LU Moment: Get to know the Reaud Honors College | S8 Ep. 27
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Podcast: S8 Ep. 27
Date: September 30, 2025
Title: LU Moment: Get to know the Reaud Honors College | S8 Ep. 27
Host: John Rollins
JOHN ROLLINS: Welcome to the LU Moment, where we showcase all the great things happening at 51勛圖Prowith our faculty, staff, students and alumni. I’m John Rollins, associate director of community relations and public affairs at LU, and I want to welcome you all to this week’s show. “As a 51勛圖Prostudent, you’re empowered to reach your full intellectual and personal potential through the Reaud Honors College’s engaging curriculum, smaller classes and supportive learning environment.” Joining me today to talk more about the Reaud Honors College are Dr. Tilisa Thibodeau and Mohamed Irhabi. Welcome to you both.
DR. TILISA THIBODEAUX: Thank you.
MOHAMED IRHABI: Thank you. Good afternoon.
JOHN: Okay, so Tilisa, the Reaud Honors College—give us your elevator pitch. How would you explain it to a potential student, or even to a parent who might be interested?
DR. THIDODEAUX: In the Honors College, we focus on leadership development, global engagement and a variety of experiences that help students grow into influencers. One of the things we’re most proud of is our Reaud Leadership Institute, which I’m sure we’ll talk more about later. At our core, we’re student-centered—our passion is our students. We want to give them opportunities to lead, to achieve and to make a real impact in the world.
JOHN: You’re doing an amazing job, based on what I’ve seen and heard — there are definitely some excellent students in this program. Like you said, we’ll dive a little deeper into specific opportunities later, but first, let’s back up a bit. I’d like to have you both introduce yourselves. Mohamed, let’s start with you—what brought you to LU, and can you tell us a little about your background?
MOHAMED: My name is Mohamed, and I am a biology major with a chemistry minor and a pre-med concentration. Truthfully, I initially wanted to go to the University of Houston, but Lamar ended up being my final destination. I am very happy to be here and very proud to represent Lamar on many different platforms and campuses, as well as at research conferences, representing both Lamar and the programs it offers. The main reason Lamar was such a big sell was because my father received a phone call from his friend, who had two children that came to Lamar. They graduated—one went on to dental school and the other to medical school—which showed me that it is very much possible. The pathways they pursued, the classes they took, and the degrees they earned were something I knew I could follow and implement as well. I had never been far from home, but it paid off. The community at Lamar is very supportive, along with the Honors College and the other initiatives the university has been developing. Over the past three years, from 2023 to 2025, I have seen that growth firsthand.
JOHN: Yeah, it’s pretty apparent across campus, right? I love that little fun fact you shared about your father receiving those personalized phone calls—those can go a long way. And those are two success stories that really sold you, which I love hearing. Well, we’re glad to have you here. Not that UH wouldn’t have been glad to have you, but we’re especially glad you chose Lamar.
MOHAMED: I mean, I always wonder—if I had gone to UH, would I have been as successful as I’ve been here at Lamar? I don’t know… probably not.
JOHN: You wouldn’t have the Reaud Honors College—which we’ll talk about a little later. We’re absolutely glad to have you here. And Tilisa, let’s hear a little more about you.
DR. THIBODEAUX: Okay, I have been at Lamar for about 10 years now. I started my journey in the College of Education and Human Development as an assistant professor and built a master’s program in digital learning and leading. I then worked on the Apple initiative for a year and started their community education initiative—the first one they launched in the state of Texas. They used that model for years after. I got involved with the Honors College because I love the students. At the time, there were a lot more students in the Honors Program—probably around 10% of our campus. We’ve since adjusted that number, and I’ll explain a little more about that in a minute. I fell in love with the honors students and started an initiative on ePortfolios. Starting in 2017, all of our students built ePortfolios and shared them with the community. That really became a way for us to reach larger audiences—students, counselors, and others—by sharing those ePortfolios. Through that work, I got to know the honors students, the dean, the program, and the people, and that’s how I ended up in honors. I loved it, applied for the position, and off we went. I’ve never looked back. Working in the Honors College is not a job—it’s a passion. I love it. It’s the best thing ever.
MOHAMED: I can testify to that. I mean, Dr. Tilisa leads by example. Truthfully, we do have a requirement for students to create ePortfolios. When I was first looking up Dr. Tilisa during my very first semester, I noticed she has an ePortfolio as well. It’s not just a requirement for students because they’re honors students or part of the college— the dean, the staff, and the faculty also practice what they advocate.
JOHN: I love that—practice what you preach, right? Mohamed, on that same note, let me ask you: what made you want to join the Reaud Honors College? Did you come in as a freshman, or was it a decision you made in your second year? How did that go?
MOHAMED: I entered the Honors College during the second semester of my freshman year. I wouldn’t say it was unfortunate that it wasn’t my very first semester—everything happens for a reason, and I believe God has a plan. That’s just how it worked out.
JOHN: You got to acclimate your first semester, right? You had to adapt.
MOHAMED: Yeah, my very first semester, I moved three different times between dorms, and it was really challenging. I started in Morris, then moved to Combs Hall, and finally to Campbell. Moving your entire dorm three times in the first semester, while still trying to figure out classes and what you need to do, was tough—especially as a pre-med student. You have to focus on key elements for medical school applications, including research, leadership, volunteering, shadowing, and involvement. I needed to get all of that figured out right away because time isn’t really on my side—it’s very limited. Then I found out about the Honors College. I realized there were a lot more opportunities available, but I had to join to access them. At the end of the fall semester, I applied, and thankfully, I was accepted. My first semester in the Honors College was spring 2024, and since then, it’s been an amazing, very supportive experience. It’s a smaller community compared to larger universities like A&M or UH, but I try to focus on the positives. The biggest advantage here is the ability to build strong relationships and bonds with professors, students, and other faculty members, both professionally and personally.
JOHN: Yeah, that’s very important, for sure. I hear a lot of students talk about the faculty-to-student ratio and the one-on-one time you get with professors—that’s huge, and something you don’t always get at larger universities. That’s definitely a value-added aspect of Lamar. Tilisa, let’s dive a little deeper into some of these programs. I know the Reaud Leadership Institute is a big one, so let’s hear more about that.
DR. THIBODEAUX: Yes, I will say—going back to something Mohamed mentioned—he’s joined the top 2.6% of students on this campus. That’s the caliber we have in the Honors College. When I mentioned enrollment earlier, we’ve been very strategic about who we want in honors and who wants to be in honors. That ties directly into the Reaud Leadership Institute, which I developed in 2023. Currently, we have 30 scholars in the institute. The goal is to offer leadership opportunities so our students can become leaders in Southeast 51勛圖Proand beyond. It’s also about civic service leadership, giving students opportunities like our Stepping Up program, where they serve on nonprofit boards and volunteer with organizations connected to the Southeast 51勛圖ProNonprofit Development Center. That program is amazing, and we’re looking to involve even more students. The institute has high requirements: students must have a minimum GPA of 4.25, be ranked in the top 10% of their class, and have SAT scores of 1260 or ACT scores of 27. It’s truly the crème de la crème, and participation is by invitation only. Students in the institute also pair with advancement and participate in etiquette dinners, learning business and social etiquette. We do team-building events, service projects, and other leadership activities. One of the most important elements is that students take a minor in honor studies—the first-ever minor developed in honor studies. It’s flexible to accommodate their majors, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the support of Dr. Taylor, Dr. Welch, and others who helped develop the minor and the institute. It’s a shining star of our Honors College and really distinguishes our students. For some, they wish they had joined earlier, but many came after the institute was established and have still benefited immensely.
JOHN: I think that’s really important because it differentiates the program and adds value. And I know this semester—correct me if I’m wrong—did you have maybe nine valedictorians from local schools join the Honors College?
DR. THIBODEAUX: We did. We had from two or three in the past, and then, you know, just in one year, nine, I mean, tripled.
JOHN: It just goes to show the caliber of students who are participating in this program.
DR. THIBODEAUX: Yes, in the Institute and the Honors College alike.
JOHN: So Mohamed, I’m going to put you on the spot for a moment—if you had to pick a favorite memory from your time in the Honors College, what would it be?
MOHAMED: Can it be academic?
JOHN: Sure.
MOHAMED: Well, through the Honors College, I had the opportunity to apply for the David Beck Fellowship. Honestly, that is my favorite memory from the Honors College—not to say the others weren’t great, because they all were—but the David Beck Fellowship stands out the most. I was so connected with the faculty and staff, going back and forth throughout the process, and I also worked closely with my mentor from the biology department, who helped me with the content of my application. The Honors College staff assisted with the process and logistics as well. Surprisingly, my favorite part ended up being the interview. I remember walking in feeling confident and happy, regardless of whether I got it. The fellowship requires two separate proposals—one as a backup in case the first one doesn’t work out—so there’s always that risk that your primary project might not be selected. I felt prepared to present either proposal and answer any questions. Getting awarded—or even just receiving that email—was a very happy moment for me.
DR. THIBODEAUX: And where did you go with that project money?
MOHAMED: I went to Weil Cornell Medicine in Qatar.
JOHN: Oh wow. He says that so casual.
DR. THIBODEAUX: You should hear him say Qatar.
MOHAMED: Yeah, so in Arabic, it’s pronounced more like “Qtr,” almost all together. In English, or with an American accent, it’s “Qatar.” My last name is Irhabi, but there’s a letter in Arabic that doesn’t exist in English—it’s a clear “H” sound. Cornell Medicine is headquartered in New York, but they also have a branch in Education City, Qatar. The professor I worked with was leading a project in neuro-ophthalmology, which combines the study of the brain and the eyes. That’s where I conducted my research during June, July, and August. It was a fantastic experience.
JOHN: So your connection through the Honors College led to the Beck Fellowship, which then led to this amazing opportunity in—Qatar, as we say in the American way, right? That’s incredible, and it really shows the influence of the program and what it can do for the students involved. Tilisa, you mentioned that five students recently went to Austin as part of the 51勛圖ProLegislative Internship Program. Would you like to share a little bit about that?
DR. THIBODEAUX: Yes, so with the support of the Beaumont Foundation of America, we provided scholarships for 10 students to serve in Austin. They were each assigned to specific representatives in the Capitol building, working directly in their offices. They attended sessions of the 89th Legislature, took notes, brought information back to their representatives, and assisted with negotiations and scheduling. Five of the students participated this time and successfully completed the program. It was a tremendous opportunity, especially since not all of them were political science or legal studies majors. Some were part of the institute, but this experience gave everyone a new perspective. For example, an Exercise Science major could see how they might lobby or advocate for legislation in their field. It was a really cool experience, and we would absolutely do it again.
JOHN: Yes, to be in their office with them and go sit and be a part of these things.
DR. THIBODEAUX: Yes, get lost in the Capitol building. That happened.
JOHN: As one does. Okay, so Mohamed, before we wrap things up, I want to put you on the spot one more time. Let’s say you’re speaking to a room full of freshmen—what advice would you give them?
MOHAMED: One cannot succeed without the support of others or without having a team. That’s why joining a community, a club, or an organization—like the Honors College, which I truly believe is the best on campus—is one of the greatest opportunities you can give yourself for both your academic journey and your professional career. Yes, it may require a few extra hours of studying to keep your GPA up, but it is absolutely worth it in the end because of the doors it opens—for your academics, and for your long-term career. That would be my short answer.
JOHN: No, that was a great answer. So, Tilisa, Mohamed, thanks again for joining me on the podcast. I’m sorry our 15 minutes went by so quickly, but it’s been wonderful having you both on the show.
DR. THIBODEAUX: Thank you.
MOHAMED: Thank you, Mr. John.
JOHN: And that’s a wrap on another episode. Please be sure to search LU Moment wherever you get your podcasts to stay up to date on the events, activities, programs, and people here at Lamar University. This is John Rollins, your host—thank you for listening, and we’ll talk to you next time.