Office of Sustainability Staff
Gretchen LaCombe Vanicor, She/Her
As the University's first Director of Sustainability, Gretchen works closely with the Office of the President and the President's Council on Sustainability to identify and prioritize areas for campus-wide sustainability efforts, plan and develop strategies to reduce energy and material consumption, and engage university leaders to improve sustainability broadly across campus units. She also serves as the campus spokesperson on sustainability issues. Gretchen earned a bachelor’s degree in management with a double major in marketing from McNeese State University in 2006. She also earned bachelor's and master’s degrees in architecture from UL Lafayette in 2008 and 2010, respectively. Gretchen returned to UL Lafayette in January 2014 after working in the local architecture industry.
Blair Begnaud, LEED AP BD + C, She/Her
Assistant Director of Sustainability
Office (337) 482-0054
As the Assistant Director of Sustainability Blair supports the Director of Sustainability in communicating the goals and objectives of the Sustainability Strategic Plan. Blair is focused on the sustainable operations of campus. Blair also is involved with engagement of our campus and community with events/organizations/programs like Fete de la Terre, Arbor Day, Bee Campus Committee, Students for Sustainability, and various other types of Green Programs. She was the office’s Graduate Research Assistant from 2017-2019 while getting her Masters of Architecture at UL Lafayette. Blair returned to UL Lafayette in November 2021 after working as an Architectural Designer/ Sustainability Coordinator at an architecture firm in Fayetteville AR. Her passions include hiking, kayaking, gardening, ceramics, star wars, pickleball, estate sales, and taking trips to national and state parks.
Jonathan R Brown, He/Him
As Sustainability Coordinator, Jonathan engages with student groups and campus departments to provide sustainability education, implement sustainable initiatives, manage hazardous waste collection and disposal, coordinates plastic bag and film recycling and the campus Zero Waste campaign. He is also the chair of the Keep UL Lafayette Beautiful, a university affiliate of Keep Louisiana Beautiful. Jonathan has worked for UL Lafayette since Fall 2017. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communications from Louisiana State University and a Master of Arts degree in Student Affairs in Higher Education from Northwestern State University of Louisiana. Jonathan's favorite past time is attending Beyoncé concerts.
Casey Johnson
Office of Sustainability-Graduate Assistant
Casey started in Spring 2020 and is currently a Graduate Student in the School of Architecture and Design. He received his Bachelor's of Arts in Industrial Design at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in the Spring of 2018. Having a creative background, he loves problem solving through design. His hobbies include event photography, travel, and spending time outdoors.
Lola Lancaster
Office of Sustainability- Student Worker
Lola started in the Fall of 2022 and is currently pursuing a bachelors degree in Mass Communications. She is a student worker for the Office of Sustainability and runs the electronic waste recycling program. Lola is also a member of the Bee Campus U.S.A committee. She is passionate about gardening and protecting pollinators, as well as studying and creating art.
Amy Pousson
Office of Sustainability-Graduate Assistant
Amy started in the Fall of 2023 and is currently a Graduate Student in the School of Architecture and Design. She received her Bachelor of Science in Architectural Design at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in the Spring of 2023. In her free time, Amy loves attending concerts, planning parties, traveling, and tree plotting!
Matthew Dufrene
Office of Sustainability-Graduate Assistant
Matthew started in Fall 2023 and is currently a Graduate Student in the School of Architecture and Design. He received his Bachelors of Science in Architectural Design at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in the Spring of 2023. Matthew enjoys creative problem solving and discovering how architecture can change the world. When not designing amazing buildings, Matthew can be found sightseeing cool buildings, riding his bike, and cooking tasty dishes.
President's Council on Sustainability
The President's Council on Sustainability is a campus-wide advisory body that helps guide the university's efforts to integrate environmental sustainability into campus life, including operations, educational programs, research, and community outreach by facilitating awareness of sustainability issues and the promotion of individual responsibility for reducing the University’s impact on the environment.
