University College Alumni Chapter
Your Leadership Team
Tonya Bolden-Ball '03
President
Tonya Bolden-Ball holds a Master of Science in Leadership from Grand Canyon University and a Bachelor of General Studies from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. She earned a graduate certificate in Life Coaching from Grand Canyon University, completed the Cornell University and University of South Florida's Diversity and Inclusion certificate programs and the New York University Fundamentals of Global Sports Management certificate program. Tonya is a certified John C. Maxwell coach, trainer, and speaker. She owns the TBB Collective, specializing in professional speaking, executive and life coaching and consulting. Tonya serves as a regional director of diversity and inclusion for a healthcare system.
Some of her awards and recognitions include the Louisiana Association of Educators’ Human and Civil Rights Trailblazer Honoree, LA Statewide Summit Delta Women in Business Honoree, Acadiana Lifestyle Magazine's Women Making a Difference Honoree, the Daily Advertiser/705 Top 20 under 40 Leadership Award, National Association of University Women (Lafayette Branch) Tribute to Excellence Honoree, the Kiwanis Southwest Citizen of the Year, the Girl Scouts of Louisiana-Pines to the Gulf Women of Distinction Honoree and the Lafayette Mardi Gras Festival, Inc.'s 2024 Parade Grand Marshall.
Her community and volunteer involvement spans over 20 years in the Lafayette area. She has hosted the annual Community Cares Holiday Care Package Drive for eleven years. She is the mentor for the University of Louisiana at Lafayette's Black Women Leadership Association, the705 program and is one of the mentors for Louisiana Women’s Basketball.
Her leadership involvement includes serving as the Louisiana State Social Action coordinator and the immediate past president of the Lafayette Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She is also a past president of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette's Christiana Smith African American Alumni Chapter. She currently serves on UL Lafayette's B.I. Moody III College of Business Administration Executive Advisory Council.
She graduated from the Delta Leadership Southwest, NOBEL Women Leadership Institute, Leadership Institute of Lafayette and the Leadership Louisiana Leadership programs. She is the writer and hosts the Moments of Elevation segments aired daily on KNEK Magic 104.7 and 95.5 KRRQ FM radio stations. She is married to Kirk R. Ball, and they are the proud parents of Trevor and Kennedi.
Lisa Thomas '12
Vice President
Lisa Thomas is a dedicated and inspiring professional who returned to college after a 21-year hiatus, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to education and personal growth. She holds a master's degree in Human Resources: Leadership and Development from Louisiana State University and a bachelor's degree in General Studies with a minor in Arts and Humanities from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
Lisa is employed at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette as an academic counselor, where she leverages her extensive experience and education to support and guide students on their academic journeys. As a first-generation college graduate, Lisa embodies resilience and determination, qualities that have propelled her through numerous challenges as a survivor, warrior, matriarch of her family and mother of two.
Lisa is deeply committed to breaking barriers and changing lives, dedicating her career to making a positive impact on others. She is a TRIO McNair Scholar and a proud member of the Epsilon Mu Chapter of Alpha Alpha Alpha (Tri-Alpha), a national honor society for first-generation college students.
In addition to her role as an academic counselor, Lisa serves as a seasonal adjunct instructor for incoming freshmen and an ACT proctor, further demonstrating her dedication to education and student success. Her life's work is a testament to her passion for empowering others and fostering a supportive and inclusive educational environment.
Dr. Jorden Melton '16 '23
Secretary/Treasurer
Dr. Jorden Melton Jr. holds a Doctor of Education in educational leadership and a Bachelor of General Studies from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He earned his Master of Science in Human Services Administration from Wilmington University. He has earned professional education certificates in e-Learning Design & Development from the University of New Orleans, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in the Workplace and Inclusive & Ethical Leadership from the University of South Florida, Financial Literacy from Columbia University's Teachers College, Mental Health First-Aid USA, Quality Matters and is a Relationship Education & Leadership certified educator. Dr. Melton is an academic success coach and instructor for post-secondary institutions.
Some of his awards and recognition include the Louisiana Association of College & University Student Personnel Association Rising Professional of the Year Award, American Association of Blacks in Higher Education Dissertation of the Year Award, Louisiana Association of Student Assistance Programs TRiO Achiever Award, Kathy Authement Prouet Memorial Scholar, Black Student Achievement Award Honoree, Association of College Unions International Closing the Gap Fellow and Phi Delta Kappa International Emerging Leader Fellow.
Dr. Melton's research interests are centered on minorities in higher education, diversity, equity, and inclusion and the success of first-generation students. His work delves into understanding and addressing the challenges faced by these groups within academic institutions. Additionally, Dr. Melton has conducted a significant study on the scarcity of Black males in post-secondary education faculty ranks, providing valuable insights into the systemic barriers and potential strategies for increasing representation and support for Black male faculty members.
Dr. Nathan Palmer '95 '14 '23
Events Officer
Nathan Palmer, son of Rodney Palmer Sr. and Ruth Mae Palmer, was born in Lafayette, Louisiana. Nathan graduated from Opelousas High School in 1987. Upon graduating from high school, he began his college career at the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette). Dr. Palmer graduated from there in the fall of 1995 with a bachelor's degree in General Studies. After graduation, he began his teaching career at Our Mother of Mercy Catholic School in Houston, Texas, from January to May 1996. He moved back to Opelousas, Louisiana to continue his teaching career at Opelousas High School. He taught there for two years before an opportunity presented itself to him to work at the University where he earned his first degree.
While working at the University, he oversaw a tutoring lab, providing tutoring for students in the Student Support Services Program. He kept counselor's notes on the students in his caseload. He eventually was offered a position to teach remedial mathematics part-time.
Dr. Palmer earned his master's in Business Administration from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in Fall 2014. In 2020, he enrolled in the higher education leadership doctoral program at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and graduated with his Ed.D. in Fall 2023.
Dr. Palmer plans to continue his education upon graduation to earn his certification and return to the classroom at the university level. He has four more classes to take before completing his certification. Dr. Palmer would also like to advance to take on more of a leadership role within his department. He wants to continue working with the underrepresented population of students to help guide and mentor them.
Dr. Palmer is married to his wife of 18 years, Lorraine Hebert-Palmer. They have two beautiful daughters, ages 13 and 5. He also has a son who is 30 years old and married with three kids of his own.
Dr. Carrie Chretien '07 '22
Engagement Officer
Dr. Carrie C. Chretien, a New Orleans native, currently serves as an academic success coach for the Louisiana Educate Program at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in addition to being an adjunct instructor for the UNIV 100 Mastering the First-Year Experience Freshman Seminar with the Office of First-Year Experience at the University.
She is currently responsible for advising nearly 50 students through the Louisiana Educate Program at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. This involves coaching underrepresented students from the greater New Orleans and Lafayette areas on retention and persistence rates to
create access and provide support, with the ultimate goal of overall academic student success.
She has previously held a position at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette as an academic counselor for the TRIO SSS STEM. Dr. Chretien also serves as an adjunct instructor for the UNIV 100 Mastering the First-Year Experience Freshman Seminar with the Office of First-Year Experience at the University. Before working in higher education, Dr. Chretien worked as a teacher at Iberia Parish School Board and Blue Cliff College as a financial aid officer.
She earned a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership with a concentration in Higher Education Administration from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Her research interests include access, diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging to share stories of barriers, experiences and support systems in higher education, especially in STEM-related fields.
She earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Phoenix with a concentration in Business Administration. Her bachelor's degree is from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where she obtained a Bachelor of Science (BS). She is a member of the
Research Association of Minority Professors (RAMP) and the UL Lafayette Alumni Association.
Stay Connected
Join our community on Facebook! Like our University College Alumni Facebook Group to stay updated on events, news and opportunities to connect with fellow alumni.
Update Your Profile
Keep your information current so you don't miss important updates and invitations. Update your profile today!