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).

Martha.Beardon@la.gov

Martha serves as our Content Specialist at LOSFA. With a background in education, Martha develops and enhances partnerships statewide with businesses, political leaders, post-secondary institutions, and non-profit organizations. She also assists with the development of programming offered by the Student Engagement division.

Going by “Marsha” as her nickname, Marsha attended LSU for an undergraduate degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, while minoring in English, Sociology, and Women’s and Gender Studies. She later received a master’s degree from LSU in Shreveport in Curriculum Design and Instruction, with a concentration in Reading and Literacy.

Marsha has a love for creative writing, jazz music, and Louisiana culture. Her favorite writers are Langston Hughes and Walt Whitman. She is an educator by profession; but, her mission is interwoven into the fabric of her Being. Providing students with college access and internships are the cornerstone of her work, as she strives each day to make success a reality for Louisiana students.

Marsha’s passion, commitment, resilience and tenacity when it comes to serving the students and families of Louisiana is an example of the work being afforded to students across the state. Creating academic equity and opportunity is the mission she embraces each and every day at LOSFA.

Khadija Kamara graduated from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, where she earned a bachelor of social work degree. Throughout her academic career, Khadija demonstrated a deep commitment to helping others and advocating for Refugees and Immigrants in Louisiana.

In addition to her academic pursuits, Khadija has gained valuable experience through internships and work experiences. She has worked as a social work intern at the START Corporation, supporting homeless individuals and families in need.

Khadija’s passion for social work stems from her desire to make a positive impact on the lives of others. One of her favorite quotes is, “If you think you’re too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito.” This inspiring phrase motivates her to believe that even the smallest actions have the power to create meaningful change.

Outside of her academic and professional pursuits, Khadija enjoys spending time with family and friends, watching Netflix, and doing yoga.