National News University of Louisiana System program aims to cultivate diversity JaCaleb Smith worked at a trampoline park during his first semester studying chemical engineering at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. by Lafayette Daily Advertiser Jul. 24 2021 @ 9:28pm LAFAYETTE, La. — JaCaleb Smith worked at a trampoline park during his first semester studying chemical engineering at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Along with his summer job at Home Depot, his earnings went to pay for college, but he still wondered if he should — or could — stay in school. "I was paying out of pocket," the 19-year-old said. "It makes people want to stop. Honestly, I did. I had to figure out where the money would come from."