The Student Support Services Staff

Don Barker, M.Ed., Director

Mr. Barker became Director of the SSS Project in June, 1995 after having served as a SSS Counselor from 1991 to 1995. He is a 34 year veteran of Louisiana education, having held teaching, coaching, counseling and administrative positions at the high school and college levels.   A native of Lockport in Lafourche Parish, he holds Bachelor's (1974) and Master's (1976) Degrees in Education from Louisiana State University. He has served as a teacher and coach at Central Lafourche High School (1975-77); a Counselor, Instructor, and coach at Louisiana State University at Alexandria (1977-83); a College Admissions Counselor at the Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts (1983-1987); and a Counselor, Instructor, and Academic Advisor for the Louisiana Scholars' College at Northwestern State (1987-1991). 

Frances Welch, M.A., Assistant Director

Ms. Welch became the Assistant Director of the Student Support Services program in August 2008. She has held a variety of positions in both higher education and in other public and private roles. A native of Southern California, she holds a Bachelor's degree from Dartmouth College and a Master's degree in Student Personnel Services from Northwestern State University.  She has served as a Counselor/Instructor on two different occasions in SSS before being appointed as the Assistant Director. She is valued for her experience and expertise in working with students. 

Patti Richter, M.A., L.P.C., Counselor/Instructor (Shreveport campus)  

Ms. Richter has served twice in the role of Counselor/Instructor for Student Support Services at the College of Nursing in Shreveport. A native of Bossier City, she has two degrees from Louisiana Tech University, including a Master's degree in Counseling. She is also a Licensed Professional Counselor in Louisiana, and has served on the board of directors of several local and statewide mental health organizations.  

Jamie Flanagan, M.A., Advisor/Instructor   

Ms. Flanagan has served as an Advisor/Instructor in the SSS Program since 2005. A native of Colfax in Grant Parish, she holds two degrees from Northwestern State University, including a Master's degree in Adult and Continuing Education. She brings to SSS experience in financial aid, having worked as a Financial Aid officer at NSU for four years before moving to the SSS program. She has also pioneered a Service Learning class for SSS students, and serves as an Advisor to Helping Hands, one of NSU's finest student organizations.

Denise Garland, M.S.W., G.S.W., Advisor/Instructor 

Ms. Garland joined the staff of Student Support Services in October 2008. Having worked in several career areas, she decided to return to college in 2005, and completed a Bachelor of Social Work from Northwestern State University and a Master's degree in Social Work from Stephen F. Austin State Unversity. A Graduate Social Worker, Ms. Garland teaches both ACSK 1010, Academic Skills, and ACSK 1020, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving.

Connie Lewis, Administrative Coordinator III

Ms. Lewis has been with SSS since 1988. She brings excellent communication and organizational skills to the program, along with a warm and genuine personality that students and staff appreciate. Among her many duties, Ms. Lewis collects data from the staff and prepares the Annual Report to the U. S. Department of Education, and supervises the student workers. She is a big fan of NSU Athletics. 

Oshe' Lewis, Tutor Coordinator 

Ms. Lewis is a junior at NSU, majoring in Psychology with a Concentration in Substance Abuse. She has served as a Tutor in the SSS program for the past two years, and was chosen to serve as the Tutor Coordinator in May 2009.