The Briefcase: Educational partnerships and promotions at Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office

Shreveport Times
·3 min read

LSU Shreveport partners with Unity and 3D Media to offer free game development course and certification in January 2022

Got a gamer in the house? Many games require about 2Mbps – plus several times that if your gamer is streaming their session for others to watch. With a typical cable or DSL broadband connection topping out at 10Mbps upstream, it’s easy to see how the digital path out the door can quickly become congested.
Got a gamer in the house? Many games require about 2Mbps – plus several times that if your gamer is streaming their session for others to watch. With a typical cable or DSL broadband connection topping out at 10Mbps upstream, it’s easy to see how the digital path out the door can quickly become congested.

LSU Shreveport is building a hub of excellence in areas of virtual reality, augmented reality, and game development in the northwest Louisiana region with its recent partnership with Unity. The university will offer a seven-week course for free to become a Level 1 Unity Certified User starting in January 2022.

Anyone interested in animation, game development, creating virtual and augmented reality environments, and more can enroll in the course. Students of all skill and experience levels can expect guided learning about Unity’s background followed by building skills in the Unity Editor to bring visions to life. Students can then continue learning by earning additional certifications in the Unity platform, one of the most highly sought-after certifications in the gaming industry.

“The goal of our partnership with Unity is to blanket the region with core knowledge navigators who can teach Unity programming and skills at various levels,” Vice Chancellor of Strategic Initiatives Dr. Julie Lessiter said. “We want to help our region build careers in gaming and immersive technology to then cultivate the most innovative workforce of today and tomorrow.”

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LSU Health Shreveport and the American Heart Association partner to bring stem to life for Huntington High School students

The American Heart Association (AHA) is partnering with the Center for Cardiovascular Diseases and Sciences (CCDS) at LSU Health Shreveport to deliver BRINGING STEM TO LIFE.

The AHA is working to close the equality gap in STEM through this program. The program draws from the Association’s strong legacy of science, education and discovery to help propel rewarding careers in STEM.

Over 50 students from Huntington High School will be exposed to technology, faculty and mentors from the Schools of Medicine, School of Graduate Studies (Ph.D. in basic sciences) and School of Allied Health Professions in a session from 9-2 pm. A schedule of events is attached.

As the pandemic has shown, today’s economy and tomorrow’s wellbeing depend on innovations in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Despite the increase in financial fields, a troubling gap still occurs, particularly in women of color, in the area of science.

Of 100 female students working toward a bachelor's degree, only three will work in a STEM job after graduation. Even more troubling, by 2030, roughly half of the vacant STEM jobs will be in health care.

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Three Caddo deputies earn promotions

Local businesses donated new collars and badges to Caddo Parish Sheriff K-9s on Wednesday, June 17, 2020.
Local businesses donated new collars and badges to Caddo Parish Sheriff K-9s on Wednesday, June 17, 2020.

Caddo Sheriff Steve Prator recognized three deputies for their promotions during a ceremony at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, December 7, at the Sheriff’s Re-entry Facility, 1121 Forum Drive.

Jason Morgan was promoted to lieutenant in the Detective Division, Justin McDonnell was promoted to sergeant at the Caddo Sheriff’s Regional Training Academy, and Michael McConnell was promoted to sergeant in Patrol.

Morgan is a 30-year deputy, having joined the Sheriff’s Office in July 1991. He has served in Corrections, Patrol, and Criminal Investigations. He has been a detective for 22 years.

McDonnell joined the Sheriff’s Office in May 2007. He has served in Security, Patrol, and most recently on the U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force. He has served on the CPSO Special Response Team for 12 years.

McConnell has served with the Caddo Sheriff's Office for eight years. He has worked as a security deputy, patrol deputy,and at the Training Academy.

In addition to the promotions, 13 employees will be recognized for their years of service to the Sheriff’s Office. They are: Anna Mejia, 5 years; Parker Crockett, KaSaundra Green, LeDarrius Hassen, and Bonita Snow, 10 years; Stephen Ashcraft, Robert Chapman, Matthew Cowden, and LaQuisha Pouncy, 15 years; Edwin Barnhill, Ryan Dibler, and Steven Viola, 20 years; and Stephanie Johnson, 25 years.

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: The Briefcase: Educational partnerships and promotions at CPSO