LSCO Staff & Faculty NISOD Winners 2026

Captain James Chatlosh serves as our Maritime Instructor and Program Director, where he teaches boat handling. With 15 years of experience teaching boat handling and serving as a designated examiner, Chatlosh has spent the past four years as a maritime instructor at LSCO and about five years with the college overall.

After retiring from the maritime industry, he was inspired to continue working in the field by sharing his knowledge and experience with the next generation. Through his work at LSCO, Chatlosh hopes to prepare students to work safely in the maritime industry and understand what is expected of them as they begin their careers.

George Scarborough teaches mathematics at LSCO and serves as Department Chair for Math, English & Technology, which includes computer science, information technology, graphic design and audio/visual technology. Now in his 13th year at LSCO, Scarborough also has a semester of graduate student teaching experience.

His path to teaching was shaped by his own college experience at McNeese State University, where his professors sparked a love of mathematics that he had never had before. They encouraged him to change his major and continue his education at a higher level, helping him discover talents he never knew.

Today, Scarborough hopes to give his students a similar sense of discovery by helping them see the utility and beauty of mathematics while encouraging lifelong learning and an open, inquisitive mind.

Hallie Gates serves as the Liberal Arts and Public Services Division Director at LSCO and is the program director for Criminal Justice and Forensic Science, while also teaching courses in both fields. Before beginning her teaching career, Gates spent 10 years working in the criminal justice field. She has been teaching for four years and has been part of the LSCO community for three years.

Her decision to pursue teaching was inspired by her own college experience, where she admired her professors and appreciated how invested they were in helping her succeed in her career. She wanted to provide that same support and encouragement to her own students.

Through her work at LSCO, Gates hopes students gain not only knowledge in criminal justice, but also an appreciation for the responsibility they have and the positive impact they can make in their communities.

Carrie Cruz is an adjunct instructor at LSCO, where she teaches Music Appreciation and Fine Arts Appreciation (Humanities). She began teaching at LSCO in Fall 2023 and has worked in higher education since 2023, including teaching applied trombone lessons to music majors at Miles College in Alabama. Cruz has also spent more than 20 years teaching public school music, primarily elementary general music, with additional experience in choir and band.

After years in the public school classroom, she was inspired to pursue higher education as an opportunity to reach students in a different learning environment. She especially enjoys using online teaching and technology to connect with students from different backgrounds while making learning accessible and meaningful.

Through her courses, Cruz hopes students develop a deeper appreciation for music across different styles, cultures and periods of history, while becoming more open-minded and confident learners. Most importantly, she wants her students to know that she genuinely cares about their success and is invested in helping them reach their goals.

Jennifer Fabriguze serves as the Health Professions Department Chair and Pharmacy Technology Program Director and Instructor at LSCO. She has been teaching for four years and has been part of the LSCO community since August 2022.

Fabriguze’s journey into pharmacy technology began as an LSCO student after a pharmacy technician encouraged her to explore the field. As she gained experience, she discovered a passion for helping others succeed through tutoring students and preparing them for certification exams. Because LSCO played such an important role in her own journey, she was inspired to return as an instructor and help students develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to achieve their goals.

Today, she hopes every student she encounters leaves LSCO with greater confidence, a sense of belonging, and the belief that they can accomplish goals they once thought were beyond their reach. Whether in the classroom or simply answering a question while walking across campus, Fabriguze strives to create a supportive environment where students feel encouraged to grow, succeed and make a lasting impact in their communities.

Melissa Chatlosh serves as the Early Alert Coordinator in the OASIS, LSCO’s academic support center, where she follows up when instructors raise concerns about students, helps them understand their options and connects them with tutoring and other resources.

She has worked in higher education since 2023 and joined LSCO that same year. During her time at the college, Chatlosh served as a Gator Success Specialist, Career Services Success Coach and now, Early Alert Coordinator, where she works one-on-one with students and instructors.

Her passion for higher education comes from helping people see possibilities they may not yet recognize for themselves. She values meeting students at different points in their lives and helping them find practical next steps toward their goals. Through her work, Chatlosh hopes students leave knowing they have been heard, that they have options and that asking for help is a strength. Most importantly, she wants students to feel confident in their next step and know they do not have to figure it all out alone.

Crystal Compton serves as the Director of Dual Credit Services at LSCO, where she has worked for 20 years. Her career at LSCO is rooted in a simple but meaningful belief: “My effort matters, and what I do every day makes a difference.”

For Compton, making an impact each day is something she holds close to her heart and brings to her work with students. Through her role in Dual Credit Services, she hopes to help students achieve one thing above all: success.

Dr. Skylar Slaughter-Murphy is an Assistant Professor at LSCO and serves as the Director of Education and Department Chair of Public Service Programs. She teaches courses in education, child development and geography, including Introduction to Teaching, Introduction to Special Populations, Child Growth and Development, Educating Young Children, Cultural Geography and World Regional Geography.

Slaughter-Murphy has worked in education for 13 years and is currently in her third year at LSCO. Her passion for teaching comes from a desire to make a difference in the lives of others. Throughout her own journey, she was guided and encouraged by people who helped shape her path, inspiring her to provide that same support to others. At LSCO, she hopes to create a genuine sense of community in her classes while inspiring students to continue learning long after they leave higher education and enter the workforce.