Their faces light up when they receive the ACT scores they needed for a particular college, and there are tears of joy when they are accepted into the college to which we helped them apply!
McCartney, Melissa
Career Compass Starting Year: 2019
College Alma Mater(s): Southeastern Louisiana University
Degree(s): B.A. in Organization Communication
High School Alma Mater: St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Hammond, LA
I feel I am making a difference because every student is different, and Career Compass gives me the opportunity to customize our conversations to suit every student’s needs. We have the important conversations at the time when students can really make an impact on their future. And that is why this is the best job ever!
McHugh, Cathy
Career Compass Starting Year: 2018
College Alma Mater(s): Louisiana State University
Degree(s): B.S. Math Education; M.Ed. and EdS - Administration
High School Alma Mater: Baker High School, Baker, LA
I decided to become a Career Compass coach because I wanted to work with students at this important time in their school careers. There are so many options for young people and it is very rewarding to help them with their choices.
Miller, Ashley
Career Compass Starting Year: 2020
College Alma Mater(s): Southeastern Louisiana University
Degree(s): B.S. Accounting; B.S. Business Management 2004
High School Alma Mater: St. Charles Catholic High School, LaPlace, LA
I decided to become a Career Compass coach because I was blessed with great counselors and coaches when I was in high school, which led to my earning two bachelor degrees with zero debt. I am the first in my family to graduate from a university. My parents were so pleased that I was able to gain a post-secondary education without costing them a penny. My education has afforded me many opportunities in my life, and this job is a great way to pay it forward. I pinch myself when I think about having a career that allows me to do something that I am so passionate about, while guiding young adults in higher learning. This is the best job ever!
Miller, Eleanor
Career Compass Starting Year: 2019
College Alma Mater(s): University of New Orleans
Degree(s): B.A. Vocal Music Education
High School Alma Mater: Sacred Heart High School, New Orleans, LA
I think Career Compass is the best opportunity ever because I get to connect with students on a personal level and help them create who they want to be. As a high schooler, I was clueless about what I wanted to do or what I wanted to be. I knew I wanted to go to college, but I did not have any guidance from counselors in my high school, nor at my college. So for me, it is personal. Being able to motivate and take an active, caring role in the future of our students is the best part of being a coach. I love seeing their smiles at the end of our sessions. I love knowing I made a difference in some small way. Career Compass is truly all about helping young people find their place in our world.
Musmanno, Lorna
Career Compass Starting Year: 2021
College Alma Mater(s): University of New Orleans
Degree(s): B.A. Education, Elementary, Special Education (1-12)
High School Alma Mater: Archbishop Blenk High School, Gretna, LA
I decided to become a Career Compass coach because I enjoy meeting with students on an individual basis and providing them with support and guidance with decisions about furthering their education. Being able to interact with students on a positive level and offer them support with their future plans is so rewarding. I know I’m making a difference because I can offer support that the student may not be able to obtain otherwise.
Noble-Hodge, Misty
Career Compass Starting Year: 2019
College Alma Mater(s): Southeastern Louisiana University, Louisiana State University
Degree(s): B.S Math Education; M.Ed. and EdS - Administration
High School Alma Mater: East St. John High School, Reserve, LA
I feel like I’m making a difference because of my dedication to making a difference in the lives of students in my community! I know that when we succeed, we succeed together as a community. Each individual cog in the machine is invaluable! As a college & career coach, I am afforded the opportunity to continue my passion for education while making a difference in the lives of high school students by guiding them through planning the important next steps in their lives.
Perego, Lucretia
Career Compass Starting Year: 2008
College Alma Mater(s): Nicholls State University
Degree(s): M.Ed. +30
High School Alma Mater: Robert E. Lee High School, Baton Rouge, LA
Being a Career Compass coach is the best job ever because it has allowed me to assist many students in the next phase of their lives, and at the same time, take care of my own family.
Summers, Tiffany
Career Compass Starting Year: 2020
College Alma Mater(s): University of New Orleans; Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center
Degree(s): B.A. Psychology; M.H.S. Counseling
High School Alma Mater: Belaire (Medical Magnet) High School, Baton Rouge, LA
I decided to become a Career Compass college & career coach because I have always enjoyed working with students and their families. I want every student to know that there is a place for them in this world, and they can make a positive contribution to their family, their community, and the world.