Reginald F. Lewis Scholars Conduct Research and Welcome New Cohort

McNeese State University sophomores, Warner Levy Jr. and Braylon Fuselier, have been selected for the fourth cohort of the Reginald F. Lewis Scholars program sponsored by the University of Louisiana System.  

The three-year Reginald F. Lewis Scholars program enhances the collegiate experience of exemplary Black male students by providing educational programs and mentoring opportunities. 

One experience involves scholars conducting research to connect classroom theory with a real-world problem. McNeese juniors, Omari Francis and Christian Malbreaux, members of the third cohort, researched the rise of artificial intelligence and power of social media this summer.  

Francis, a finance major from Lafayette, found that AI has the potential to teach effective investing strategies. Malbreaux, a criminal justice major from Iowa, found that social media impacts users’ political views.  

“The best part was creating friendships with my fellow cohort brothers,” Francis said. 

As Reginald F. Lewis Scholars, Levy and Fuselier will receive full tuition scholarships and participate in community experiences, including a partnership with the Universities of Louisiana Management and Leadership Institute and an annual scholars’ retreat. 

Levy, a mechanical engineering major from Lake Arthur, looks forward to networking with other exemplary students and helping communities. “I want to help not just my community, but communities around me to make a difference for other Black males,” he said. 

He plans to graduate and fulfill his lifelong goal of working in the engineering field. 

Fuselier, a marketing major from Lafayette, enjoys being creative and creating intriguing content for others.  

He plans to network with his fellow scholars, but also looks forward to studying overseas during the research and travel abroad class that scholars participate in during their junior year. 

“This program puts the right people in young Black men’s corners, which is often rare,” he said. 

Fuselier plans on earning a master’s degree in psychology and running his own film and photography company. 

“I will learn leadership skills to encourage and inspire the upcoming generation behind me.”