South Louisiana Community College

Welcome Week is here, and we cannot wait to see you!

Stop by your campus this week for snacks, giveaways, and the warm welcome you deserve as you start this semester. Whether you're returning or just joining us, this is your SoLAcc and we're here to support you every step of the way.

Let's make this semester unforgettable. Welcome home, Owls! 🦉💙

Taking off on Soleil Air, Flight 2631!

This week, our entire college family came together at the Cajundome Convention Center for Fall Kick-Off 2026. Under the theme "One College. One Crew. One Destination," we celebrated everything our students, faculty, and staff accomplished over the past five years while charting an exciting path forward.

Guided by Dr. Vincent June, our Chancellor and Flight Captain of the day, we officially launched "SoLAccNext: Accelerating Impact." This next leg of our journey focuses on you, opening even more doors for student success, regional growth, and meaningful opportunities across Acadiana.

Stay tuned in the coming months as we share more about how this vision takes flight across our campuses.

Special thanks to our friends at University of Louisiana Federal Credit Union for helping fuel our celebration! ✈️

Walk into our kitchen, and you would swear you stepped straight into a boutique bakery!

Fourteen of our culinary students poured their hearts into their final dessert showcase, and every single taste brought us so much joy. Behind each intricate crust and swirl of chocolate sits hours of practice, recipe testing, and pure creative drive happening right here at SoLAcc. They truly outdid themselves, and we can tell you first hand, the results tasted just as amazing as they look.

Swipe through to see the artistry our students brought to the table!

Great events take strong community partners, and South Louisiana Community College found a fantastic one in University of Louisiana Federal Credit Union!

Today, faculty and staff from all 9 campuses across our 8-parish region will gather at the Cajundome Convention Center for Convocation. This annual event brings our entire team together under one roof to reconnect and prepare to welcome students back to campus next week.

UL Federal Credit Union stepped up as our Convocation Sponsor, helping make this gathering possible. Their generous support directly strengthens our ability to host an impactful event for our dedicated educators and staff. Thank you, UL Federal Credit Union, for standing with us as we kick off a great new academic year! 🤝

Celebrating a huge milestone for Acadiana healthcare! Our very first cohort of working nurses just completed the Next Level Nursing: Acadiana Pathway.

Through the Next Level Nursing: Acadiana Pathway, South Louisiana Community College and Ochsner Lafayette General have teamed up to help licensed practical nurses (LPNs) earn their Associate of Science in Nursing degree to become registered nurses (RNs)—all while staying employed.

Our very first cohort just completed the program! Pictured here are our dedicated nurses proudly holding their pins and lamps as they celebrate their big milestone.

This incredible initiative comes to life through a $312,196 grant from Louisiana's Healthcare Employment Reinvestment Opportunity (HERO) Fund, matched by Ochsner for a total investment of over $624,000 into Acadiana's healthcare workforce.

Participating nurses keep their jobs at Ochsner Lafayette General throughout the program while receiving robust support, including:
• Covered tuition assistance, textbooks, and uniforms
• Required health screenings
• Paid classroom and clinical apprenticeship training
• Dedicated tutoring, success coaching, and NCLEX-RN prep

"When education and industry come together with a shared purpose, we create opportunities that change lives," said Dr. Vincent June, Chancellor of South Louisiana Community College. "This partnership removes barriers for working nurses who want to advance their careers while helping address one of our region's greatest workforce needs. It's exactly the kind of collaboration that strengthens our communities and improves healthcare across Acadiana."

We love seeing local nurses grow and thrive while continuing to care for our neighbors across Louisiana! Join us in congratulating these amazing graduates!

Exciting news for Iberia Parish!

SoLAcc is bringing hands-on healthcare training directly to our New Iberia campus with our six-week Certified Nursing Assistant program. You build core medical skills and jump straight into real-world experience, preparing you for immediate opportunities in hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities.

You train directly alongside industry professionals at Maison Teche Nursing Center.

"Preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals is both a responsibility and a privilege," said Hayley Boutte, Administrator of Maison Teche Nursing Center. "Maison Teche is proud to serve as a clinical site for SoLAcc CNA students, helping build a workforce grounded in compassion, excellence, and service to others."

Learn more about this new program and how to start your CNA journey in the comments below! 👇

Drive by the Health and Sciences building and you'll notice something new: our full name now shines across the building.

Seeing South Louisiana Community College written out in full just hits differently. The old letters served us well, but this fresh look brings a whole new energy to campus!

Inside these doors, our nursing and healthcare students put in the work every single day, from hands-on simulation labs to early morning study sessions. The new sign gives them an entrance that matches the incredible dedication happening inside.

Next time you pass by, check out the new look and celebrate this milestone with us! 💙

Big news for our SoLAcc family! Culinary student Laura Thibodeaux was selected for the Disney Culinary Program at Walt Disney World!

Laura is spending the fall semester gaining hands-on experience at one of the top hospitality destinations in the world. Even better, she was chosen for an amazing assignment: working the famous EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival.

"I have always loved Disney World," Laura said. "Where better than the most magical place on earth to gain experience?"

We are so proud to see Laura representing SoLAcc as she sharpens her skills alongside industry professionals.

Please join us in wishing Laura the best of luck on this amazing opportunity!

Read more about her journey in the comments below.👇

Our Ville Platte Practical Nursing class earned a 100% NCLEX pass rate!

Watching this group pour heart and energy into every single lesson, clinical hour, and study session made this achievement so rewarding to see. That steady drive carried every single graduate straight to *complete* success on their licensure exams.

These new nurses are ready to make a real difference in local patient care. We've seen the vital skill, deep empathy, and fresh energy that will be brought directly to our Acadiana healthcare community through their work, and we are so proud to celebrate these incredible healthcare leaders! 💙

Instructors from left to right: Becky Fontenot, Shanon Reviere, Kristy Thibodeaux

Students from left to right: bottom row- Kourie Calloway, Meagan Daniel, Victoria Robert, Chrishonda Guillory, Abby Taylor, and Francesca Gallow.
Top row: Mya Mallet, Dorian Guillory, Anna LaCombe, Alexis Jones, and Regan Fontenot.

The Early College Academy partnership between Lafayette Parish School System and SoLAcc proves that collaboration creates opportunity!

Through ECA Lafayette Parish high school students have the chance to earn college credit, explore career paths, and get a head start on their future, all while staying close to home. This program removes barriers and builds bridges, giving students the tools they need to thrive in the real world.

We believe education should always be within reach, and this partnership makes that belief a reality. Together, we are creating a stronger workforce and a more vibrant Acadiana, one student at a time.

Read the full story below to see how we're changing what's possible for the next generation!

https://bit.ly/4xpSRMv

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