Shelby Hypolite gives students that extra push of encouragement needed to succeed in higher education.
Hypolite, 45, is a counselor and recruiter for the Upward Bound program at Nicholls.
After its opening in 1979, the Upward Bound program continues to help students from Terrebone and Lafourche parishes adjust to college life.
“We have financial aid workshops and tutorial services,” Hypolite said.
The program concentrates on students who come from low income households and will be first generation college students. Hypolite said he wishes this type of help was available to him when he was in high school.
“I didn’t have anybody to help me. All I knew was that I was going to play basketball,” he said.
Hypolite came to Nicholls after graduating from St. Martinville High School in 1972 on a basketball scholarship. In the 1973-74 season, he was the leading scorer and rebounder and the top free throw shooter in 1975-76 season.
In 1996, he was inducted into the Louisiana Hall of Fame for Basketball. Following his success on the court, he graduated in 1977 with a bachelor’s degree.
After graduation Hypolite remained at Nicholls for three years as the evening manager of the former Student Union.
He spent the next 12 years as a car salesman and did other jobs around the community before returning to Nicholls in 1991 as an assistant basketball coach.
After coaching for more than three years, he became a loan officer at Argent Bank and soon discovered it was not for him.
“I couldn’t sit behind a desk all day long,” he said.
When a position opened up in Upward Bound, Hypolite returned to Nicholls to take the job.
Hypolite said that what he enjoys most about his job is seeing kids succeed.
When one of the students in the program graduate from college, Hypolite said he feels he has accomplished something.
“People can do anything they want to do if they make their mind up to do it,” Hypolite said.
Hypolite is married to Christine, an assistant professor in teacher education.