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Camille Brown’s open-mindedness about life has led her to many opportunities. She chose to attend the 51��Ƶ at Lafayette because of her family’s strong connection.

She said, “My family has a history with UL Lafayette, as they are mostly alumni. I’m excited to soon join them in that legacy! My grandfather played football and was a professor at the University, and my mom helped start the first women’s track team here. Growing up with these stories, I’ve always wanted to create my own legacy at UL Lafayette, no matter what it is.”

Camille also attests that the University’s strong sense of community and its commitment to both academic excellence and student involvement made UL Lafayette her ideal choice.

Her journey to stick with a major came with challenging and rewarding experiences.  

“I changed my major to Human Development and Family Science. I wanted to be able to have a bigger understanding of the dynamics of families and child development but also be able to take a path that could lead me to taking over my family’s preschool one day," she said. "Human Development and Family Science allowed me to put my passions together, and I hope that one day I can put my degree to good use.” 

Life on Campus

As she discovered her passions in new settings, Camille was no stranger to challenges. Her favorite courses include communications with teacher assistant Kristen Deville, Greek Leadership with Professor Tidwell, and ASL (American Sign Language) 201 with Professor Dawsey.

In addition, she admits her public speaking teacher helped her advance to new levels.

“Later in the semester, we had to give a five-to-ten-minute speech without notes. At first, that terrified me, and I wasn’t sure how I would manage. I spoke with Ms. Kristen, who was incredibly understanding and helpful. She pushed me to accomplish something I never thought I could. Thanks to her support, I gave a speech in front of over 1,000 women at Bid Day during Recruitment this past year. Without this experience and her encouragement, I would never have been able to do that!”

Throughout her academic journey, Camille joined Kappa Delta, Gamma Chi for recruitment, became Vice President of Order of Omega, and was a former Vice President of Membership Recruitment.

“Kappa Delta has without a doubt helped me become the woman I am today. It led me down many paths, including the leadership roles I’ve taken on and the opportunities I’ve pursued. Through this organization, I’ve made countless friends and connections that have greatly enhanced my university experience,” Camille said.

She is currently working on a project developing a curriculum plan for young children with an emphasis on ASL.  

“I developed my plan to incorporate ASL (American Sign Language) into the classes of ages 3-5 years old to create an environment where students who are deaf, have hearing loss, and are hearing can all learn together," she said. "I approached it from the point of my family’s preschool, Fisher ECDC, where I have gained real-world experience. This has allowed me to use my passion of sign language and early childhood together.” 

Current & Future Roles

Students who become Presidential Student Ambassadors represent the University in various ways.  

“I have the honor of serving as an official representative of the University President, acting as a positive ambassador for the institution. I have the privilege of attending a wide range of special events, where I actively promote the University's core values and initiatives, engage with prospective students, alumni, and community members, and work to have an overall positive and welcoming image of the University.”

Camille feels that the opportunity has exposed her to a wide range of people and professionals from multiple backgrounds. She also actively involves herself in activities and duties.

She said, “As a Student Ambassador, my position has significantly helped my education by being able to provide me with hands-on experiences that complement and expand upon what we learn in the classroom. One of the most rewarding parts of this role is how it allows me to engage directly with alumni, potential students, or their families.”

Although Camille does not have a set plan for her future, she knows that she is going to higher avenues that will breed success. Ultimately, she hopes to lead her family’s school along the way.

When asked about what she enjoys most about her studies at UL Lafayette she said, “My favorite part about studying at UL Lafayette is the strong sense of community and connection. The University is the perfect balance between being big enough to offer so many different opportunities, but small enough to have a warm, welcoming feeling in the atmosphere.”