Lawana Stokes is an educator and leader with 30+ years of varied experience working with diverse student populations. She is currently the Director of South Louisiana Community College at the Gulf Area Campus in Abbeville, Louisiana and serves as an Adjunct Professor.

Ms. Stokes holds a bachelor’s degree from the former University of Southwestern Louisiana (USL) which is now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (ULL) and a master’s degree in Professional Marriage and Family Counseling. She was a member of the Ragin’ Cajuns Women’s Basketball Team and currently serves as a mentor and ESPN Commentator for the team. Ms. Stokes was recently selected as an ULL Alumni Outstanding Graduate in 2021.

Ms. Stokes served as an educator and coach in the Iberia Parish School System prior to her transition to South Louisiana Community College for 23 years. She coached high school girls’ basketball at New Iberia Senior High and Anderson Middle School. In addition to coaching basketball at Anderson, she also served as a teacher and the head cheerleading coach.

While at South Louisiana Community College, Ms. Stokes has served in many capacities over the past 11 years. She has served as a Lead Tutor, Academic Advisor, Adjunct Professor, Admissions Counselor, Student Activity Coordinator, Interim Campus Director for four of the outer campuses and Perkins Outreach Coordinator. These experiences have allowed Ms. Stokes to embrace higher education and watch students grow into successful individuals.

She serves on the Vermillion Parish Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, The Family Connection Board, St. John Baptist Church Board of Trustees, and Williams Scholar Academy Board. Ms. Stokes was selected to participate in the Chambers of Commerce Leadership Vermilion Class 8. This class will graduate 18 students on June 16, 2022.

When she isn’t working, you’ll find Ms. Stokes volunteering at numerous events in surrounding communities, mentoring youth in her church and youth groups within the Acadiana area, watching and attending sporting events, and spending time with her only daughter, LaRonna Stokes-Williams