USD to Host National Leader on First-generation Students
Ardoin is an associate professor and program director for student affairs administration at Appalachian State University and a CatalystFirst speaker with the NASPA Center for First-Generation Student Success. As part of her visit, Ardoin will meet with stakeholders involved with USD’s strategic plan and guest lecture in a course for future higher education leaders within the School of Education's Division of Educational Leadership.
“We are very fortunate to have Dr. Ardoin visiting us and for so many campus units collaborating to support our first-generation USD students,” said Dallas Doane, TRIO director and co-sponsor for Ardoin’s visit. “Her scholarship and experience with rural, first-generation college students will help us recruit and retain more students and celebrate their success.”
Faculty members are encouraged to attend a workshop with Ardoin entitled “Building a First-Gen Foundation: Preparing Classrooms & Curricula” from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Please RSVP in advance to [email protected].
Students are invited to an open session with Ardoin and the First-generation Student Organization at 2 p.m. in the North Complex Commons 102.
Ardoin is visiting the university due to a collaboration between several campus units, including Academic Affairs, the HHMI Inclusive Science Initiative, the Center for Teaching and Learning, the First-generation Student Organization and TRIO Student Support Services.
Ardoin, Ph.D., is a learner, educator, facilitator, and author. Proud of her rural hometown of Vidrine, Louisiana, her working-class, Cajun roots, and her first-generation college student to Ph.D. journey, Sonja holds degrees from LSU, Florida State, and NC State. She considers herself a scholar-practitioner of higher education and studies social class identity, college access and success for rural and first-generation college students, student and women’s leadership, and career preparation and pathways in higher education and student affairs. Learn more about Sonja's work at www.sonjaardoin.com.
