Annual scholarships support students building careers and communities

March 21, 2024|

LSUS graduate student Laura Beeman Nugent (pictured with former LSUS Student Government Association President Tyson Lee) is committed to investing in her future. She expected to go it alone—but help from the LSU Shreveport Scholarship and Completion Fund is making a world of difference as she works toward a master’s degree in educational leadership at LSUS.

An educator and theater professional, Laura is three classes away from completing the program. This semester, she received a Chancellor’s Scholarship to help cover some of her tuition.

“I looked at the scholarships and thought I probably didn’t qualify for any of them because I’m a graduate student,” she said. “When I found out I was going to get a Chancellor’s Scholarship, I almost started to cry.”

Laura teaches drama full-time at Shreveport high school. She’s also an adjunct instructor Bossier Parish Community College Theatre Department and academy artistic director at the Shreveport Little Theatre and Academy. She volunteers countless hours with local community and school theater groups.

She says the master’s degree program has helped her approach her teaching in new ways.

Cast members pose at the end of “Once on This Island”, one of the many productions in which Laura Nugent has been involved. Laura shares her love of theater with students of all ages through teaching and volunteer work.

“I have implemented some of program curriculum with Shreveport Little Theatre Academy students,” she said. “It’s been great to see a cross-curricular application of what we’re learning,” Laura said. “The program has given me the opportunity to reflect and better myself not only as an educator but as a leader.”

This is her second master’s degree from LSUS. Laura attended a traditional on-campus master’s program previously, earning a master of liberal arts degree in 2011. She hopes to earn a doctorate in educational leadership. No matter where her career path leads, she wants to continue teaching.

“I love students, I love the interaction, I love mentoring so much,” Laura said.