This year’s Connections Weekend theme, “Giving Back to the Boot,” was selected by the 2025-2026 Student Government Organization Executive Board. The theme encouraged students to consider how their education, talents, choices and relationships can be used to strengthen Louisiana and its communities.

 

During the opening Q&A panel, LSMSA Executive Director Dr. Jason Anderson welcomed the alumni and students and reflected on the history of Connections Weekend. The 11 alumni in attendance represent different graduation years, professions, communities and forms of service, demonstrating that there is no single LSMSA path or definition of a meaningful life.

 

The alumni also led individual sessions Saturday, giving students opportunities to explore their experiences in greater depth. They shared favorite memories, talked about the faculty that impacted them and so much more.

 

Kathy Barrios (2018) presented “Stay or Go: Navigating Workplace Fit and Hard Decisions,” discussing how to evaluate whether a workplace is the right fit, distinguish challenges worth working through from situations that signal it is time to move on, and navigate difficult circumstances when leaving is not an option. Barrios is a fourth grade math teacher at Pesson Elementary School in New Iberia and previously worked as the Coordinator of Housing at the Governor’s Program for Gifted Children.

 

Marcos Cecchini (2017) presented “There and Back Again, Returning to Louisiana After College,” sharing his experience of returning to Louisiana after college and discussing opportunities available to those who choose to build careers in the state. Cecchini graduated from Harvard in 2022, founded a construction company while in college and helped oversee the rebuilding of houses in Lake Charles following Hurricanes Laura and Delta. He now works as Head of Financial Services for Vytl Controls Group.

 

Jennifer Dhir (2003) presented “Beyond the Box: Engineering Financial Systems & Empowering Communities,” exploring how analytical and interdisciplinary problem-solving can be applied to operational systems and community impact. Dhir builds AI tools, automations and process improvements at Entergy and has also been involved in mentoring students and giving back locally.

 

Kaylee Herr (2022) presented “Putting It All Together,” offering students tips and tools for making the future feel more tangible and navigating the anxiety that can come with feeling like they do not have everything figured out. Herr graduated from Northwestern State University with a degree in Liberal Arts and a minor in Business and is working to help open the new Trader Joe’s in Lafayette.

 

Julia Johnson (2021) presented “You Don’t Have to Pick Just One Thing: Building a Career, Pursuing Your Passions, and Giving Back,” encouraging students to make room for careers, passions and community service even when their paths do not follow their original plans. Johnson earned a bachelor’s degree in Informatics from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and currently serves as a District Executive with Scouting America.

 

Brandy Ledet (2014) presented “The Power of Service: From Nuclear Engineering to Military Medicine,” sharing her nontraditional path from the Navy’s Nuclear Propulsion program to medicine and discussing the skills and experiences that shaped her commitment to service. Ledet is a nuclear engineer in the U.S. Navy and was selected for the Enlisted to Medical Officer MD program.

 

Kelly Rodrigue (1986) presented “A Million Reasons to Volunteer to Make Things Better,” discussing the importance of staying true to personal beliefs, learning to pivot and making the world better through volunteering. Rodrigue has worked in higher education for almost 30 years as university registrar at Nicholls State University and has been involved in servant leadership and volunteer work with numerous organizations.

 

Zannah Sant (2010) presented “Community Means You, Too,” focusing on community and advocacy, the importance of giving back without losing yourself in the process, and recognizing small victories. Sant has worked in several career fields before entering the fine dining industry and currently serves as Sous Chef at Warehouse No. 1 Restaurant in Monroe.

 

Daniel T. Smith (2001) presented “Adventures in Public Service for the Common Good,” exploring the intersection of public policy, law, government and politics and discussing ways students can use their interests and skills to help their communities. Smith is Alexandria’s City Planning Director and previously worked in grant management, law and public interest litigation.

 

Dr. Jude Theriot (1991) presented “Guided by Curiosity, Grounded in Service: A Louisiana Life,” discussing how curiosity, professional ambition, creative pursuits and service can come together. Theriot is a neurologist, writer and cultural advocate from Catahoula who works in forensic neurology and has projects focused on preserving the history, culture, archaeology and ecology of St. Martin Parish.

 

Casey Tonnies (2019) presented “‘Sure, I Can Help,’ Giving Back Wherever You Are,” sharing how she has found opportunities to give back throughout college, her early career in rocket propulsion and her continued involvement in the arts. Tonnies graduated from Yale University with a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering Sciences and works as a research engineer focused on propellant development for rockets. She also volunteers with nonprofit and community theaters.

 

The Connections Weekend schedule also included a community breakfast and lunch, giving students additional opportunities to visit with the returning graduates.

 

Anderson encouraged students to consider what Louisiana and its communities mean to them and how their own abilities might one day meet a need. He asked them to view Connections Weekend as an invitation to participate in the LSMSA community across generations and to consider how they might begin giving back to the state and communities that helped shape them.

 

“Giving back may mean returning home, serving from somewhere else, improving the systems people rely on, preserving a community’s stories, mentoring young people, volunteering consistently, or noticing a need and deciding to act,” he said.