Cynthina Ramirez

Associate Professor and Gallery Director

Park Campus

Multipurpose 223
(504) 286-5207

Ms. Ramirez is a multi-media artist who has exhibited her work in numerous local, national and international exhibitions.  She received a B.F.A. in Painting and Printmaking from Virginia Commonwealth University (1986) and a M.F.A. in Painting and Printmaking from the University of New Orleans (1990).  Despite being trained as a painter and printmaker, Ms. Ramirez has recently incorporated performance into her work. 

She has taught eight years in the Talented in the Visual Arts Program for the Orleans Parish Public Schools, and was also Program Coordinator for the Arts Council of New Orleans’ Urban Arts Training Program, a summer job program for youths creating public art in the New Orleans community.  Ms. Ramirez was Visual arts/Site Coordinator for the New Orleans Theatre Associations’ Children Summer Art Program.  She is also Visual Arts Coordinator of Alternative Roots’ State of the Nation: Visual & Performance Arts Festival.  Ms. Ramirez was awarded an Adolph Gottlieb Emergency Artist’s Assistance Grant, Joan Mitchell Emergency Artist’s Assistance Grant and Louisiana Cultural Economic Artist’s Assistance in 2006.

Gary W. Oaks

Assistant Professor

Park Campus

Multipurpose 209
(504) 286-5208

Mr. Oaks teaches Studio Art courses as well as courses in Art Appreciation. He is an active visual artist whose  interests include drawing, multiple-media sculpture, and conceptual art. Mr. Oaks frequently exhibits his work locally, regionally, and nationally. His art can be found in several private international collections. He is currently preparing work to be completed at the Santa Fe Art Institute where has been granted a month-long residency. Mr. Oaks has also been appointed Curator of Exhibitions at Zeitgeist Multi-Disciplinary Art Center in New Orleans.

Michael Pierce

Assistant Professor of Music

Lake Campus 29B
(504) 286-5045

Mr. Pierce has a Master's degree in Music and brings to the Music Department at Southern University a wealth of  knowledge and experience having taught at Xavier, Dillard, Southern in Baton Rouge as an adjunct professor. He also taught in the New Orleans Public School system for more than twenty years.  Mr. Pierce has performed on saxophones, clarinet, and flute with many great artists, both local and international; and is currently performing in New Orleans and Abroad. Mr. Pierce has plans on pursuing a Doctorate Degree in the area of Music Technology\Ethnomusicology in the near future.