The Washington Parish chapter of the Southern University Alumni Federation will be hosting their first forum to help young people learn more about local college opportunities.

The inaugural “Your Next Level of Education” roundup will be for eighth grade through 12th grade students in partnership with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), including Southern, Alcorn State University, Dillard University, Grambling State University, Jackson State University and Xavier University.

It will be held Saturday, from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m., at the family life center of Bethlehem Baptist Church, located at 837 E. Seventh St. in Bogalusa.

College admission representatives from the listed HBCUs will be present to assist students who are interested in taking their educations to the next level.

The special guest list includes a variety of educators and other professionals who are planning to be in attendance. The list is scheduled to include: Southern University System President-Chancellor Dr. Ray L. Belton; SUP Board of Supervisors Chairman Ann Smith; SU Career Services Director Tamara Foster-Montgomery; SU Assistant Director of Admissions Shaquille Dillon; Gloria B Moultrie, chief academic officer for Community Outreach, Alumni Affairs and Public Relations for SU-New Orleans; Jennifer Williams, SU interim director of admissions; Dr. Bobby Fields, SU engineering department recruiter; Nathaniel Denu, SUSLA vice chancellor for student affairs; Dr. Melva Williams, What’s Next? Program and College Tour founder; Daphne Donaldson, president and CEO of the New Orleans Convention Company; Dottie Belleto, AKA Sorority, Inc., Tau Iota Omega chapter president; Erica D. Williams, GSU at the SU Law Center; SU Alumni Federation presidents Dr. Chad Hurst (St. Helena chapter), Alexia Hoofkin (Tangipahoa), Melva Lee (Slidell), and Erica Moses (St. Tammany); Lois Route, Washington Parish chapter president of the Grambling State University Alumni Federation; members of the Washington Parish Men’s Club; Bogalusa High School band director Chad Harry; and BHS cheerleading sponsor Natasha August.

Dr. Delarious Stewart, of SU, Jackson State University and University of Louisiana Monroe, is scheduled to provide a history lesson that those in attendance will not soon forget.

Area high school counselors are encouraged to attend to obtain information to pass on to juniors and graduating seniors who may be unable to attend.