Dr. Chase McLaurin Joins New Cohort of Prestigious Pahara Fellowship

Written By Alicia Vial

NEW ORLEANS – On February 15, Superintendent at Lycée Français de la Nouvelle-Orléans’s (LFNO) Dr. Chase McLaurin was selected to join the newest cohort of the highly selective Pahara Fellowship. Dr. McLaurin joins a group of 24 other leaders who are transforming public education to ensure that every child is prepared to lead a free and fulfilling life.  

Dr. McLaurin’s outstanding track record made him a strong candidate for the fellowship. He has been improving school and student outcomes using his laser-like focus on academics, organizational development, and school culture. He has served as an elementary Two-Way Dual Language Spanish Immersion Principal, Early College High School Principal, District Executive Director, and educational leadership consultant. In addition to leading the LFNO school network, he mentors new principals and serves as an adjunct professor at Teachers College, Columbia University.

“I am honored to have been named to the Pahara Fellowship. As a teacher and student advocate who passionately believes in transparency, empathy, and a commitment to excellence, I am excited to bring what I learn from the Pahara Fellowship back to LFNO,” McLaurin said.

Within the program, Dr. McLaurin will bring new expertise in leadership to LFNO. Using the time-tested methods of text-based dialogue, mindfulness techniques, and grounding in nature, the program provides participants the opportunity to reflect on leadership, identity, and equity, and the values tensions involved in effective and enlightened leadership.

To learn more about Dr. McLaurin click here. For more information on LFNO click here.

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About Lycée Français de la Nouvelle-Orleans
As New Orleans’ sole French pre K-12 public school, Lycée Français de la Nouvelle-Orleans is designing and providing an innovative, world-class French Accredited learning model by immersing students in a culturally and linguistically rich learning environment. LFNO maintains four academic goals school-wide to increase mathematic, reading and standardized testing performance and goal achievement, while also surrounding students with French language, culture and academic life. LFNO.org

Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

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