Student Engagement Team

LaVonya.Malveaux@la.gov

A 1985 graduate of the Louisiana School of Math, Science, and the Arts, Ms. Malveaux received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now University of Louisiana at Lafayette) in Mass Communications with minors in English, Business, and Music in May 1989. She received a Master in Social Work Degree in May 1996 from the Southern University at New Orleans’ graduate program with a focus in administration, planning, and organization.

From April 2002 through April 2009, Ms. Malveaux served as a councilwoman for the Village of Palmetto, Louisiana. After establishing the St. Landry-Evangeline Sexual Assault Center in June 1999, she telecommuted to Los Angeles, CA from June 2000 until December 2004 for the J.E. Abernathy Community Outreach, Inc. as the Program Director for Marilyn’s Manor, a county-funded residential care facility for homeless persons living with AIDS. From February 2006 through April 2009, she directed Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center’s Southwest Center for Rural Initiatives serving a ten-parish region of southwest Louisiana to improve the socio-economic well-being of citizens in rural communities. Ms. Malveaux was employed as the Judicial Administrator for the Opelousas City Court from May 2009 until April 2021 where she served the judiciary as a member of the Louisiana Court Administrators Association and the Louisiana City Court Clerks’ Association. A Rotarian with the Opelousas Sunrise Rotary Club and charter member of the St. Landry Toastmasters, she serves on the following boards and coalitions: the Louisiana Congregational Ministries of the Church of God – Program Committee; the Ministry and Retreat Center – Lay Representative and Program Committee; St. Landry Chamber of Commerce Youth Leadership Council – Co-Sponsor; the ST. Landry Parish Adult Reentry (STAR) Coalition; the St. Landry Parish Children and Youth Services Planning Board; the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Acadiana Regional Team Coalition; the Re-Entry Alliance for Louisiana; the Louisiana Coordinated System of Care’s Statewide Coordinating Council – Region 5 Representative; the St. Landry-Evangeline Anti-human Trafficking Taskforce; and, HOPE Alliance Community Development Corporation. She currently volunteers her time as Program Coordinator for Sanctuary #1 – a college-based initiative providing residential, academic, social, peer, and spiritual support to St. Landry Parish students attending Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, LA. In May 2021, she became the Director of Student Engagement with the Board of Regents’ Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA).

Jeannette Patterson is currently an Administrative Assistant with LOSFA in the Student Engagement Division. Her responsibilities are clerical & administrative functions of the Divisions of Student Engagement & College Access, Success, and Communications, also assisting with the completion of Travel Authorizations and assisting agency Timekeeper. Prior to this position she also worked in the Fiscal division and in the Field Outreach Division as an Administrative Technician. Before joining LOSFA in 2016, she had retired from LA. Dept. of Revenue as a Revenue Management Consultant and previously had worked with Dept. of Public Safety.

Jennifer “Jenny” Miller is a Customer Engagement Specialist with SE. Jenny serves as an overseer for Customer Service, which includes office relations: internal office events/planning as well as providing quality assurance/management working with HR, carrying out day to day activities and involvement.
In leisure, Jenny enjoys giving back to local charities and organizations by volunteering her time, making a true impact. A few of her favorite organizations include CAA, STAR, Girl Scouts, and Women’s Shelter. Jenny has a true passion towards helping others succeed! Her efforts can be expressed in her motivation and conversations; showing others that kindness can make a positive difference in someone’s day.

Summer Clark is an only child who grew up in the small town of Winnsboro, LA. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA. She later earned a Master’s degree in Education with a specialization in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Phoenix. After graduating from LSU, her career started under the Louisiana Workforce Commission working in various capacities to help individuals obtain employment and pursue education. She later was able to fulfill her passion of helping students prepare for their future when she started at LOSFA in 2017. In her spare time, she enjoys fishing, baking desserts, volunteering in the broadcast and media ministry at her church and fitness! For now, her only pets are fish housed in a 60-gallon fish tank. She looks forward to welcoming her baby boy soon!

Daniel A. Loving, M.A.

Daniel A. Loving, a native of Hammond, Louisiana, combines his expertise as an educator, musician, and entrepreneurial financial professional to make a lasting impact. He holds a Bachelor of Music and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from Louisiana State University, as well as a Master of Arts in Hispanic Studies.

Daniel’s teaching career includes serving as a Spanish instructor at Louisiana State University and Liberty Magnet High School, where he inspired and shaped the minds of future leaders. He later joined the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA) as an Outreach Coordinator, before returning in 2025 as a Comprehensive Advising Officer, where he continues to support students in navigating financial aid and higher education opportunities.

In addition to his work in education, Daniel’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to the financial sector, where he became a licensed financial professional. He specializes in providing financial education and planning to underserved communities, empowering individuals to secure their financial futures.

With a unique blend of skills in education, finance, music, and languages, Daniel is driven by a commitment to improving lives and creating opportunities through innovative, interdisciplinary approaches.

Damien D. Papillion began his career in the field of Education August 2002 with St. Landry Parish School Board as a Special Education Teacher and later as a Reading Teacher. August 2004, he began a master’s program with Jones International University concentrating in Adult Education, Higher Education Leadership and Administration and E-Learning Technology.  Upon obtaining his master’s in education, Damien began working with Southern University A&M College and later Louisiana State University-Eunice as a Pathways to Success Academic Advisor. In 2019, Damien returned to the public education arena as a JAG Specialist helping students to define and discover their career paths. Throughout his career journey, he has guided students down their chosen path of success with excellent evaluation ratings. Damien joined the Student Engagement Division with the Board of Regents’ Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA) as a Comprehensive Advising Officer in hopes of providing continued service to the students of Louisiana. 

LaConga Hilliard Scott began her social work career in the education field in January 2013 with the East Baton Rouge Parish School System where she held several positions before transitioning to Ascension Public Schools. Recently, LaConga served as a Student Success Advisor with TRIO-Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) at Baton Rouge Community College (BRCC) prior to joining the Student Engagement Team with the Board of Regents’ Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA) as a Comprehensive Advising Officer. Throughout her tenure, she has connected with many students and fellow educators. She creates warm and caring learning environments, develops a positive rapport with her students, and models effective instructional strategies. Lastly, she assists her students in transitioning from scholar to professional.

LaConga earned her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Southern University and A&M College-Baton Rouge and her Master’s degree in Social Work from Tulane University.

Darius Spurlock is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He is a Comprehensive Advising Officer for the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA) Student Engagement Unit, a program of the Board of Regents. In this role, Mr. Spurlock provides comprehensive advising to students across the state of Louisiana. He identifies, develops, and utilizes resources such as 211, the Student Hub Community, State Agency, Higher Ed, and Business partnerships to implement and document a case management approach to the provision of wraparound college advising to constituents statewide. Mr. Spurlock has a passion for education and loves seeing his community thrive.

With over two decades of experience in educational leadership, Kelly Steed-Merricks is a distinguished professional dedicated to fostering student success and advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion. Her extensive background spans high schools, colleges, and nonprofit programs within both public and private settings.

Kelly serves as a Comprehensive Advising Officer with the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA), where she plays a critical role in enhancing college access across the state. In this capacity, she provides comprehensive advising to students, focusing on a range of services including career exploration, postsecondary planning, and financial aid assistance. This role also involves implementing and documenting a case management approach to provide holistic support to students. Kelly collaborates with various state agencies, educational institutions, and community organizations to ensure effective delivery of financial aid programs and resources. Her efforts are aimed at improving college access and success for all students.

Kelly’s commitment to improving educational access and equity is evident in her expertise in program management, data analysis, and DEI initiatives which highlights her capabilities as a change-maker in education. Kelly holds a Master of Education in Organizational Leadership and a Bachelor of Arts in General Studies.

Charnell Tademy is a Social Worker. She has nearly a decade of experience working with children, families and individuals as an agent of support and guidance. Her professional life includes a commitment to serving the needs of children and families as a Social Worker Educator.

She has earned a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Southeastern Louisiana University and has also earned a Master of Arts in Social Work from Louisiana State University. She has additional expertise in areas of Loss and Trauma, Social Emotional Learning Initiatives, Family Systems, Positive Parenting, Crisis Intervention, Mindfulness, and Response To Intervention, Restorative Justice, ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia and Learning Skills. She is especially sensitive to the needs of children and families.

Her life motto comes from Leader/Activist, Nelson Mandela “It always seems impossible until it’s done”.

Dellarisha Ventress is a distinguished educator and arts advocate with a bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts and Speech Communication, a Master of Arts in Higher and Postsecondary Studies, and a Master of Education in Elementary Education. Her diverse skill set, and extensive experience encompass acting, vocal coaching, set design, directing, costume designing, and youth development coordination.

Ms. Ventress currently serves as a Comprehensive Advising Officer at the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA), where she provides essential guidance and support to students navigating their educational and financial pathways. In this role, she utilizes her effective communication skills and strong customer service presence to engage and inspire students.

Her dedication to the arts and education, coupled with her passion for creative and fine arts instruction, makes her an asset to the community. Ms. Ventress’ commitment to fostering student success and her ability to connect with individuals on a personal level highlight her as a leader and advocate in her field.