LSUA’s historic growth as a four-year university

By Paul Coreil

With my recent retirement as chancellor of Louisiana State University of Alexandria (LSUA), I have had more time to reflect on the tremendous growth and success this great university has experienced throughout its history. What began as a two-year junior college has evolved into a thriving four-year university serving thousands of students throughout Central Louisiana and beyond.

Established in 1960, LSUA initially served primarily as a commuter college for students seeking an affordable two-year college education close to home. For more than four decades, the university provided associate degrees that met important workforce needs throughout the region.

One of the most valuable programs, then and now, has been the Associate Degree in Nursing, which prepares students to pursue licensure as registered nurses. Many other associate-degree programs also prepared graduates for meaningful careers or provided a pathway to continue their education at four-year universities.

As workforce needs became more sophisticated, however, it became increasingly apparent that LSUA needed to offer bachelor's degrees if it was to continue meeting the educational and economic-development needs of Central Louisiana.

Move to 4-year status

The momentum for transforming LSUA into a four-year institution began around 2000. Making that vision a reality required an extraordinary amount of work by university officials, community leaders and other supporters.

The proposal had to receive approval from the LSU Board of Supervisors, the Louisiana Board of Regents, the Louisiana Legislature and the governor. Numerous LSUA community champions worked tirelessly to build support for the proposal, despite significant opposition from other regional universities.

After years of hard work, advocacy and negotiations, LSUA's transition to a four-year university was approved in 2001. It was a historic accomplishment for Central Louisiana, one that fundamentally changed the future of LSUA and expanded the educational opportunities available to students across the region.

Difficult beginning

The transition to four-year status did result in the enrollment growth many had hoped for. In the late 1990s (before becoming a 4-year institution), LSUA's enrollment ranged between 1,500-2,000 students. Within several years after transitioning to a 4-year university, however, enrollment climbed significantly, reaching almost 2500 students by the Fall of 2012.

That growth, however, was followed by a dramatic decline the following year. In 2013, enrollment had fallen to approximately 2,000 students.

That is where my personal history with LSUA began.

After retiring from the LSU AgCenter in 2013 as vice chancellor and director of the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service, I was asked by then LSU President Bill Jenkins to serve as interim chancellor of LSUA, replacing Chancellor David Manuel, who had recently resigned.

President Jenkins' charge to me was straightforward: LSUA’s enrollment had to increase!

It quickly became clear that enrollment growth would be essential to LSUA's longterm sustainability. During my year as interim chancellor from 2013 to 2014, I also recognized that the university needed to strengthen its relationships with community leaders, parish school systems, the business community (who were hiring our graduates), legislators and other regional stakeholders.

LSUA also needed a much stronger presence in media relations and marketing. At the time, only limited university resources were dedicated to these efforts. Despite declining tuition-generated revenues and significant budget challenges, we knew that a comprehensive marketing strategy and additional strategic communications personnel would be necessary.

With tremendous financial and advisory support from the LSUA Foundation and its leadership, we began putting that strategy into action.

Building momentum

Following my departure and first retirement in 2014, LSUA's enrollment began growing again, exceeding 2,700 students that year and reaching nearly 3,400 by 2017.

In 2018, however, enrollment declined for the first time in several years, falling to approximately 3,100 students. Once again, concerns arose about declining revenues and future budget challenges due to dropping student numbers.

In 2019, I returned to LSUA after moving from Baton Rouge to Alexandria. I initially served as interim chancellor (June-Sept.) for the second time before being appointed permanent chancellor in October 2019 by LSU President F. King Alexander, with approval from the LSU Board of Supervisors.

Upon my return, it was clear that LSUA needed an even more comprehensive and aggressive enrollment and marketing strategy which began immediately.

We also expanded our partnership with LSU Online, creating additional opportunities for students to enroll who were already working, raising families or otherwise unable to attend classes on campus.

We strengthened our communications and marketing efforts and added personnel to support these initiatives.

In 2020, the leadership team established an ambitious goal: 5,000 students by 2025. It was an extremely aggressive goal. I can honestly say that many of us wondered whether we could actually achieve it. But the outstanding LSUA faculty and staff team went to work.

Remarkable transformation

Beginning with approximately 3,300 students in 2019, LSUA experienced significant enrollment growth as our marketing, recruitment and academic initiatives expanded throughout the region.

The results exceeded our expectations. LSUA reached the 5,000-student enrollment goal in 2023—two full years ahead of schedule.

Enrollment continued to grow, reaching approximately 6,815 students in 2025 and more than 7,700 in Spring of 2026. For Fall 2026, enrollment reached another historic milestone of approximately 8,600 students and is still growing!

These numbers represent far more than enrollment statistics. They represent thousands of students who have gained access to higher education, earned degrees and credentials, entered the workforce and contributed to the communities where they live and work.

LSUA's transformation has also strengthened its role as an important economic and workforce-development engine for Central Louisiana. Students can pursue highdemand degrees and prepare for careers without having to leave the region.

Legacy worth protecting

The story of LSUA's growth is ultimately a story about people. It is a story about students, faculty, staff, alumni, community leaders, legislators, donors and supporters who believed that Central Louisiana deserved a strong four-year public university.

As a recently retired chancellor, I take great pride in what the extremely dedicated LSUA family has accomplished. I am especially pleased to see Dr. Elizabeth Beard leading the university into its next chapter.

Liz is an outstanding, homegrown leader with a genuine passion for student success and a strong commitment to workforce and economic development throughout the region. Her career at LSUA, as a professor, department head, dean, vice chancellor and now chancellor—has prepared her uniquely to lead this outstanding institution.

I encourage everyone throughout Central Louisiana to continue supporting Chancellor Beard, her leadership team, the faculty and staff, and, most importantly, the students of LSUA.

The university's history demonstrates what can happen when a community believes in its students and works together toward a common goal. LSUA has come a remarkably long way since its days as a small two-year junior college. Its future is equally exciting.

May God continue to bless Chancellor Beard and her team, LSUA, its students and the people of Central Louisiana, the place we all call home.

Until next time, Paul Coreil

Email aliya@avyellestoday.com