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Meet Our Staff

Dr. Mary Farmer-Kaiser
Dean of the Graduate School
Professor of History



Email and Microsoft Teams: mary.farmer-kaiser@louisiana.edu
Began Service at UL Lafayette: 2000

Degrees:

  • Doctor of Philosophy (History)
    Bowling Green State University
  • Master of Arts (History)
    Clemson University
  • Bachelor of Arts (History)
    Kansas State University


Dr. Philip de Mahy
Assistant Dean

Phone: 337-482-6965
Email and Microsoft Teams: philip.demahy@louisiana.edu
Began Service at UL Lafayette: 2018

Degrees:

  • Doctor of Philosophy (Politics)
    Catholic University of America
  • Master of Arts (Politics)
    Catholic University of America
  • Bachelor of Arts (Political Science)
    Louisiana State University

Oversees final approval and submission of theses, dissertations, and synthesis projects. Administers Graduate School orientations, programming, and exit surveys. Provides administrative support to the Graduate Council and University Committee for Graduate Student Success and Retention.



Megan Trahan
Assistant to the Dean and Operations Manager

Phone: 337-482-2837
Email and Microsoft Teams: megan.trahan@louisiana.edu
Began Service at UL Lafayette: 2010

Degrees:
  • Bachelor of General Studies
    University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Oversees the general operations of the Graduate School. Available for general inquiries, especially those related to application decision letters, and requests for an appointment with the Dean. Provides guidance on the appeals and amnesty processes and administrative support to the Appeals Committee.



Celina Bernal
Graduate Admissions Coordinator


Phone: 337-482-1346
Email and Microsoft Teams: celina.bernal@louisiana.edu
Began Service at UL Lafayette: 2018

Degrees:

  • Master of Business Administration
    University of Texas-Pan American
  • Bachelor of Business Administration (Marketing)
    University of Texas-Pan American

Supports the recruitment, application, and admission processes of graduate applicants (inclusive of international, domestic, and online applicants). Available for inquiries regarding graduate program offerings, application support, credential evaluation (including transcript evaluations) and I-20 guidance. Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) Designated School Official (DSO)



Jennifer Joubert
Graduate Admissions Coordinator

Phone: 337-482-1323
Email and Microsoft Teams: jennifer.joubert@louisiana.edu
Began Service at UL Lafayette: 2021

Degrees:
  • Master of Arts (Organizational Management)
    University of Arizona Global Campus
  • Bachelor of Arts (Organizational Management)
    University of Arizona Global Campus

Supports the recruitment, application, and admission processes of graduate applicants (inclusive of international, domestic, and online applicants). Available for inquiries regarding graduate program offerings, application support, credential evaluation (including transcript evaluations) and I-20 guidance.

Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) Designated School Official (DSO)



Katie Landry
Graduate Admissions Coordinator

Phone: 337-482-6275
Email and Microsoft Teams: katie.landry@louisiana.edu
Began Service at UL Lafayette: 2014

Degrees:
  • Bachelor of General Studies
    University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Supports the recruitment, application, and admission processes of graduate applicants (inclusive of international, domestic, and online applicants). Available for inquiries regarding graduate program offerings, application support, credential evaluation (including transcript evaluations) and I-20 guidance.  
Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) Designated School Official (DSO)


Valencia Wise
Systems Administrator

Phone: 337-482-9017
Email and Microsoft Teams: valencia.wise@louisiana.edu
Began Service at UL Lafayette: 2016

Degrees:

  • Bachelor of Science (Computer Science)
    Dillard University

Serves as administrator for our various admissions, recruitment, student CRM, and other systems. Available for technical support to applicants encountering application system errors. Supports graduate program leadership with existing application report questions.



Jennifer Ercoli
Director of Graduate School Communications

Phone: 337-482-1485
Email and Microsoft Teams: jennifer.ercoli@louisiana.edu
Began Service at UL Lafayette: 2023

Degrees:

  • Master of Business Administration
    University of Louisiana at Lafayette
  • Bachelor of Science (Communications)
    University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Directs Graduate School internal and external communication efforts including the development of content and effective use of platforms and media, including updating websites, social media, CRM communications, email, and other creative means to engage students, faculty, staff, prospective students, alumni, donors, and other graduate education community members. Supports graduate program leadership with content development and management.



Tanya Derigo
Finance and Business Affairs Manager


Phone: 337-482-6963
Email and Microsoft Teams: tanya.derigo@louisiana.edu
Began Service at UL Lafayette: 2009

Degrees:

  • Bachelor of Science (Apparel Merchandising)
    University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Oversees assistantship and fellowship appointments and PAF processing. Provides support for late schedule adjustments, dropping courses or resigning after the drop date, and post-admission progress forms and updates. Supports graduate program leadership with guidance about general Graduate School budgets and grad student hiring.



Stephanie Galendez
Post-Admissions Specialist

Phone: 337-482-9016
Email and Microsoft Teams: stephanie.galendez@louisiana.edu
Began Service at UL Lafayette: 2020

Degrees:

  • Master of Business Administration
    University of New Orleans
  • Bachelor of Business Administration (Marketing and Management)
    Loyola University

Oversees graduation clearance processes and graduate faculty applications and review. Provides support for transfer credit requests, candidacy and committee forms, and other post-admission progress updates. Supports graduate program leadership with guidance about DegreeWorks and degree requirements.



David DesOrmeaux
Functional IT Specialist

Phone: 337-482-6965
Email and Microsoft Teams: david.desormeaux@louisiana.edu
Began Service at UL Lafayette: 2002

Degrees:

  • Master of Science in Telecommunications
    University of Louisiana at Lafayette
  • Bachelor of Arts (Mass Communication)
    University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Provides functional and technical leadership for Banner, BDM, Cognos, and Recruit systems. Provides support to graduate program leadership with general data requests and new report development.