LSU Begins Search for New University President

LSU Launches Search for New President

Baton Rouge, LA – Louisiana State University (LSU) has initiated its search for a new president, appointing Baton Rouge-based SSA Consultants to oversee the process. The LSU Board of Supervisors aims to finalize the selection of a new leader by early December, with hopes of having someone in place for the upcoming spring semester.

Christel Slaughter, president of SSA Consultants, is leading the search and will work alongside Eric Monday, the executive vice president for finance and administration at the University of Kentucky and a former LSU chief financial officer. This collaboration aims to ensure that LSU attracts a broad and qualified pool of candidates for the position.

At least three candidates have already expressed preliminary interest in the role, including interim LSU President Matt Lee, McNeese State President Wade Rousse, and Republican U.S. Representative Julia Letlow. The emergence of these candidates reflects a desire for continuity while enhancing the university’s leadership.

Committee Structure and Timeline

LSU’s search committee will convene three times this fall to refine their selection process, ultimately recommending between three to five finalists to the Board of Supervisors for consideration. Board Chairman Scott Ballard noted that while there is an optimistic expectation for a new president starting in early spring, the timeline may fluctuate based on the selected candidate’s availability.

The new president will take over after the departure of former President William Tate IV, who left earlier this year for a position at Rutgers University. In the interim, Vice President for Agriculture Matt Lee is fulfilling the role of acting president.

Concerns Over Diversity and Political Influence

The search committee, comprising 20 members, has received scrutiny for its diversity representation, with only three women and three members of color among its ranks. This has drawn concerns from LSU students and organizations about the fairness and bias in the search process. The committee includes individuals who are alumni of LSU and also those connected to Governor Jeff Landry’s administration, leading to questions about political influences on the selection.

Future meetings of the search committee are scheduled for September 10, October 1, October 29, and November 12. Christel Slaughter announced that advertisements for the presidency would be published soon to facilitate official applications, thereby broadening the pool of potential candidates.

Contextual Background

This search represents LSU’s first significant leadership decision amid heightened political scrutiny following increasing influence from Governor Jeff Landry over higher education governance in the state. The new president will not only oversee the Baton Rouge campus but will also manage the broader LSU system, consolidating roles that were previously separate until 2012. Given the complexity of the current educational landscape, the newly appointed leader will need to navigate various challenges facing the university.

Compliance with public meeting and record laws will guide the search, ensuring transparency in candidate discussions. However, the members of the search committee have also faced criticism regarding their connections and capability to reflect the diverse needs of the LSU community.

FAQ

Key Features of LSU’s Presidential Search