Sandra Woodley Invited to Interview for the University of Louisiana System Presidency

BATON ROUGE – The Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System will extend an invitation to Sandra K. Woodley to interview for the system presidency next Friday, Nov. 9 in Baton Rouge.  Woodley, who is Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives at the University of Texas System, was chosen from a pool of 16 candidates who applied to lead the nine-university system.

“We have a strong group of applicants but feel Dr. Woodley’s finance background and experience at multiple higher education systems most closely aligns with the current needs of the University of Louisiana System,” said UL System Board Chair Wayne Parker.

Prior to her current role in the UT System, Woodley served as Strategic Planner and Chief Financial Officer for the Arizona Board of Regents; Vice President of Finance, Planning and Performance for the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education; and Associate Executive Director of the Alabama Commission on Higher Education.  She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Master of Business Administration from Auburn University and a Doctor of Business Administration-Management from Nova Southeastern University.

The UL System Presidential Search Application Review Committee unanimously voted for Woodley after a thorough review of public applicants and three applicants brought forward by search consultant Toni Murdock with R. H. Perry and Associates.

When making the motion, Board Member Andre Coudrain lauded the amount of time spent on candidate recruitment and research by board members, staff, and the search consultants.  “The great thing about this Board is we are very careful and thoughtful about every decision.  I especially want to thank R. H. Perry and Associates for not only processing nominations and inquiries, but also actively soliciting candidates from across the country,” said Coudrain.

Plans are for the UL System Board to publicly interview Woodley in a special meeting at 10 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 9 in Baton Rouge.  Although the position will remain open until filled, the Board may choose to name a new president that day.  The meeting will be webcasted live.

For more information about the search including meeting agendas and a copy of Woodley’s application, visit www.ulsystem.edu/ULSsearch.

The largest higher education system in Louisiana, the UL system enrolls over 92,000 students at Grambling State University, Louisiana Tech University, McNeese State University, Nicholls State University, Northwestern State University, Southeastern Louisiana University, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, the University of Louisiana at Monroe, and the University of New Orleans.

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