Four LSU College of Agriculture students recognized in the LSU Tiger Twelve Class of 2022

Four LSU College of Agriculture students represent the LSU Tiger Twelve Class of 2022. LSU’s Tiger Twelve is an initiative that highlights a select group of undergraduate seniors who have contributed to LSU campus life and positively impacted the Baton Rouge community. Each spring, 12 distinguished LSU seniors receive this prestigious recognition.

Josephine Engelman

Major: Environmental Management Systems
Concentration: Resource Conservation
Minor: Political Science
Hometown: Queens, New York

Josephine Engelman, a native of Queens, New York,  is graduating with a degree in environmental management systems with a minor in political science. Engelman spent her time at LSU working to improve sustainability efforts on campus and in Baton Rouge.

Engelman heavily immersed herself in student life by taking on various extracurricular activities. She held leadership positions for LSU Student Government, LSU Rowing Team, and Les Voyageurs for the College of Agriculture. She was also an active member of the Air and Waste Management Association and the LSU Chapter of Ducks Unlimited.

She considers these organizations to be a driving force in defining her identity and finding her passion for the environment. As president of the LSU Rowing Team, she spent much of her time in LSU Lakes.

“One of my absolute favorite campus memories is waking up at 5:30 a.m. for rowing practice,” said Engelman. “Watching incredible sunrises, seeing pelicans, herons and ducks fly above, and just being on the water with my teammates is something that I really cherish from my time on campus.”

Engelman participated in Louisiana Wildlife Federation’s Edgar Veillon Conservation Leadership Corps, a prestigious program designed to develop students' leadership skills to analyze and institute conservation policies. This experience helped her solidify her career aspirations in environmental policy.

Josephine has accepted an internship in Washington D.C. with a lobbying firm focusing on agricultural issues.

“Being recognized as one of the Tiger Twelve is so exciting and incredibly humbling,” she said. “This is a huge honor, and I’m so proud of myself for being a positive and powerful enough influence around campus that I was chosen to receive this recognition.”

 

Maia Williams

Major: Animal Science
Concentration: Science and Technology
Hometown: Missouri City, Texas

Maia Williams, a native of Missouri City, Texas, is an LSU Ogden Honors College student graduating with a degree in animal sciences. At LSU, she experienced growth and self-discovery, taking on leadership roles as an LSU Honors Ogden College Scholar and undergraduate researcher.

Williams is proud to have contributed to a variety of on-campus organizations. She held leadership positions for the LSU Black Women’s Empowerment Initiative and the Pre-Veterinary Club at LSU. Williams was also an active member of the Black Honors Initiative, Minority Science Pre-Professional Society, and Student Christian Medical Association.

Williams credits her experience with undergraduate research as a driving force for her professional and personal development. She was an undergraduate researcher for the LSU Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences’ Laboratory for Equine and Comparative Orthopedic Research and contributed to feline stem cell research manuscripts. 

“I want to thank Dr. Lopez, Catherine Takawira, and Takashi Taguchi, who has been instrumental in my development as a scientist and researcher. As well as Dr. Moreira and Dr. Coulon for their mentorship and assistance throughout my undergraduate career,” said Williams.

Upon graduation, Williams plans to pursue a master’s in public health at the University of Texas Public School of Health in Houston.

“Being a part of the Tiger Twelve Class of 2022 is an incredible honor and signifies that the work and effort I put in during my time at LSU was impactful and meaningful,” said Williams. “I am so honored to be recognized among this elite group of students who reflect the diverse opportunities and culture at LSU, as well as the tremendous contributions LSU students make to our campus and the community at large.”

 

Alexia LaGrone

Major: Natural Resource Ecology and Management
Concentration: Ecological Restoration
Minor: Oceanography and Coastal Sciences
Hometown: Lafayette, Louisiana

Alexia LaGrone, a native of Lafayette, Louisiana, is an LSU Ogden Honors College student graduating with a degree in natural resource ecology and management with a minor in oceanography and coastal sciences. LaGrone is passionate about the coastal environment and finds fulfillment in helping communities.

LaGrone spent her college career spearheading numerous service projects. She helped establish Collegiate 4-H at LSU and LSU’s Water Brigade Chapter. She is a member of the LSU Ogden Honors College’s Louisiana Service and Leadership Program, an educational program dedicated to studying and improving the state of Louisiana. She was active in Sigma Alpha, and the organization named her the 2020 National Outstanding Leader.

LaGrone is a Stamps Scholar, and she received the Dean Carolyn Collins Award by the Black Faculty and Staff Caucus in 2019 and the Laborde Leadership Scholarship by the College of Agriculture in 2021. She also participated in Louisiana Wildlife Federation’s Edgar Veillon Conservation Leadership Corps. In 2021, LaGrone was named a National Udall Scholar.

“One of the proudest achievements that I have had in the past four years was being named a Udall scholar in 2021 for my interest in the environment,” said LaGrone. “Becoming a Udall recipient felt like a culmination and recognition for the work I have been putting in to improve my community and the world around me. It is an honor that I will never forget.”

She also participated in undergraduate research with LSU’s Freshwater Ecology Lab, working on her honors thesis research project. She is currently completing an internship with the Water Institute of the Gulf Applied Geosciences Division. 

After graduation, LaGrone plans to spend her time working with environmental policy or community services before pursuing a master’s in the environmental justice field.

“Being a part of LSU’s Tiger Twelve means so much to me,” said LaGrone. “I love Louisiana State University, and I have always worked hard to find ways to improve it over the past four years in any way possible. Being recognized for my efforts in doing so is amazing and humbling.”

 

Taylor Perrodin

Major: Agricultural Business
Hometown: Crowley, Louisiana 

Taylor Perrodin, a native of Crowley, Louisiana, is an LSU Ogden Honors College student graduating with a degree in agricultural business. Perrodin took advantage of her time at LSU to better the Baton Rouge community and prepare herself for law school. 

In addition to focusing on her studies, Perrodin was heavily involved in campus life throughout her college career. She held leadership positions for LSU Student Government, Les Voyageaus, and Alpha Kappa Psi. Through her involvement with LSU Student Government, she contributed to creating a pilot program that helped combat food insecurity on LSU’s campus.

Perrodin interned with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry for three years, taking a special interest in the international trade program. From this experience, she secured a government relations internship with the International Fresh Produce Association for summer 2022.

After graduation, Perrodin will be attending New England Law School in Boston on a full-ride scholarship to study environmental law. 

“​For me, receiving the Tiger Twelve recognition shows me that it is possible to make an impact on the environment and those around you, and that hard work pays off,” said Perrodin. “LSU was my dream school, and it means the world to me to be recognized as a committed leader to the university that has given me so much.”