View a recording of today’s meeting here.

UL SYSTEM ADVANCES STRATEGIC INITIATIVES TO STRENGTHEN LOUISIANA’S WORKFORCE AND ECONOMY

BATON ROUGE, La. – The University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors convened today in Baton Rouge, advancing academic and data-driven initiatives designed to expand opportunity, align talent with workforce needs, and improve outcomes for students and the state. 

The Board approved two new academic programs at Grambling State University, including a Master of Science in Sustainability—the first graduate-level program of its kind at a public university in Louisiana—and a Bachelor of Science in Public Health, expanding access to emerging career pathways in two of the most pressing fields of our time. 

“This is more than program expansion—it’s a declaration that Grambling is preparing students to lead in areas that will define our future,” said Dr. Martin Lemelle, Jr., President of Grambling State University. “These programs position our graduates to meet the moment, lead with purpose, and shape the future of Louisiana and beyond.” 

The Board also approved the awarding of an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters to Mrs. Alana Ward Robinson at Grambling State University’s Spring 2025 Commencement. 

In his report to the Board, UL System President Rick Gallot highlighted the System’s expanded ability to track graduate outcomes and articulate the long-term value of a college degree. 

“We now have the tools to tell a more complete story—not just about where our graduates go, but about how they transform the places they stay,” Gallot said. “75% of our TOPS graduates remain in Louisiana, and Pell-eligible students who earn their degrees from our institutions are averaging between $60,000 and $80,000 in annual income. For many of these graduates, that level of earning power lifts an entire family out of poverty in a single generation.” 

The University of Louisiana System generates a $13.6 billion annual economic impact for the state—further reinforcing the role of public higher education as a powerful driver of opportunity, mobility, and prosperity across Louisiana. 

This insight is enabling System institutions to better align academic programs with workforce needs by identifying top employers across disciplines and fostering stronger partnerships between campuses and communities. 

The meeting also included updates on the University of Louisiana Monroe presidential search, with semifinalist interviews scheduled for April 29–30 and finalist interviews before the Board on May 19, 2025. 

Additional actions included approvals related to athletics contracts, audit restructuring, facilities planning, finance and fee schedules, and personnel appointments across the System’s nine institutions.

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BOARD ACTIONS

ACADEMIC AND STUDENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE 

Grambling State University: approval to award an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters to Mrs. Alana Ward Robinson at the Spring 2025 Commencement Exercises. 

Grambling State University: approval to offer a Bachelor of Science in Public Health. 

Grambling State University: approval to offer a Master of Science in Sustainability. 

ATHLETIC COMMITTEE 

Louisiana Tech University: approval of the contractual agreement between Ms. Rian “Cami” Hicks, Assistant Volleyball Coach, Louisiana Tech University: and Louisiana Tech University: Foundation, effective March 24, 2025. 

Louisiana Tech University: approval of contractual agreements between various Assistant Football Coaches, Louisiana Tech University: and Louisiana Tech University: Foundation. 

McNeese State University: approval of a contract with Mr. Bill Armstrong, Head Men’s Basketball Coach, effective March 25, 2025. 

McNeese State University: approval of a contract with Ms. Ayla Guzzardo, Head Women’s Basketball Coach, effective April 2, 2025. 

Northwestern State University: approval of a second contractual amendment with Ms. Anna Nimz, Head Women’s Basketball Coach, effective March 24, 2025. 

Southeastern Louisiana University: approval of a contract with Mr. Jeff Dow, Head Women’s Basketball Coach, effective April 1, 2025. 

Southeastern Louisiana University: approval of a contract with Mr. Lee McBride, Head Women’s Volleyball Coach, effective January 6, 2025. 

Southeastern Louisiana University: approval of contractual agreements between various Assistant Coaches, Southeastern Louisiana University: and the Lion Athletics Association. 

University of Louisiana at Lafayette: approval of an amended contract with Mr. James Salgado, Assistant Football Coach/Defensive Coordinator, effective February 27, 2025. 

University of Louisiana at Lafayette: approval of a Contract for Employment with Mr. Quannas White, Head Men’s Basketball Coach, effective April 1, 2025. 

University of Louisiana at Monroe: approval of a contract with Ms. Molly Fichtner, Head Women’s Softball Coach, effective March 31, 2025. 

University of Louisiana at Monroe: approval of a contract with Mr. Reid Gann, Head Women’s Volleyball Coach, effective March 31, 2025. 

AUDIT COMMITTEE 

University of Louisiana System: reported on internal and external audit activity for the period of February 17, 2025 through April 7, 2025. 

University of Louisiana System: approval to restructure the internal audit function across System institutions and to align the System audit charters with the restructure. 

FACILITIES PLANNING COMMITTEE 

Louisiana Tech University: approval to name a space in Bogard Hall the Shutt-Fox Collaborative Suite. 

Nicholls State University: approval to lease a section of the Nicholls Farm to Ducks Unlimited, Inc., a non-profit corporation domiciled in Memphis, Tennessee, in accordance with LSA-RS 17:3361. 

FINANCE COMMITTEE 

Grambling State University: approval to establish the Willie D. Davis College of Business Endowed Professorship. 

McNeese State University: approval to have a student referendum for fee increases. 

University of Louisiana System: approval Campus Housing and Meal Plan Rates, Auxiliary Rates, Energy Surcharge, and Non-Governmental Charges for Academic Year 2025-26. 

University of Louisiana System: System recommended that the Board authorize the System President to negotiate and submit, for approval to the Louisiana Attorney General, a proposed contract for professional legal services with the law firm of Taylor, Porter, Brooks & Phillips LLP. 

University of Louisiana System: adopted policy requiring University: Presidents to obtain prior Board approval for the engagement of legal services or outside counsel, and authorized System staff to develop and implement a Policy and Procedures Memorandum (PPM) reflecting this requirement. 

PERSONNEL COMMITTEE 

McNeese State University: approval to appoint Dr. Nikos Kiritsis as Interim Dean and Professor of the College of Science, Engineering, and Mathematics, and Director of IIEC, effective March 1, 2025. 

Northwestern State University: approval to appoint Dr. Aimee Badeaux as Dean of the College of Nursing and School of Allied Health, effective March 24, 2025.