Last week, the Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS) held its Annual Conference, bringing leaders in higher education together to learn best practices that improve the lives and education of Louisiana residents. During the opening night of the conference, the LCTCS Foundation held the annual Impact Awards Gala to recognize individuals, organizations, and businesses whose leadership efforts have been notably effective in advancing Louisiana’s education and workforce needs.
SLCC’s own, LeAnn Birchfield, was honored with the “I Am Louisiana’s Future” Scholarship. This award recognizes the accomplishments of an outstanding LCTCS college student.
“LeAnn is a bright light. She serves as a role model and mentor to her fellow students at SLCC through her words and her actions, and she provides hope for those with their own obstacles to overcome,” says SLCC Chancellor, Dr. Vincent June. “LeAnn’s dream is to ultimately become a nurse practitioner and she intends to use her career to help those in need and those who don’t have a voice. LeAnn and students just like her will make great strides in our community and beyond.”
LeAnn is active in campus life as well as her community and was one of the recipients of the Spring 2023 One Acadiana Scholarship. She was tapped by the SLCC Foundation to give her moving testimonial at the accompanying Scholarship Reception and at One Acadiana’s 55 by 25 luncheon in May. She also secured a gold medal for Practical Nursing at the national SkillsUSA competition. At the state level, she took home the bronze medal in Medical Terminology, silver in First Aid and CPR, and gold in Practical Nursing. Her performance marked the first time an SLCC student achieved three medals in one competition year. LeAnn prioritizes her involvement in SLCC’s Student Government Association serving as the Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion and the representative for the Practical Nursing program. Her volunteerism at the college reflects her desire to bring up others who are in similar situations. She continually notes that SLCC has given her the gift of education and she owes part of her success to the SLCC family.
“A degree from SLCC is more than just an accomplishment to me. It is the ability to provide a better life for my children, have a career, and financial security, break generational boundaries, and, most importantly, fulfill a lifelong goal,” says Birchfield.
SLCC extends its sincere gratitude to LeAnn for her accomplishments and warm congratulations to all of this year’s winners.