Genevieve May

2021 Alumna of the Year

A native of Metairie, Genevieve (Genny) May graduated from Southeastern in 1974 with
a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology and went on to graduate from the FBI National
Academy, as well as receiving a Master’s degree in Public Administration from LSU,
a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice from Southern University, a Master’s in Urban
Studies as well as Doctor of Philosophy in Urban Studies, both from UNO.

While at Southeastern, May served as a commuter senator in the SGA, president of Cardinal
Newman Hall, and was in the Who’s Who in American Universities. She was also active
in Alpha Omicron Pi sorority where she served as second vice-president and on the
Panhellenic Council.

May started her career as a Deputy Sheriff in Jefferson Parish, and then served the
Louisiana State Police for 32 years, rising through the ranks to lieutenant colonel,
the highest-ranking woman serving the state police at the time. She was then nominated
by President Barack Obama to serve as the U.S. Marshal, Eastern District of Louisiana,
a position she held for eight years.

In addition to serving public safety at the state level, she has also served her country
as a reservist in the U.S. Navy since 1986, attaining the position of Command Master
Chief for Reserve Intelligence Area Southeast. Mobilized after 9-11 during Operations
Noble Eagle and Enduring Freedom, she served as the Senior Enlisted Advisor for the
Defense Intelligence Agency, Joint Intelligence Task Force Combatting Terrorism in
Washington, D.C., and was detailed to the Defense Intelligence Agency and Joint Chiefs
of Staff. She assisted with the development of a database to track suspicious incidents
to coordinate operations in Homeland Defense and the Global War on Terrorism. She
was instrumental in directing the process that enabled information sharing between
the military and law enforcement. In 2007, she served as Senior Enlisted Advisor and
Intelligence Analyst for the U.S.-European Command, in Germany, for eight months.

May now serves as Intelligence Director for the Department of Health and Human Services,
Assistant Secretary of Preparedness and Response, in Washington, D.C.  The agency
leads the nation’s medical and public health preparedness for, response to, and recovery
from disasters and public health emergencies.

As a result of her extraordinary contributions while serving on active duty, May was
awarded the prestigious Defense Meritorious Service Medal. She has received numerous
other honors, including the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executive
of the Year, the LSU Public Administration Alumnus of the Year and the Louisiana Center
for Women in Government and Business Hall of Fame award.

Genevieve May is a positive role model for young female professionals. She has been
a long-time volunteer for the Girl Scouts of Southeast Louisiana, the Crimestoppers
of Greater New Orleans Teen Ambassador program, and served as the Girls Camp Director
for the Louisiana State Police Camp Win-A-Friend for disadvantaged girls.

May currently resides in Washington, D.C and maintains a home in Mandeville. She frequently
gathers with her AOII sisters on adventures such as hiking, cooking classes, and annual
beach trips. But her greatest joy is spending time with her daughter Alex and grandson
Cooper.

May’s commitment to the University, the state of Louisiana, and the safety of our
U.S. citizens, are but a part of the many reasons why we are proud to call her our
2021 Alumna of the Year.