The 2021 Tulane Green Wave football season brought with it a new honor for supporters of the Tulane School of Professional Advancement. During each home game, a SoPA MVP — Most Valuable Professional — was recognized before a stadium full of fans. Learn more about the season’s honorees.
Matt Edens was honored during the Sept. 25 game in Yulman Stadium for his outstanding support and dedication to the School of Professional Advancement. Matt is a 22-year veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and the Navy. Matt is a 2019 SoPA graduate who serves as a peer facilitator for students new to SoPA. Matt tells the students he meets that the Tulane experience goes beyond just showing up for classes. His best piece of advice — get involved!
Lisa Johnson was honored during the Sept. 25 game in Yulman Stadium for her dedication to SoPA students in her role as Customer Service Assistant. Lisa is always there to greet students and guests as the front desk of Richardson Hall. In addition to being a SoPA employee, Lisa is also a SoPA student working toward her bachelor’s degree. Lisa says she’s earning her degree at SoPA to show others that you can do anything at any age.
Alex Hernandez was honored during the Oct. 7 game in Yulman Stadium for his creation of the Tulane Fund for Military Students and for his unwavering support of the Tulane School of Professional Advancement. Alex is the Founder and CEO of Hernandez Consulting & Construction, which has offices in New Orleans, Miami, and Boston. Thanks to his generous $100,000 gift to Tulane SoPA, Tulane’s active-duty military, veteran, and ROTC students receive specialized advising for veterans, among other services, including a new Tulane student chapter of the Student Veterans Association.
Vegas T. Curry was honored as a Tulane SoPA MVP in October 2021 for his dedication and service to the School of Professional Advancement in his capacity as an alumnus. Curry is a member of Tulane SoPA’s Recent Alumni Council and has played an instrumental role in helping build relationships between SoPA and its alumni. Curry earned an MPS from the Homeland Security Studies program.
Kat Coneybear & Keagan Krauss, were honored during the Oct. 30 game in Yulman Stadium for their design of the “Where You Belong” mural located in the Tulane School of Professional Advancement’s Uptown campus. Current and future students can thank this pair for bringing new life to the school’s study space on the second floor of Richardson Building #5. Kat is a SoPA Digital Design student from Destrehan, Louisiana and Krauss, is a 2021 graduate of the SoPA Digital Design program from Lake Odessa, Michigan.
Ryan Randolph was honored during the Nov. 13 game in Yulman Stadium for his leadership as president of Tulane’s new Student Veterans of America chapter. Ryan has made it his goal to help create an inclusive space for veteran students and works diligently to advocate for veteran and active duty military students at the university. Ryan is a member of the U.S. Air Force Reserve and is a student in SoPA’s Emergency and Security Studies program.
Micahla Williams was honored during the Nov. 20 game in Yulman Stadium for his outstanding service to Tulane SoPA students in his role as a Senior Academic Advisor. Micahla has been an academic advisor at Tulane for more than a decade and has worked directly with Tulane SoPA students since April 2019. "Navigating college can be difficult for anyone, regardless of their age," says Williams. "Advisors are here to make the journey as comfortable as possible for the students."
