Camille Moniotte

President's Award for Excellence in Service: Unclassified Staff

MoniotteSafety First - With Service a Close Second

For Camille Moniotte, director of Environmental Health and Safety and this year’s recipient for the President’s Award for Excellence in Service - Unclassified Staff, service means sharing of knowledge and experiences with people in the community, as well as with those at the university.

“My commitment to the Southeastern community is part of my overall commitment to the city of Hammond and ensuring that the campus and city have a mutually beneficial relationship representative of a college town,” she said.

Originally from Jarreau, La., Moniotte has lived in Hammond for over 30 years and considers herself a native. She graduated from Southeastern with a bachelor’s and master’s in biology education with a minor in chemistry.

After teaching high school chemistry for four and one-half years, Moniotte was hired by Southeastern in Hazardous Waste and Chemical Stockroom. Gradually, she branched into other areas within the university.

She has successfully led and supervised a broad range of activities designed to make the campus safe, including the annual Occupational Risk Management (ORM) Safety Audits. She has developed an expertise in compliance with lead, asbestos, radiation safety, fire alarm systems, and hazardous waste. She ensures compliance with all aspects of the campus safety program.

“Camille is very diligent with all of her processes,” said Director of Physical Plant Byron Patterson. “Due to a pursuit of excellence, she has lead Southeastern to the highest scores on the ORM audits. The audits clearly show the rest of the state how an excellent safety program can be managed.”

“I belong to an organization with all universities in Louisiana called LaCUSA (Louisiana College and University Safety Association),” Moniotte said. “All safety people in the state help each university comply with the ever-changing rules and regulations associated with DEQ, OSHA, Air Quality, ORM, etc. I like when they come to me for answers, and I am happy to help.”

Moniotte also carefully reviews injury and accident reports and conducts investigations. She recommends corrective actions and looks for ways to prevent reoccurrence or additional accidents. She maintains accurate records and processes general liability. In addition to Moniotte playing a key role in the day-to-day safety of all faculty, staff and students, she was also a key player in the development of campus disaster plans.

“During the post-Katrina era, Camille toiled many hours putting together detailed documents and reports needed to secure Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reimbursements for repairs made or needed on campus,” said Jessie Roberts, former Human Resources Director. “Through her tireless efforts, this much needed funding was secured. Camille also volunteered with the special needs shelter on campus during Hurricane Gustav.” 

Former Southeastern Police Department Director Paul Marek also recognized Moniotte’s role in Hurricane Katrina recovery.

“Ms. Moniotte was responsible for the review and in some cases the preparation of all claims for damage to campus property and submitting the claims to the State Office of Risk Management and FEMA,” he said. “Her dedication resulted in Southeastern receiving expeditious compensation for damage to campus property.”

Moniotte’s service activities go far beyond the university, according to former Vice President for Administration and Finance Stephen Smith.

“She contributes to this community by training science teachers from Livingston and Tangipahoa parishes on hazardous waste and lab safety; working with the Tangipahoa Parish Emergency Group for hurricanes; and serving as the chairperson of the Hammond Safe Communities Committee that was instrumental in obtaining the Safe Communities Award from the National Safety Council for the City of Hammond,” he said.

Hammond Fire Chief John Thomas agrees that Moniotte is committed to Hammond and its residents.

“Camille is a founding member of SAFE City for the City of Hammond,” Thomas said. “She works closely with the Hammond Fire Department and is always involved in safety events for our community.”

Outside of the safety arena, Moniotte has volunteered with organizations such as the Special Olympics and Hammond Ballet Company, serving in various capacities from manning information booths and supervising dancers backstage to assisting with decorations. Moniotte’s former Administrative Assistant Janet Quarles said Moniotte’s knowledge of her job is beyond compare, so much so that other state universities often call her for advice and guidance.

“Camille does not seek or need limelight, but I always felt she deserved it,” Quarles said. “She is truly ‘one of a kind’ at Southeastern, and I am thankful for the opportunity I had to work with and learn from her. Simply stated, she does her job very well.”