Helping students bond at Louisiana university
Woodside is a proud supporter of Nicholls State University (Nicholls) located in Thibodaux, Louisiana, and its retention efforts for first-generation and high-risk student populations through the Woodside Living Learning Community (LLC) in collaboration with the Nicholls Foundation.
Woodside LLC is an academic program that seeks to unite students through celebrating common and individual experiences, ultimately guiding participants to flourish and succeed in all facets of life. It strives to empower young men and women to see their intrinsic worth and foster a legacy of mentorship, leadership, equality, academic success and professionalism.
Central to the program’s success is that it’s designed to promote the connection between first-year student called “freshmen”, mentees and upperclassmen (students in following years) mentors. LLC members live near each other on campus and engage in a designated space in the residence hall, with a new cohort welcomed each year.
Of the university’s students who participated in the program and graduated during the 2024-25 academic year, 100% were either directly employed or accepted into graduate programs, demonstrating that Woodside’s investment in aiding student success is having a tangible benefit for program participants.
“We’re so pleased to have Woodside’s partnership,” said Dr. Amy Hebert, Director of Student Success and Retention, Nicholls State University.
“With its generous support, this LLC plays a key role in enabling lasting friendships and valuable career and academic connections. The Woodside LLC is dedicated to creating an environment where students can grow, form deeper connections, setting them up for success during their time at Nicholls and beyond.”
The Woodside LLC fosters this academic and social engagement through leadership conferences, team-building events, community service activities, and recruitment events among continuing and first-time Nicholls students.
Adriana Magallon is one Nicholls State student who’s convinced the Woodside Energy LLC has helped foster community and new friendships among young women in her group.
“It is awesome to have a space of our own for events, study groups, and when promoting our organisation,” Adriana said.
“Without this space, this group of students would not have a meeting place to call our own."
