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Organizations & Associations

Getting involved while you are on campus helps you grow as an individual, meet new people, find new interests, build relationships, and network with professionals in your area. We highly recommend you make the most of your time at UL Lafayette and join an organization that furthers your academic journey and supports your success.

A+PEL

The Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana (A+PEL) is the premier professional educators association. It was established in 1987 (University of Louisiana at Lafayette chapter 2003) by educators who saw the need for a professional organization that focused on student achievement without an emphasis on partisan politics. A+PEL is a non-union organization that is statewide with members who are teachers, paraprofessionals and teacher candidates at universities across the state. 

A+PEL provides an affordable professional insurance program for liability coverage, employment rights coverage, criminal defense coverage, assault related property damage coverage, malicious prosecution coverage, accidental death and dismemberment coverage, and identity theft coverage. A+PEL provides grants and scholarships, professional development opportunities, government relations and advocacy, professional publications and resources, as well as recruitment bonuses, and 24-hour assistance. There are also home and auto insurance policy discounts available through the association.

The cost of the professional insurance program for UL Lafayette students is $20 per year.

Kappa Delta Pi (KDP)

Kappa Delta Pi (KDP), International Honor Society in Education, is a membership organization founded by Dr. William Bagley on March 8, 1911, at the University of Illinois to foster excellence in education and promote fellowship among those dedicated to teaching. KDP Membership is a lifelong connection to a network of 40,000 exceptional educators working in various levels of education, including some of today’s top thinkers and practitioners in education. The Kappa Delta Pi name was chosen from the Greek words to represent knowledge, duty, and power. The Delta Iota of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette was founded in 1937 and is open to all College of Education and Human Development students who are pursuing a teaching certification field, have a 3.0 cumulative (unadjusted) grade point average, and are willing to perform service in the community.

For additional information, please e-mail Dr. Aeve Abington-Pitre at evepitre.louisiana.edu

Louisiana Association of Educators (LAE)

The Louisiana Association of Educators (LAE) represents over 20,000 professional education employees of the Louisiana school system. Membership is composed of public school teachers, counselors, psychologists, librarians, education support professionals, and other non-supervisory certified personnel. The student chapter of the Louisiana Association of Educators at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette is open to all College of Education and Human Development students who are pursuing a teaching certification and have a desire to become better informed advocates for education.

LAE’s mission is to organize and empower local associations in order to promote quality public schools, strengthen the education profession and improve the well-being of members. Specifically, LAE promote the following Core Values:

  • Equal Opportunity: LAE members believe public education is the gateway to opportunity.
  • A Just Society: LAE members believe public education is vital to building respect for the worth, dignity and equality of every individual in our diverse society.
  • Democracy: LAE members believe public education is the cornerstone of our republic.
  • Professionalism: LAE members believe that both expertise and judgment of education professionals are critical to student success.
  • Partnerships: LAE members believe in partnerships with parents, families, communities and other stakeholders.
  • Collective Action: LAE members believe that individuals are strengthened when they work together for the common good.

Student Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)

Student Council for Exceptional Children is an association for all student members of the national organization, Council for Exceptional Children. Anyone interested in the education of exceptional children and youth is welcome to join CEC as either a student or regular member. Most of our members are future teachers in special education. The student membership category is defined as those who are enrolled full-time at an accredited college or university or part-time student not engaged full-time employment as a certified teacher. Students can join at a discounted rate and are entitled to the identical benefits, services, rights, and privileges of regular CEC members including subscription to two professional journals.

Kinesiology Professional Association (KPA)

The Kinesiology Professional Association is the School of Kinesiology's primary club for students. It is one of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette's most up-and-coming student organizations with its rapid growth and exceptional fundraisers. Students have the opportunity to attend state and national conventions and meet other students aspiring to be prominent figures in the field of Kinesiology.

More information can be found on the Kinesiology Professional Association (KPA)-Official Facebook page or e-mail Mrs. Lisa LeBlanc at lisa.leblanc@louisiana.edu or e-mail Dr. Johan Adendorff at jadendorff@louisiana.edu

Sport Management Association (SMA)

The Sport Management Association (SMA) is the School of Kinesiology's student organization for Athletic Training majors, but any UL student with an Allied Health Profession major is invited to join. Students in the SMA participate in medical coverage of local and regional sporting events, such as the annual Cajunman Triathlon, attend the Southeastern Athletic Trainers Association Annual Student Symposium, and organize and host an annual High School Athletic Training Student Symposium.

For more information, visit the Sports Medicine Association (SMA)-Official Facebook Page or e-mail Mrs. Aimee Gros at aimee.gros@louisiana.edu