Center for Freshman Year -Staff Directory

150 Allen Hall | O 225-578-6822 | F 225-578-5762 | [email protected]

Academic Counselors

Staff Picture	Contact Information	Staff Bio
	Jennifer Picard Director [email protected]	Jennifer Williams Picard joined the Center for Freshman Year (UCFY) as the Director in September of 2022 after serving two years as the Associate Director of Retention and Student Success. Prior to joining LSU, Jennifer served as the Executive Director of Advising and Career Services at the Purdue School of Engineering and Technology- Indianapolis, Director of Postdoctoral Affairs at Indiana University School of Medicine, and various leadership roles at Columbia University, Teacher’s College – Columbia University, and Tulane University. Jennifer earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts in Visual Arts from Otterbein University, a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology from Emporia State University, and is a Ph.D. candidate in Higher Educational Leadership at Indiana State University.
	Erin Anthony Academic Counselor [email protected]	Erin Anthony is a licensed professional counselor. She joined LSU in 2007. As a counselor with University College’s Center for Freshman Year, she has worked with first year students in a number of capacities through various programs, activities, and daily advising sessions. Anthony earned her Master of Science in Community Counseling.
	Allyson Barker Academic Counselor [email protected]	Allyson Barker is an experienced Academic Advisor III at Louisiana State University. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Foreign Languages from Southern University and two Master degrees in Educational Studies and Educational Technology from the University of Phoenix and Louisiana State University, respectively. Currently, she is pursuing her doctoral degree at Massachusetts School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. With a total of 14 years of experience in education, Allyson has worked at all levels of education. Before her role as Academic Advisor III, Allyson worked as an Assistant Director of Retention and Student Success at Louisiana State University. Prior to that, she worked as an English as a Second Language (E.S.L.) Specialist, where she directed and led the E.S.L. programs in four schools. Allyson also developed professional developments that focused on technology tools for communication, behavior intervention plans, and the SIOP Method for Instruction to E.S.L. Students, among others. These professional developments helped teachers to meaningfully instruct E.S.L. students virtually which assisted them to become more adaptable to their students needs. Moreover, Allyson has created many websites to assist teachers with ESL technological tools. Allyson is also an Apple Certified Teacher and has gained credentials in Quality Matters Rubric Design and Standards. Her interests lie in technological tools for online instruction and assessment, quality assurance, effective learning management systems, social media as a learning platform, and curriculum and design for medical simulations and case studies.
	Amy Cave Academic Counselor [email protected]	Amy Cave joined LSU University College Center for Freshman Year in 2021. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communications , Master of Library and Information Science, and Master of Social Work from LSU. Cave is a Certified Social Worker and is working towards her Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW). She is a member of the National Association of Social Workers.
	Kelly Hinote Academic Counselor [email protected]	Kelly Bezdek Hinote earned her Bachelor of Art in Anthropology in 2008 and her Master of Education in School Counseling in 2012. Kelly has been a dedicated civil servant, working for the Zachary Community School District in a variety of roles, including Human Resources, School Counseling, and College and Career Coaching. Kelly is a third generation LSU Tiger.
	Elizabeth Hymel Academic Counselor [email protected]	Elizabeth Hymel is a two-time alumna of LSU; she earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with minor in Communication Studies in 2018 and her Master of Education in Mental Health Counseling in May 2021. During her graduate program, she interned at LSU’s Mental Health Services and was a graduate assistant at LSU’s Disability Services; she truly has a passion for working with LSU students. Elizabeth is currently a Provisionally Licensed Professional Counselor (PLPC) and member of the Louisiana Counseling Association (LCA).
	Anthony Oster Academic Counselor [email protected]	Anthony served as the Louisiana representative of the NACADA (National Academic Advising Association) Region 7 Executive committee from 2015 - 2019, co-chaired the 2015 NACADA Region 7 regional conference, and was awarded the NACADA Region 7 Excellence in Advising award in 2015. He currently serves as a member of LSU's staff senate. Anthony Oster joined LSU and University College as a member of the Center for Advising & Counseling in 2006. Mr. Oster earned both a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Master of Science in Counseling Psychology from The University of Southern Mississippi and currently holds a Licensed Professional Counselor certification in the State of Louisiana as well as a data analytics certification from Coursera. Mr. Oster oversees recruitment and advising for all Pre-Allied Health, Pre-Public Health & Pre-Pharmacy students at LSU. In addition to his advising duties, Mr. Oster served as the Louisiana representative of the NACADA (National Academic Advising Association) Region 7 Executive committee from 2015 - 2019, co-chaired the 2015 NACADA Region 7 regional conference, and was awarded the NACADA Region 7 Excellence in Advising award in 2015. He currently serves as a member of LSU's staff senate.
	Rochelle Smith Academic Counselor [email protected]	Rochelle Smith earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology and Master of Science in Exercise Science in Human Performance both from Texas Southern University. After graduating with her master’s, she started working at Texas Southern University as an Academic Advisor for 6yrs in the College of Education. Once she left TSU, she got a job as a Special Education Teacher where she worked there for 6yrs in which she knew something was missing. Rochelle wanted to get back into what she loved which was helping student find their path to success; she got hired at Northland Pioneer College and worked there until she got hired at Louisiana State University in February of 2022 to follow her passion to help college students be successful and excellence in their academic careers.
	Ayannah Williams Academic Counselor [email protected]	Ayannah Williams earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Economics with an emphasis in Business from Tougaloo College in 2006. She then obtained her Master of Business Administration degree from Millsaps College in 2008. She is a four time published author and public speaker. Ayannah joined LSU’s University College Center for Freshman Year as an Academic Advisor in October 2021 and continues to promote academic excellence amongst students as they pursue their academic careers.