In 1959, the Louisiana Legislature authorized the establishment of LSUA as a two-year commuter college under the governance of the LSU Board of Supervisors. LSUA registered its first students in September of 1960. The first degree program, an Associate in Nursing degree, was initiated in the Division of Nursing in 1964.
The additional academic divisions of Liberal Arts, Business Administration, and Sciences were created in 1967. In 1974, LSUA was accredited by the Commission on 吃瓜直播s of the Southern Association of 吃瓜直播s and Schools (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees. This accreditation was reaffirmed in 1984, 1994, and 2004.
Only one associate degree was available at LSUA from 1964 to March 1986, when the Associate of Arts and Associate of Science transfer degrees were approved. Over the next 15 years, several associate degree and certificate programs were added that the university continues to offer including:
From 1976 through Spring 2003, Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical 吃瓜直播 offered the upper-level course work for select bachelor's degree programs on the LSUA campus through a program known as LSU Senior 吃瓜直播. Initially, the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Bachelor of General Studies were offered. The Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education was added in 1982-83.
ALEXANDRIA - To demonstrate LSUA鈥檚 investment in educating the whole student, the University has created a new position for Holistic Education and Career Development. The newly hired Assistant Vice Chancellor, Dr. Beth Palmer, is focused on wraparound support for students during their academic experience and building partnerships with local businesses for internships and on-the-job training.
According to LSUA Provost Dr. John Rowan, this new position was developed to support the first goal in the university鈥檚 strategic plan, which speaks to holistic education and academic excellence. At LSUA, academic excellence is about helping students establish the foundation for their future, and career development is at the center of holistic education, including career exploration, internships, and other forms of experiential learning.
Previously, Dr. Mary E. 鈥淏eth鈥� Palmer has worked at Louisiana Christian University, Texas Woman鈥檚 University, Texas Wesleyan University, and Texas A&M-Commerce. She has also worked in secondary education as a physical educator and special education teacher.
Dr. Palmer holds a Ph.D. in Business and Sport Management and a Master of Business Administration from Texas Woman鈥檚 University, a Master of Education from North Texas State University, and a Bachelor of Arts from Louisiana 吃瓜直播.
Vision, action, service, and results describe a lifetime of Palmer鈥檚 achievements. She has served as the NAIA Women鈥檚 Basketball President and on multiple committees with the NCAA. Palmer was named Coach of the Year in multiple college conferences. Palmer also held the rank of Staff Sergeant in the Texas State Guard, perhaps the accomplishment most deserving of recognition. She currently serves as Board Chair for United Way of Central Louisiana, on the Central Louisiana Women in Business Conference Committee, and is a member of the Rotary Club of Alexandria.
Dr. Palmer looks forward to assisting in the continued development of connections among all disciplines, helping to provide a pathway for employment and growth for students, balancing ideals and optimism while recognizing cultural influence and student needs, and ensuring that we find a way to address the needs of the whole student. Palmer said, 鈥淚 am most excited to be a part of achieving LSUA鈥檚 mission鈥elping students. The history of the institution has shown dedicated attention to workforce needs with a focus on holistic, innovative student development and intentionality in all planning and direction. I am honored to continue my career as part of LSUA where 鈥榃ithin Reach and Without Limits鈥� is for all.鈥�
鈥淚n searching for someone to lead these efforts, we were hoping to find an individual, preferably with a doctorate, with significant experience in higher education across a wide range of student-centered endeavors,鈥� explained Dr. Rowan. 鈥淒r. Mary Beth Palmer fits the bill. She comes to LSUA with over 35 years of progressive experience in higher education, including areas of senior leadership, academic success, project management, staff training, and community relations 鈥� an aspect that will serve her well in establishing partnerships with employers.鈥�
Written by Adam Lord
Photo credit - Nathan Parish | LSUA Division of Strategic Communication
On June 5, 2001, following approval by the Louisiana State University Board of Supervisors and the Louisiana Board of Regents, the Louisiana Legislature passed legislation (Senate Bill 853) allowing Louisiana State University at Alexandria to offer baccalaureate degrees. In December 2002, SACSCOC approved a substantive change request from LSUA, thereby accrediting the university to award both associate and baccalaureate degrees.
In Fall 2003, LSUA was reorganized into colleges and departments rather than divisions. The 吃瓜直播 of Arts and Sciences is comprised of the departments of Arts, English and Humanities; Behavioral and Social Sciences; Biological Sciences; and Mathematics and Physical Sciences. The 吃瓜直播 of Professional Studies is comprised of the departments of Allied Health, Business Administration, Education, and Nursing.
LSUA began offering four baccalaureate degrees in Fall 2003: Bachelor of Science in Biology, Bachelor of General Studies, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, and Bachelor of Liberal Studies. Because there were students at LSUA who had completed upper-level course work through LSU Senior 吃瓜直播, LSUA produced its first bachelor's degree graduates in December 2003.
A Bachelor of Science in Psychology, approved by the LSU Board of Supervisors in March 2005, and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, approved by the LSU Board in June 2006, are now offered. In 2008 the university began offering Bachelor of Arts degrees in English, Communication Studies, and History, along with Bachelor of Science degrees in Business Administration, Criminal Justice, and Nursing.
In addition to the Department of Education offering courses that lead to an Associate of Arts in The Care and Development of Young Children and the Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, courses are offered for alternative certification in the following areas: Elementary Education, Grades 1-5; Health and Physical Education, Grades K-12; and Secondary Education, Grades 6-12 for the areas of biology, English, history, and mathematics. Students who major in biology, English, history, or mathematics may declare Secondary Education as a minor in these areas of study, earning certification to teach that subject in Grades 6-12. Add-on certifications are available for Early Childhood Education (PK-3) and Special Education in area of existing certification(s).
The Oaks, the university’s first student housing complex, opened in the fall of 2007. The complex, which includes four apartment buildings and a community center.
LSUA hired its first athletic director in January 2007 and began competing in NAIA men’s baseball and women’s fast-pitch softball in Spring 2008. In January 2010, LSUA’s new on-campus baseball-softball complex was unveiled in an opening day dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony. The complex is located on the north side of campus adjacent to the Fitness Center and features seats transferred from the famed Alex Box Stadium on the Baton Rouge campus.
LSUA added five sports in 2014 including men’s and women’s basketball and soccer teams along with women’s tennis. LSUA joined the Red River Athletic Conference in 2014. The RRAC includes Bacone 吃瓜直播 (Okla.), Huston-Tilloston University (Texas), Jarvis Christian 吃瓜直播 (Texas), Langston University (Okla.), LSU-Shreveport, Our Lady of the Lake University (Texas), Paul Quinn 吃瓜直播 (Texas), Texas 吃瓜直播, University of St. Thomas (Texas), University of Texas-Brownsville, University of the Southwest (New Mexico) and Wiley 吃瓜直播 (Texas) in addition to LSUA.
The university’s newest building, Mulder Hall, was opened in August 2011. The building is a 70,000 square-foot facility that provides 18 classrooms, 4 academic department office suites, 52 faculty offices, 2 conference rooms, a computer lab and a writing lab, a painting and drawing studio, a ceramics studio, a photography suite, and a black box theater that seats 175 people.