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.
Louisiana State University of Alexandria (LSUA) is pleased to announce the promotion of Deron Thaxton to Executive Vice Chancellor for Administration and Chief Financial Officer.
Thaxton has served as the Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administrative Services and CFO since 2014, though he began his career at LSUA in 2003. The new titles and associated job duties include expanded responsibilities above and beyond a traditional Vice Chancellor position. In addition to CFO duties, Thaxton will provide executive leadership in the administration of campus operations and increase the level of direct support he provides to the Office of the Chancellor.
Paul Coreil, LSUA Chancellor, said, 鈥淒eron has the proven leadership qualities and abilities that are needed for this role, and I feel confident he will continue to make tremendous contributions that will help us achieve programming excellence and enrollment growth in the years ahead.鈥�
Over the last twenty years, Thaxton has held various key roles, including Computing Services Director, Executive Director of IET Services, Chief Information Officer, and Financial Aid Director. Thaxton's commitment to excellence and his vast experience in higher education management have significantly contributed to LSUA's growth and success.
Under Thaxton's stewardship, LSUA has experienced a substantial transformation. Notably, the fall semester of 2014 marked a turning point, with a 22% increase in total enrollment compared to the previous year. Since then, LSUA has witnessed a remarkable surge, with fall 2022 recording the highest enrollment in its history at 4,278 students鈥攁 91.6% increase over the years. Furthermore, LSUA's university auxiliary and restricted accounts have grown from a combined $200,000 in fiscal year 2014 to a stable $9M this past year, solidifying the university's financial strength and stability.
Abbey Bain, Vice Chancellor for Student Engagement and fellow member of the Senior Leadership Team, expressed her support saying, 鈥淒eron is a critical piece of the LSUA team and well respected across campus. His vision and oversight have put LSUA in the healthiest financial position it enjoys today and set the stage for record-breaking enrollments. He is extremely deserving of this promotion.鈥�
Of his new role, Thaxton commented, "So much has changed at LSUA over the past 20 years, but one thing that has remained constant is the supportive family environment we experience every day. I take immense pride in being a part of the remarkable growth we have achieved as an institution. Looking ahead, I am excited to contribute my efforts toward our goal of reaching 5,000 students by 2025 and doing everything in my capacity to ensure LSUA remains the university of choice for our employees and students."
LSUA's administration, staff, and faculty expressed excitement towards the promotion of Thaxton to the new roles and responsibilities, demonstrating confidence in his experience and leadership to sustain and promote the university's growth and success.
The LSUA Office of Finance and Administrative Services is primarily responsible for the stewardship and enhancement of the University鈥檚 financial, physical, and human resources. The office supports the University鈥檚 mission of instruction and public service by providing good fiscal management, accounting for the financial and physical assets, ensuring compliance with laws and regulations, timely procurement and delivery of goods and services, operation of the physical plant, and oversight of other service and business functions of the institution for both on- and off-campus users.
Written by Adam Lord
Photo credit - LSUA Strategic Communications
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.