The WSU College of Engineering recently welcomed its newest advisor, Cathleen Laporte, to their team. She will be advising in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering. Read on to learn more about Cathleen.

ATA: Tell us a little bit about your educational background and how it relates to your current position. 
CL: I graduated from SUNY Binghamton with a dual degree in English & General Literature and African & African American Studies; I also earned a. dual degree from the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Law and Masters in Public and International Affairs.  As a “career student” I am able to personally relate to some of the challenges faced by students in pursuing and completing their degrees and my goal is to help them succeed.  I am passionate about serving our young people and helping them to achieve overall success educationally and professionally.

ATA: Can you please tell us a little bit about your student affairs background before joining WSU?   
CL: Aside from supporting our student affairs offices while a university/graduate student, I have spent the past 20 years serving K-12 students through STEM, Literacy and Mentoring programs to prepare them to pursue university degrees in STEM.
 

ATA: When you are not advising, what are some things you like to do for fun?  
CL: When not advising, I love to travel, paint (abstract art), study the Bible from a historical perspective, and mentor young people.
 

ATA: Any interesting or fun facts about yourself that you would like to share?  
CL: I am the founder and president of a small grassroots nonprofit organization, Athletes for Charity, that partners with professional athletes, sports teams, corporations, nonprofits, and school districts to implement STEM, literacy and mentoring programs for K-12 students.  We are currently an Inspire Change partner of the Detroit Lions and often have Lions players serve as Principal for a Day in DPSCD area schools.