LSUA Chancellor

Message from the Chancellor (October 1, 2009)

In my most recent message on this site, I discussed how LSU Alexandria (LSUA) is a university on a journey to maturation as a baccalaureate institution. As the only public university in Louisiana whose mission is devoted entirely to the success of undergraduate students, its academic focal points (centers of excellence) must clearly speak to this mission. At this point in our maturation, our clearest expressions of excellence (although still early in development) are the concept and vision of the Business Education Center, the engagement of the Arts and Humanities in both integrated learning and community outreach, and our collaborative approach to the education of Health Care professionals. Below I am pleased to share with you our articulation of the expression of the need for high quality teacher education as an academic focal point and a Center of Excellence for undergraduate education at LSU Alexandria.

Students in Louisiana and the United States are severely impacted by the shortage of qualified teachers at all levels of public education, pre-K through high school. The goal is simple and targeted: provide Louisiana, particularly Central Louisiana, with certified teachers who will remain domiciled and employed in region. Since fall 2003, LSUA has prepared 177 program completers for teacher certifications, 87% of whom are employed in Rapides Parish or surrounding parishes.

Conversations with all of the region’s school superintendents confirm the positive outcomes for the region’s parishes. More than simply credentialing teachers and placement in the region to improve public education, the Department of Education has demonstrated excellence in specific ways. The teacher education unit gives priority to the scholarship of application – where teacher candidates and instructors connect with real life situations in the surrounding P-12 schools. University instructors and P-12 clinical faculty collaborate to plan successful training experiences for LSUA teacher candidates - experiences that also ensure meaningful experiences for P-12 students. Similarly, university faculty and P-12 clinical faculty identify or present professional development opportunities for the purposes of enhancing the professional knowledge, skills, and dispositions of teacher candidates, university faculty, and P-12 clinical faculty.

The faculty members of the Department of Education provide enrichment and tutoring experiences for surrounding P-12 students. Through close collaboration with the faculty and departments of the arts and sciences, teacher education programs at LSU Alexandria have a stronger marriage between pedagogy and content than do many programs in education. The faculty of the arts and sciences are partners with their colleagues in education ensuring that students in the Department of Education receive high quality content and are assessed to rigorous and demanding standards.

All eleven LSUA teacher education programs have been approved by external evaluators through the Louisiana Board of Regents approval process. State and national accreditation visits (Louisiana Department of Education and National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education) are scheduled for October 24-28, 2009.

Thank you.

Revised: 10/1/2009

Message from the Chancellor (September 1, 2009)

In my most recent message on this site, I discussed how LSU Alexandria is a university on a journey to maturation as a baccalaureate institution. As the only public university in Louisiana whose mission is devoted entirely to the success of undergraduate students, its academic focal points (centers of excellence) must clearly speak to this mission. At this point in our maturation, our clearest expressions of excellence (although still early in development) are Education, the concept and vision of the Business Education Center, the engagement of the Arts and Humanities in both integrated learning and community outreach, and our collaborative approach to the education of Health Care professionals. Below I share with you our articulation of the expression of the Arts and Humanities as an academic focal point and a Center of Excellence for undergraduate education at LSU Alexandria.

One of the most refreshing changes to undergraduate education in the late 20th and early 21st Centuries has been the conversation surrounding the integration of undergraduate curricula, widening engagement of different constituencies in learning, and the blending of the traditional general education objectives with those of professional education. At the center of this is the synergy created via student learning opportunities in the arts and humanities and the university responsibility to serve as a regional cultural catalyst.

The Department of Arts, English, and Humanities has developed several initiatives to bridge undergraduate student learning with cultural activities that reach out to the Central Louisiana community and also bring the community to cultural venues available through LSU Alexandria. Noteworthy examples of this programming include film and theatre, art and architecture, philosophy and religious studies, literature and languages, communication studies and media opportunities.

• The Cavanaugh Public Lecture Series provides a forum for provocative ideas. Local authors and scholars from as far away as New Brunswick and Montenegro have offered international and global perspectives on a variety of topics. Recent series have featured author and journalist James Grady, as well as Native American writer Diane Glancy. The Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities awarded this program a speakers grant in 2009.
• The Tournées Film Festival provides Central Louisiana with its own French film festival through a grant from the French American Cultural Exchange. The film series attracted more than 500 participants in 2009.
• Shakespeare-on-the-Green, now a decade-long tradition that is performed outdoors under the LSUA oaks each spring, is the annual culmination of LSUA’s theatre program. Other performances during the year are held in the Kress Theatre and the Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center in downtown Alexandria. During the 2009 four-night performance schedule, Shakespeare-on-the-Greene attracted more than 1200 to the campus quadrangle of LSUA.
• Arts programs are offered through the University Gallery on the campus of LSUA and at the Alexandria Museum of Art, one of the few accredited museums in the state. A full schedule of workshops, camps, lectures, classes, and exhibitions make these spaces a constantly renewing source of aesthetic enjoyment for the Central Louisiana region’s population. The department has also sponsors outreach programs, such as the traveling theatre troupes that expose rural schoolchildren to Shakespeare and commedia dell’arte, and annual poetry workshops.

All of these programs attest to the vital role that LSUA and the Department of Arts, English, and Humanities play in the cultural lives of the residents of Central Louisiana. More than simply activities undertaken for the enrichment of the University and the larger community, these are also applications of the arts and humanities to education and afford opportunities for LSUA students to interact with the community and to do so in a way that makes the community a laboratory of applied learning for students in the liberal arts. Unlike the altogether typical campus-centered programs in the arts and humanities, students at LSUA are engaged in what are truly community-centered programs which enrich their learning. As much, if not more, than other areas of the University, Arts, English and Humanities is beginning to deliver on the ideas referenced by the Association of American Colleges and Universities in its provocative “College Learning for the New Global Century.”

Thank you.

Revised: 9/1/2009

Message from the Chancellor (August 3, 2009)

LSU Alexandria is a university on a journey to maturation as a baccalaureate institution. As the only public university in Louisiana whose mission is devoted entirely to the success of undergraduate students, its academic focal points (centers of excellence) must clearly speak to this mission.

The mission and culture of LSU Alexandria have been shaped by the needs of the region in response to the barriers that prevented a high level of undergraduate student success in Central Louisiana. Thus, through the mission, culture and resulting responses, LSU Alexandria embraced issues of broadened access to higher education, issues of working with the adult learners, issues of providing professional training for place-bound students, and issues of responding to the needs of non-traditional learners. As the University embraced selective admissions (2007) and a focus on being an exclusively undergraduate institution and a leader for post-secondary education in Central Louisiana, our “excellence” has come in maintaining a commitment to access (e. g. the LSUE collaborative), maintaining and building on our connections to K-12 schools (one of the strongest early start/dual enrollment programs in the state) and building an institution which is strongly connected to its community. The enhancements in our facilities – the Allied Health Education Center created through a partnership with the Rapides Regional Medical Center, the Alexandria Museum of Art, and the Business Education Center co-located with the Central Louisiana Business Incubator in downtown Alexandria - demonstrate the point.

Discipline-based “Centers of Excellence” are emerging from this institutional commitment and from this institutional culture. At this point in our maturation, our clearest expressions of excellence (although still early in development) are Education, the concept and vision of the Business Education Center, the engagement of the Arts and Humanities in both integrated learning and community outreach, and our collaborative approach to the education of Health Care professionals. In the coming weeks, I will be sharing with you our commitments to each of these Centers of Excellence.

Thank you.

Revised: 8/3/2009

Message from the Chancellor (June 19, 2009)

Dear Friends:

New construction always speaks to the future, to the dynamic of change and to the promise of quality.The LSU Alexandria community is fortunate to mark the beginning of this future with the groundbreaking of the Multipurpose Academic Center (MPAC).We will gather at 10:00 AM on June 18, 2009 to set this new construction on its path forward and we hope to celebrate its conclusion in eighteen months.The MPAC will create a major presence on the LSUA campus with its imprint of 70,000 square feet and three stories of glass, steel, and brick exterior finishes.The investment of nearly $11 million is the largest investment on the campus in twenty-five years and will represent a stunning commitment of LSUA to undergraduate student achievement and success.

Features of Multipurpose Academic Center include:

• Twelve classrooms each seating 30 students;
• Two classrooms each seating 85;
• Two classrooms each seating 48;
• A methods classroom with seating for 30 students;
• A computer and writing laboratory for 20 students and adjoining small group study room;
• Painting and drawing studio for 30 students;
• Ceramic studio for 24 students, an indoor kiln room and outdoor ceramics kilns and yard;
• Photography suite with lecture and work area for 20 students, darkroom, and digital printing capabilities;
• Archive storage for the LSUA permanent art collection;
• Chorale room and theatre rehearsal room;
• Four music practice rooms;
• Black Box Theatre seating 175 and associated controls, equipment and lighting;
• Four department office suites; and
• Sixty-one faculty offices.

In recent years several additions to the LSU Alexandria campus have signaled important change and advancement, such as construction and occupancy of The Oaks Residence Hall, construction of the new baseball and softball complex (scheduled for dedication on February 3, 2010), and the current renovation of the Student Center and Brumfield-Caffey Annex.All of these speak to the very bright future of LSUA; however, the Multipurpose Academic Center will serve as a singular resource to transform teaching and learning on the campus.While it has taken several years to reach this stage, the MPAC will mark a new era in undergraduate higher education in Central Louisiana.

Thank you.

Revised: 6/15/2009

Message from the Chancellor (May 13, 2009)

Dear Friends:

First, as I near the close of my first year as Chancellor I wanted to thank all who have helped to ease my transition to LSU Alexandria and for your patience as I asked questions, learned processes, came to appreciate the traditions, and listened to your aspirations and hopes for the University. The year has progressed more rapidly than I anticipated and has given me a new perspective on the time available for meaningful progress. As I look back on the year, I am particularly grateful for the dedication of our faculty and staff and for the broad understanding that we will only make significant progress if we all focus on the ultimate goal, the success of our students.

I am very proud of the way our campus responded to the challenges of the year, whether they were natural disasters or financial strains. The common thread of these extremes is that we responded expeditiously and humanely, with deep appreciation for the wellbeing of our colleagues and students, and with a focus on our mission and core activities. We may face more financial stresses and I know that we have learned to address these in creative ways that preserve and nurture our academic mission. Thank you for your honest and open concerns over these financial matters and for your suggestions on how to address them.

LSU Alexandria has many positive markers on its horizon. Three large construction projects will be in various stages during the year and all will have immense and diverse impact on the academic and campus life of the University -- completion of the baseball and softball complex, completion of the renovations to the Student Center, and initiation of the construction of the Multipurpose Academic Center. As we welcome our faculty and students in the fall semester, we will also be welcoming a Fulbright Scholar from Montenegro. In the coming summer and during the fall semester, we will be finalizing our plans for the celebration of the 50th anniversary of LSU Alexandria. We will mark the special legacy of the University during the year 2010 and will also chart the course for a bright and engaging future.

Finally, I have learned much about LSU Alexandria during the year and wish to thank all who participated in the strategic planning consultations. These conversations have been valuable and they will continue during the early weeks of the summer. These serve as important sources to inform the content of the new strategic plan. Hopefully I will be able to have a draft of this plan ready for review at the end of the summer and at that time will invite your comments.

Thank you.

Revised: 5/13/2009

Message from the Chancellor (March 3, 2009)

Dear Friends:

Selecting the university that best fits your academic, professional and personal goals can be a challenging experience. In these days of stressed financial and credit markets, the challenge can seem daunting. In spite of this challenge, you should seek the assistance of those who have attended the institution you are considering. Always try to visit the campus and consult with faculty, staff and students who are associated with the university. Below are a few of the points of comparison that are important as you consider and evaluate your choices.

Do the academic offerings and degree programs meet your expectations? Carefully look at the majors you might choose, the rigor of the curricula, and how they will fit into your career goals. To assist in this navigation, you should inquire into the availability of professional advising services and whether your faculty will serve as advisors and mentors. To reinforce these touch points of academic quality, seek other quality measures, such as the ratio of undergraduate students to full-time faculty, undergraduate research opportunities, and other extracurricular activities that complement your academic goals.

As a first time freshman, I think it is important for you to ask if you will be welcomed to campus as a leader. Attending a university is certainly first and foremost about reaching your academic goals; however, you should also see the university as an environment in which you will grow and evolve as a leader. Opportunities to contribute to the vibrancy of the campus life and to the service and outreach mission of the university should not be overlooked. The years you will spend at the university are important for your growth and maturity, but they are also times when the university will need you to be part of its life and future. Experiences gained through extra-curricular activities can enhance your marketability and opportunities beyond your college years.

The question of cost and affordability are foremost in the minds of many. As you seek answers to your questions, be certain to ask about financial assistance, scholarships and other financial aid. The university you choose will work closely with you and your family to find the package of financial assistance that best fits your financial needs. Regardless of your financial need, always try to evaluate the best value for your personal investment.

If you are a non-traditional student who may have some university experience and you are seeking to complete your degree, the same considerations apply. However, you might also look for other university features that will assist you in completing your degree objectives; for example, the availability of non-traditional course formats, variations in course and class locations, special financial assistance, or child care facilities.

Finally, I invite you to visit LSU at Alexandria. Our faculty, staff and administration are available to answer your questions, consult on academic degree programs, tour the campus with you or guide you through the issues of financial assistance and scholarships. I also hope you take the opportunity to meet some of our students and that you seek their insight into the quality of their experience at LSUA. To a person, I think you will discover that LSUA enthusiastically focuses on your undergraduate academic success.

Thank you.

Revised: 3/3/2009

Welcome from Dr. Manuel & LSUA Strategic Plan

Dear Friends:

Welcome to the Louisiana State University at Alexandria website and on behalf of the faculty, staff and students of LSUA, Happy New Year! The year 2009 marks the forty-ninth year in the remarkable history of this University and represents an important cusp in both its history and its future. On a personal note I have just completed my first six-month-milestone on my own journey as Chancellor of LSUA. Many alumni, donors, community leaders, faculty, staff and students have played important roles in my orientation and acculturation. I have come to appreciate the dedication that has taken LSUA to its present status, to value the quality of the faculty who care deeply about student success, and to embrace the hope that LSUA will be a driver of economic growth in Central Louisiana.

In the coming months we will evaluate the current strategic plan for LSUA, engage the various constituencies of the University in an open conversation, and create a strategic document that will steer the campus as we launch into our next half century. Higher education faces many challenges, yet the call to educate our students with the skills, knowledge and attitudes to lead and to succeed has never been stronger. Our plan will map the goals, objectives, and actions that will enable us to capitalize on our strengths, seek and make new educational opportunities, improve our processes, and proactively address our challenges.

As we prepare for our upcoming years and new milestones, it is important that we celebrate the successes of our past and the richness of the LSUA heritage. To that end, I will soon announce the formation of the LSUA 50th Anniversary Planning Committee. Members will assist the University in designing and planning a series of celebrations that will mark this important anniversary in 2010. As part of these celebrations we will call attention to the turning points that created new directions and honor those whose dedication has helped LSUA advance.

Finally, if you are a prospective student or a parent, I invite you to visit LSU at Alexandria. Our faculty, staff and administration are available to answer your questions, consult on academic degree programs, tour the campus with you or guide you through the issues of financial assistance and scholarships. I also hope you take the opportunity to meet some of our students and that you seek their insight into the quality of their experience at LSUA. To a person, I think you will discover that LSUA enthusiastically focuses on your academic success.

Thank you.

Revised: 1/1/2009