Spotlight: Office of Student Services

Meet the Moody Business Office of Student Services. Jill Lemaire is the Assistant Dean for Student Services, Jeremiah Fisher is the Academic Advising Coordinator, and Alicia Moten is the Administrative Assistant III. We interviewed them to find out more about their services and advice they have for business students.

Tell us about yourself. 
Jill: I have a Bachelor of Science in Science Teacher Education with a minor in Chemistry and a Master of Education in Teaching of the Gifted and Talented. I previously served as the Director of Nursing Student Services and a Research Analyst in Educational Reform at UL Lafayette. I enjoy cooking, baking, decorating and entertaining, bicycling, swimming, hiking, and solving crossword puzzles. I am a news junkie and have a wide range of subjects I devour articles on.
Jeremiah: I have a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science from Louisiana State University and a Master of Arts in History and a Master of Arts in International Affairs, both from Florida State University. I was previously the Academic Coordinator in the Department of Political Science and the Assistant Registrar at Florida State University. I enjoy reading, especially historical non-fiction and biography.
Alicia: I am a graduate of Acadiana High School. I enjoy do it yourself projects. In the office, I enjoy interacting with our students.

What is your position in the Office of Student Services and how long have you held this position?
Jill: I am the Assistant Dean for Student Services and I have worked for the College for 16 1/2 years.  I manage the recruitment, entry, progression, and graduation of Moody Business students. I also supervise the delivery of comprehensive student services, with advising being the most prominent.
Jeremiah: I am the Academic Advising Coordinator. I have served in this role since November 2019. In addition to ensuring all the College’s advising processes are efficient and accessible, I assist with technical aspects related to student progression through the college including orientation, transfer credits, degree audit review, and graduation clearance. My goal is to reduce obstacles and provide academic counseling to help make our business students’ academic career here at UL Lafayette as enjoyable as it can be.
Alicia: I am the Administrative Assistant III. I provide administrative support to the Office of Student Services staff and our students. My hope is to provide a smiling face, a welcoming environment, and a listening ear to all students.

What services and resources does the Moody Business Office of Student Services provide for students?
Jill: Students should contact our Office of Student Services whenever they have questions about navigating their degree program or need advice about academic situations that arise during the semester. Undergraduate students who are juniors or seniors and have at least a 2.0 overall GPA should email us to change majors; add or delete double majors, minors, and concentrations; drop courses or resign; and request prerequisite overrides when applicable. Transfer student advising, academic suspension appeals, help with DegreeWorks degree course substitutions, assistance with graduation questions, and a registration help kiosk are also available in the Office of Student Services for all Moody undergraduate students.
Jeremiah: We are available both in-person and remotely to assist with change of major, course withdrawals, advising technical assistance, or other academic questions. Request to take more than 21 hours, questions concerning academic probation, and applying for Moody Business scholarships
Alicia: Students can contact us to withdraw from classes, change their majors, declare minors and/or concentrations, and for questions pertaining to graduation. Student Services is a one stop shop. We can answer questions pertaining to their curriculum and show students how to use Degree works to see if adding a minor or concentration is right for them.

What is one piece of advice you would give to Moody Business students?
Jill: Read your student email regularly.
Jeremiah: Take advantage of the excellent professional and personal development opportunities UL Lafayette has to offer. Make it about more than just the degree. Get an internship. Study abroad. Take that extra course or complete a minor “just for fun.” Be curious. Do good. Work hard. Be well.
Alicia: 1. Procrastination will not serve you well. 2. Ask questions, you will not know unless you ask. 3. Don’t be scared to ask for help.

Why do you enjoy working at Moody Business/UL Lafayette?
Jill: I have always enjoyed working in this position because of the immense variety working with students brings.  No two days are the same and that suits me very well.  There is also great satisfaction to be taken from collaborating with colleagues to produce something greater together than we would have individually.
Jeremiah: It is a challenging and interesting job. There is never a boring day. Being able to watch students learn how to tackle the challenges of the world, as well as having the opportunity to interact with colleagues who are experts in their areas of study, make my job very rewarding.
Alicia: UL Lafayette runs in our blood. My mother retired from here in 2016. UL has a friendly atmosphere that any parent would have solace sending their student off to school. It is your home away from home.

How can students contact Office of Student Services?
In-Person Hours
Monday through Thursday 9:00-11:45 a.m. and 12:30-3:00 p.m. and Friday 9:00 a.m-12:30 p.m.
Moody Hall (MX) Room 236

Virtual Hours
Monday through Thursday, 7:30-11:45 a.m. and 12:30-5:00 p.m. and Friday 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
studentservices@louisiana.edu
337-482-6491