February Member Spotlight(s) - Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Ⓡ - Eta Chi Omega
Thomasine Batiste is a native of St. Martinville, Louisiana and currently resides in Lafayette, Louisiana. She was initiated into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Ⓡ, Beta Psi Chapter in Baton Rouge, LA in 1996. She has been a member of Eta Chi Omega Chapter for eighteen years. Thomasine is a proud alumnus of Southern University. She is a Louisiana certified teacher who successfully accomplished the following credentialing on her state licensing: Elementary 1-8 and School Librarian. In addition, she has a Masters in Education.
Thomasine is passionate about Target 4, The Arts! because unfortunately the art curriculum is being extracted from the public-school systems. She believes this extraction is a huge disservice to the students because it is proven through research, that involvement in the arts helps with math, reading, cognitive ability, critical thinking, and verbal skills.
As an elementary librarian she strives to build a culture of literacy by creating a safe space for students to explore the arts. It is her passion to use the arts to improve students’ motivation, concentration, confidence and teamwork.
Thomasine is married to Marques Batiste and they have a beautiful daughter, Mackenzie Batiste.
Lastly, she enjoys cooking, reading, and crafts.
Joelle Nixon is originally from Abbeville, Louisiana and resides in Rayne, Louisiana. She was initiated into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Ⓡ, Eta Chi Omega Chapter in Lafayette, Louisiana.
Joelle is a licensed professional counselor and is employed as a mental health counselor and an adjunct professor at University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
Joelle holds a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Dillard University (2007). She furthered her education and received a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from Southern University (2009). In 2018, she successfully earned her Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling Education- Counseling/ Guidance Services from University of Holy Cross College.
Joelle is most passionate about Target 1: HBCU for Life: A Call to Action. It is her personal belief that HBCUs help mold young leaders for today’s world by the way the staff forms nurturing relationships which assist the students in mastering rigorous curriculum. Historically black colleges and universities were established to serve the educational needs of black Americans. Knowing the past is imperative to understanding the present need to support this target. It should be highlighted that prior to the establishment of HBCUs, and for many years afterwards, black Americans were generally denied admission to traditionally white institutions. Therefore, she believes it is vital to promote and market historically black colleges because these universities and colleges paved the way for many so many black Americans to escape oppression and poverty in America.
Joelle is the wife of Jared Nelson; They have a lovely daughter, Joi Elizabeth Nelson. In addition, she enjoys traveling, learning new things, and dancing with her daughter.