SU student Dadrius Lanus will present paper on higher education

Dadrius Lanus found opportunity in front of him and acted quickly. Now the history and political science major has a chance to have a research published.

Lanus will be presenting his research paper at the Illinois Summer Research Symposium set for October at the University of Illinois’ Urbana-Champaign campus.

The Baton Rouge native has interned for the last two summers at the University of Illinois’ Graduate College Summer Research Opportunities Programs. He has worked with the Educational Policy Organization and Leadership Department conducting research involving higher education.

“When I think of the (internship) program, two words come to mind, ‘Opportunity’ and ‘Participation’. Whenever the opportunity presents itself, participation should follow…,” Lanus said.

Lanus will present a 25-page research paper focused on Southern University, higher education and the black community. The paper delves into state laws that affect Historically Black Colleges and Universities’ education such as the Louisiana Grad Act and how it affects Southern compared to majority white schools in the state such as Louisiana State University and University of Louisiana at Monroe.

The GRAD Act consists of up to 62 benchmarks mostly based on student success. The law gives colleges authority to increase tuition by up to 10 percent a year, if they meet those performance goals.

Additionally, the state’s performance-based funding formula ties 15 percent of overall state funding for each college on meeting the GRAD Act goals.

The only caution for institutions is that they do not exceed Southern regional averages for tuition charged.

This past summer at his internship, Lanus was also awarded an Outstanding Leadership Award and an Outstanding Poster Award for research he conducted at the University of Illinois.

Lanus said the opportunity to participate in the internships grew out of several “meet and greets” he attended on campus with the Committee on Institutional Cooperation where he was introduced to the Summer Research Opportunity Program.

He also credit his program mentor, Dr. Albert Samuels, assistant professor in the department of Political Science, for being a big part of his success.

“Making it through SU you learn a lot. If you make it here, you can make it anywhere…when you are placed on a bigger stage you are more prepared for what is thrown at you,” Lanus said.