Reaud Honors College

P.O. Box 10968
Beaumont, TX 77710
Phone: (409) 880-2294

Office at 985 Jim Gilligan Way [Map]

HONORS STAFF

Dr. Tilisa Thibodeaux, Dean
tilisa.thibodeaux@lamar.edu

Dr. Tony Kemerly, Associate Dean
skemerly@lamar.edu

Kim Vizena, Department Business Manager
khvizena@lamar.edu

Imelda Tristan, Advisor and Success Coach
itristan@lamar.edu

Meghan Rapp, Coordinator
mrapp@lamar.edu 

HONORS FACULTY

Dr. María Vallejo, Visiting Assistant Professor in Honors
mvallejo4@lamar.edu

HONORS STAFF

Dr. Tilisa Thibodeaux, Dean
tilisa.thibodeaux@lamar.edu

Tilisa Thibodeaux joined the Honors College in 2017 as the Director of Digital Literacy and in 2021 as the dean of the Reaud Honors College and the Texas Academy of Leadership in the Humanities. Thibodeaux has a B.S. in Elementary Education, an M.Ed. in Special Education and an Ed.D. in Instructional Technology and Distance Education & Educational Leadership. She spent more than 11 years in the public education system in Florida and Texas, serving as an elementary teacher, district interventionist and coach, a campus academic coach and a digital learning coach. Dr. Thibodeaux helps educators, administrators and corporations use technology innovation as a catalyst for change within their organizations by setting up significant learning environments that give learners choice, ownership and voice through authentic learning opportunities. Thibodeaux is the international practices and pedagogies SIG lead for the Association of Authentic, Experiential and Evidence-Based Learning ePortfolio group, is the co-developer of the CSLE+COVA Professional Learning Framework, scholarship board member for the Texas Distance Learning Association and is co-author of Learner’s Mindset Discussions videocasts. Since 2015, Thibodeaux has conducted more than 70 professional learning experiences with educators all over the world that include academic workshops, faculty retreats, keynotes and presentations. She has written nearly 30 published works including journal articles, book chapters, a book and informal publications around ePortfolios and the CSLE+COVA PL framework and currently serves as an associate editor and reviewer for several peer-reviewed journals.

Dr. Tony Kemerly, Associate Dean
skemerly@lamar.edu

Tony Kemerly received his Ph.D. in Exercise Science at the University of Mississippi. He combined the boredom brought on by studying postural sway with an M.A. in Communication Studies from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro to allow for a transition to the cultural studies aspects of Kinesiology. Kemerly has taught courses such as "Locating the Self Through the Whedonverse," "Visual Semiotics in Popular Culture," "Death: Seeing Beyond the Veil," "American Language and Power," and "Phenomenology of the Body." He is now the Associate Dean of the Reaud Honors College at Lamar University. His hobbies include videogames, reading, and hanging out with his wife, her Chihuahua-mix, Latte, and his rescue greyhound, Oliver Queen. 

Kim Vizena, Department Business Manager
khvizena@lamar.edu

Kim Vizena is the mainstay for both the Reaud Honors College and Texas Academy, and joined Lamar University in 2006. Ms. Vizena maintains the financial records, scholarship funds, event management, property management, student records, and overall operations.

Imelda Tristan, Advisor and Success Coach
itristan@lamar.edu

Imelda Tristan earned a Masters in Kinesiology and MPH from Lamar University. Equipped with the passion to elevate her community, she strived as Public Health Educator to bring awareness and incorporation of accessible healthcare to Jefferson County and surrounding communities. She is accompanied by the drive to better not only herself but also to help others realize their strengths; and does so with her extensive knowledge of academic advising, research, and personalized coaching. Currently, she works to apply her experience in community service and education to support students in their academic and career endeavors as the Reaud Honors College Advisor and Success Coach. Ms. Tristan loves reading, DIY crafts, and cooking new recipes in her spare time.

Meghan Rapp, Coordinator
mrapp@lamar.edu

Meghan Rapp joined our team as the Reaud Honors College Coordinator in October 2019. She graduated from the University of Arizona in 2002 and worked 16 years as the editor for a print and digital media company that published a national magazine, non-fiction books and a digital archive. She maintains and updates the Honors College's website and social media presence, oversees the publication of the alumni magazine and assists with and advises on Honors College events, policies, reports and recruitment. Ms. Rapp enjoys traveling, exploring museums, reading biographies and literature, and watching documentaries. 

HONORS FACULTY

Dr. María Vallejo, Visiting Assistant Professor in Honors
mvallejo4@lamar.edu

María Vallejo received her Ph.D. in Borderlands History from the University of Texas at El Paso. Her research explores the impacts that race, class, gender, and citizenship had on land tenure and property ownership in South Texas. She has published part of her research in publications such as “The Formation and Early development of the Llano Grande” in Yet More Studies in Rio Grande Valley History and “Nuevo Santander: Its History and Life” in The Journal of South Texas. In addition, she has taught various history courses and American Ethnic Studies courses, such as “Sex, Race, and the Exotic” and “U.S.-Latin@ Social Struggles.” Vallejo is a first-generation college graduate whose goal is to support and encourage student success. She is excited to be a faculty at the Reaud Honors College. In her spare time, Dr. Vallejo enjoys reading, sewing, watching Korean dramas or documentaries, and spending time with family.