FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – November 4, 2025
Endowed Professorship Program honors faculty whose accomplishments advance their department, BRCC and Louisiana.
Baton Rouge Community College and the BRCC Foundation have announced the six faculty members who have been awarded a 2025-26 Endowed Professorship in recognition of their accomplishments in research, teaching and public service to advance the mission of their department, BRCC and the state of Louisiana.
The 2025-26 BRCC Endowed Professorship recipients are Danielle Burns, Gery Frie, Felicia McGhee, Lise Namikas, Keith Potter and LaTasha Scott.
“Our endowed professorship recipients represent the very best of Baton Rouge Community College—faculty whose teaching, innovation, and dedication to students elevate every corner of our institution,” said Sarah Barlow, BRCC Provost and Vice Chancellor for Workforce and Student Development. “Their impact reaches far beyond the classroom, inspiring excellence in both learning and community engagement.”
An Associate Professor of Art, Burns received the Michael and Leslie Greely Albritton Endowed Professorship with a goal to establish a dynamic, student-centered space for creating high-quality printmaking work using safe, contemporary methods.
Frie is the BRCC Construction Management Program Manager and Assistant Professor. He received the Louisiana Construction Contractor’s Education Endowed Professorship in Construction Management with a focus on creating high-quality instructional videos for his courses in order to attract and retain students within the Construction Management program.
McGhee is the BRCC Director of Healthcare Simulations and Experiential Learning within the Division of Nursing & Allied Health. She received the Sean and Jennifer Eplett Reilly and Board of Regents Endowed Professorship to advance the quality of nursing and allied health education at BRCC by enhancing simulation lab resources, providing faculty training and engaging with the community through health initiatives.
A Professor of History, Namikas received the Jane French Manship and Board of Regents Endowed Professorship with a plan of action to move a completed memoir manuscript from the completed draft stage to a polished final product submitted for publication to tell a powerful story of Hadish Mehari’s escape from Eritrea and journey to the United States.
The Assistant Professor in Construction Management, Potter received the Contractor’s Education Trust Fund Endowed Professorship in Construction Management with a focus on enhancing the learning environment in an effort to prepare BRCC students to have successful careers in the construction industry.
LaTasha Scott is Assistant Professor and Program Manager of the BRCC Criminal Justice Department. She received the Hallie H. Box and Board of Regents Endowed Professorship with initiatives to integrate nationally recognized certifications, an expanded Career-Ready Training Series, explore the inclusion of fire investigation content within the curriculum and enhance experiential learning.
“Endowed professorships are essential to our continued growth as a college,” Barlow said. “They affirm our commitment to attracting and retaining talented educators who are deeply invested in student success and workforce relevance. These awards strengthen our academic foundation and ensure BRCC remains a place where exceptional faculty thrive and lead.”