GENERALS BRIEFING
L-R: Melinda Anderson (LSUA Chief of Staff), Roy O. Martin III (RoyOMartin Chairman & CEO), Paul Coreil (LSUA Chancellor)
L-R: Jason Droddy (LSU Vice President of Innovation & Enterprise Development), Abbey Bain (LSUA Vice Chancellor for Enrollment & Student Engagement), Deron Thaxton (LSUA Executive Vice Chancellor for Administration & CFO), Matt Lee (LSU Interim President), Paul Coreil (LSUA Chancellor), Elizabeth Beard (LSUA Provost & Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs), Todd Woodward (LSU Vice President of Marketing & Communications), Ashley Arceneaux (LSU Chief of Staff)
CHANCELLOR PAUL COREIL, PH.D.
VICTORY ON ALL FRONTS
This year, LSUA is delivering huge victories for students, families, employers, and the region we proudly serve. From academic excellence and career readiness to community partnerships and championship performances, our university is advancing on every front.
Our 10-year reaffirmation of accreditation by SACSCOC proves the strength of our employees, academics, and student outcomes. Just as important, our Quality Enhancement Plan, “Command Your Career,” is deepening the connection between classroom learning and professional success. That focus keeps LSUA aligned with workforce needs while upholding the highest standards of quality.
We are also expanding academic pathways for tomorrow’s workforce. Beginning in the fall, LSUA will offer a minor and concentration in artificial intelligence for students across all majors, plus two new bachelor’s degrees: Disaster Preparedness & Response, B.S. and Cybersecurity Technology, B.S. These new programs will be offered on-campus and online, giving learners flexible routes into high-demand careers.
This past spring, we celebrated our largest graduating class ever, with 628 graduates. Our commencement included LSUA’s first professional aviation graduate and the inaugural cohort from our Interdisciplinary Pre-Professional program. During the ceremony, we were honored to have commencement speaker Thomas O. Ryder, a Louisiana native and accomplished publishing executive, encourage graduates to carry forward a clear set of rules for success.
Our Health Education Campus in downtown Alexandria is moving forward with strong community investment, including a $1.4 million commitment from Cleco to the LSUA Foundation that helped secure state support. The 70,000-square-foot facility will expand nursing and allied health training and help address more than 700 local healthcare vacancies by increasing our annual nursing graduates to about 250. It will also anchor a broader revitalization effort that strengthens access to health care, talent, and opportunity for central Louisiana.
Service and leadership remain in LSUA’s DNA. We inducted retired Major General Bennett C. Landreneau onto our Wall of Distinction for his lifetime of service to Louisiana and LSUA. And through a new partnership with U.S. Army Garrison Fort Polk, we are bringing affordable, high-quality courses to soldiers and families, scheduled around duty hours to support career advancement and workforce development across the region.
Thank you to our supporters, donors, alums, legislators, partners, and our amazing LSUA Foundation board. Your investment fuels scholarships, facilities, and programs that change lives. Together, we are building momentum that will carry LSUA and our communities forward.
Paul D. Coreil, Ph.D. LSUA Chancellor
LSUA Receives 10-Year Reaffirmation of
SACSCOC Accreditation
LSUA has earned a 10-year reaffirmation of accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), ensuring its continued recognition for academic quality and institutional effectiveness. The reaffirmation follows a three-year review process requiring compliance with more than 70 standards in areas such as governance, resource management, and educational programming.
A key element of the review was the university’s Quality Enhancement Plan, “Command Your Career,” which focuses on strengthening student career readiness through academic integration, mentorship, and expanded support services. LSUA secured reaffirmation without any required follow-up, demonstrating the university’s strong performance across all areas of review. An interim report in 2030 will outline progress on the Command Your Career initiative and its impact on student success. This milestone strengthens LSUA’s academic reputation while advancing its mission to prepare a skilled workforce.
Cleco Invests $1.4 Million in LSUA Health Education Campus
LSUA is moving forward with plans to establish a new Health Education Campus in downtown Alexandria, backed by major community support. The 70,000-square-foot facility will expand opportunities for nursing and allied health training, equipping students with access to advanced technology and modern learning environments. A $1.4 million contribution from Cleco to the LSUA Foundation helped secure state funding and underscored the importance of private partnerships in addressing workforce needs. Central Louisiana faces more than 700 vacancies for nurses and allied health professionals, a shortage LSUA aims to address by increasing its annual number of nursing graduates to about 250.
The Health Education Campus will serve as a hub for interdisciplinary learning while strengthening connections between LSUA, healthcare providers, and the broader community. Strategically located near regional hospitals and clinics, the center is part of a larger $43 million revitalization effort in downtown Alexandria. LSUA, the LSUA Foundation, and regional healthcare organizations acknowledge Cleco’s pivotal role in advancing the future of healthcare in central Louisiana.
Those interested in supporting LSUA may contribute to the LSUA Foundation by visiting www.lsuafoundation.org.
Eamon Halpin (LSUA Vice Provost & Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs)
L-R: Paul Coreil (LSUA Chancellor), Bill Fontenot (Cleco President & CEO), Kelly Pepper (LSUA Foundation President)
MEET TOMORROW'S HEALTHCARE LEADERS
The Interdisciplinary Pre-Professional (IPP) Program at LSUA is designed for students pursuing careers in medicine and other health professions. The program offers small, focused classes, personalized mentorship from experienced faculty, and opportunities for clinical exposure. The supportive community of like-minded peers and tailored academic preparation equips students with the skills and professional connections needed for success in medical school and beyond.
Mohammed Abdelsalem
Bachelor
of Science in Biology
My passion for medicine began in childhood. Growing up in a rural community with limited healthcare and few medical professionals, I saw people in need. This experience sparked my dedication to becoming someone who could help them and make a difference.
LSUA has provided everything I need for a successful journey into the medical field. The professors dedicated all of their time and effort to our success. The LSUA family, both faculty and students, has offered me extraordinary support and motivation to push beyond my limits. Opportunities such as research, job shadowing, teaching assistant roles, and specialized programs have ensured my success.
The most valuable aspect of the IPP was visiting medical schools where I could envision myself, ask questions, and improve my chances of acceptance. I am especially grateful for LSUA and the IPP’s arrangement with medical schools that guarantees students an interview, which can lead to acceptance.
I am eager to embrace the challenges of medical school that will shape me into an excellent physician. I look forward to advancing my education until I can return to communities like my hometown and become the doctor that people need.
Majed Zeibo
Bachelor
of Science in Biology
I first considered becoming a physician early in high school when I developed an interest in science. My decision to pursue medical school was confirmed during my undergraduate studies, when I began job shadowing in the emergency room. Seeing the professionalism of each physician was truly inspirational.
LSUA thoroughly prepared me for acceptance into medical school. If I had to highlight one standout aspect, it would be the approachability of the science professors. There was always an open-door policy, and knowing I could meet with professors at any time about any topic gave me the confidence and preparation needed for medical school.
What made the IPP especially helpful was being surrounded by likeminded students all working toward the same goal. Being part of a group with the same ambition and determination truly motivated me, especially knowing I would be in the program’s first graduating class.
Now, as I begin my medical school journey, I’m particularly excited about the anatomy labs. The human body has always fascinated me, and handson examination provides the most effective and engaging way to learn about it. I am grateful for the mentorship and guidance from my professors. LSUA has given me everything I need to succeed in this next chapter.
LSUA Celebrates Its Largest Class
Ever with 628 Spring Graduates
LSUA celebrated a major achievement at its 2025 spring commencement, awarding degrees to the largest graduating class in its history. A total of 628 students earned diplomas in the ceremony held at the Laborde Earls Coliseum, representing bachelor, associate, and post-baccalaureate degrees in more than 30 academic programs.
Among the class were Brett Chelette, the first graduate of LSUA’s professional aviation program, and Mohammed Abdelsalem and Majed Zeibo, the inaugural graduates of the Interdisciplinary Pre-Professional program in biology, a pathway to medical school. LSUA takes great pride in its graduates and eagerly anticipates their careers and contributions to the community.
Thomas O. Ryder, an accomplished publishing executive and entrepreneur with deep roots in Louisiana, delivered the commencement address, offering a poignant list of rules for future success. Ryder built a successful career at Time, Inc. and Xerox Education Publications, eventually becoming senior vice president at CBS Magazines and then president of American Express Publishing, all while writing extensively about food and wine in publications such as Travel & Leisure, Food & Wine, Reader's Digest, Barron's, Huffington Post, and The Daily Meal.
LSUA Launches New Degree Programs for Disaster Preparedness, Cybersecurity Technology, and Artificial Intelligence
LSUA is expanding its academic portfolio with new programs in Fall 2025 aimed at preparing students for high-demand and future-focused careers. The LSU Board of Supervisors approved the new Bachelor of Science in Disaster Preparedness & Response and the Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity Technology.
The disaster preparedness program will train students to plan for and manage emergencies, addressing a growing need as natural disasters increase in frequency and cost nationwide. The cybersecurity program expands LSUA’s offerings with a rigorous, industry-aligned curriculum that provides practical skills in secure programming, risk assessment, ethical hacking, and digital forensics, along with preparation for professional certifications. Both bachelor’s degrees will be available oncampus and online, offering flexible options for students, while advancing LSUA’s mission to meet critical workforce needs across Louisiana and beyond.
The university will also offer an Artificial Intelligence (AI) minor and concentration, open to students of any major seeking to build technical skills in data analysis, machine learning, and applied AI. The 18-credit program combines foundational knowledge with practical applications, equipping graduates to integrate AI tools across industries such as business, healthcare, and the sciences.
Thomas O. Ryder (Spring 2025 Commencement Speaker)
LSUA Honors Major General Bennett C. Landreneau on Newly Unveiled Wall of Distinction
LSUA honored Retired Major General Bennett C. Landreneau as the 2025 inductee into its newly established Wall of Distinction during a ceremony hosted by the Office of the Chancellor. The Wall of Distinction recognizes individuals whose professional excellence, service, and leadership have left a lasting mark on both LSUA and the central Louisiana community. Landreneau, who served as the 48th Adjutant General of the Louisiana National Guard from 1997 to 2015, guided thousands of service members through pivotal moments, including disaster response efforts during Hurricane Katrina and the Guard’s expanded role in the Global War on Terror. His military service earned him numerous awards and his induction into the Louisiana National Guard Hall of Fame.
Beyond his military career, Landreneau contributed more than three decades to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and cultivated a longstanding partnership between LSUA and the Guard that produced vital campus facilities and infrastructure improvements. The Wall of Distinction also commemorates earlier Distinguished Service Award recipients whose names were added during the ceremony.
Wall of Distinction Inductees
Roy O. Martin, Jr. (1994)
Virginia Martin Howard (1995)
Vinita Johnson Martin (1997)
Frances Davis Bolton (1998)
Scott O. Brame (1998)
Howard & Eloise Mulder (2000)
John W. “Jock” Scott (2003)
Charlie Dewitt (2003)
Joe McPherson (2003)
H. Rouse Caffey (2008)
R. Blake Chatelain (2010)
Michael L. Jenkins (2010)
Charles S. “Charlie” Weems, III (2013)
Robert Cavanaugh (2019)
Glenda Stock Smith (2021)
Roy O. Martin, III (2023)
Mary Boone Treuting (2024)
MG (R) Bennett Landreneau (2025)
LSUA Partners with U.S. Army Garrison Fort Polk to Expand Educational Opportunities for
Military Community
LSUA has entered into a formal agreement with the United States Army Garrison at Fort Polk to expand educational access for soldiers, families, retirees, and the surrounding community. The partnership establishes a framework for LSUA to bring affordable, high-quality academic programs directly to the installation, strengthening workforce readiness while supporting the unique needs of military personnel. Under the agreement, the Fort Polk Education Services Office will coordinate closely with LSUA to streamline tuition assistance and provide on-site facilities for faculty, staff, and classroom instruction.
Courses will be scheduled primarily during off-duty hours to accommodate soldiers and their families, with additional capacity available to the broader community when possible. The collaboration creates a convenient, tailored pathway to higher education aimed at enhancing workforce development in central Louisiana while honoring the service of military members. The initiative is expected to make Fort Polk a more attractive duty station by expanding resources for career advancement and long-term professional opportunities.
L-R: Col. Adam Barlow (Fort Polk Garrison Commander), Paul Coreil (LSUA Chancellor)
L-R: Paul Coreil (LSUA Chancellor), MG (R) Bennett Landreneau
LSUA Earns NAIA Champions of Character Gold Award for 2024-25
LSUA has earned the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Champions of Character Five-Star Gold Award for the 2024-25 academic year. This marks the program's second consecutive Gold distinction and fifth since 2018. The honor ranks LSUA among the top athletic departments nationally, with a perfect 100-point score in the NAIA's evaluation.
The NAIA assessment measures institutions across several categories: character training, conduct during competition, academic focus, character recognition, and character promotion. LSUA emphasizes the association's core values—integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership—which guide both athletic competition and academic performance.
LSUA's continued success stems from a culture of excellence that prepares student-athletes to compete honorably while excelling in the classroom and serving the community. The university's impressive student-athlete grade point averages and minimal ejections during competitions contributed to this top-tier recognition. LSUA joins 210 institutions nationwide recognized as Champions of Character Five-Star Award winners, retaining its position as a model program within the NAIA.
LSUA Softball Celebrates Seven LSWA Honorees and
The LSUA softball team celebrated a historic season, as seven Generals earned recognition from the Louisiana Sports Writers Association for their standout performances. Haley Primrose and Kaetlyn Dunbar led the way with First Team honors, while Madi Baker and Alyssa Soileau secured spots on the Second Team. Haley Fontenot, Kilee Moody, and Julia Kwakernaak rounded out the selections with Honorable Mention recognition. The accolades capped a season marked by consistency and talent across the roster, with each player making a distinct impact both offensively and defensively.
Two All-Americans
Baker and Kwakernaak added to the celebration by being named NAIA First Team All-Americans, cementing their place among the nation’s elite. Kwakernaak, in her debut season from The Hague, Netherlands, delivered one of the most dominant offensive campaigns in LSUA history, while Baker showcased reliability at the plate and behind it, earning Defensive Player of the Year honors in the Red River Athletic Conference. Together, the honorees displayed grit and determination that has elevated LSUA to a national presence in the NAIA. Their accomplishments demonstrate both individual excellence and the program's flourishing tradition of success.
LSUA Generals secured the Rotary Club of Alexandria, LA's Red River Rivalry for the second consecutive year.
L-R: #4 Alyssa Soileau, #7 Haley Primrose, #15 Kaetlyn Dunbar, #17 Haley Fontenot, #18 Julia Kwakernaak, #38 Madi Baker, #60 Kilee Moody
KASHIE NATT PLAYER OF THE YEAR
LSUA senior guard Kashie Natt capped his collegiate career with one of the highest honors in National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) basketball, being named the 2025 NAIA Player of the Year. The Rayville native also secured First Team All-American recognition for the second time, adding to an already decorated list of achievements. His stellar play helped guide the Generals to the Round of Eight in the NAIA Men’s Basketball National Championship, marking one of the program’s strongest postseason runs.
Natt’s final season was a showcase of dominance and consistency. He averaged a double-double with 20 points and more than 10.3 rebounds per game while leading LSUA in nearly every statistical category, including assists, steals, and free-throw shooting. His versatility allowed him to control games on both ends of the floor, and he finished among the nation’s leaders in scoring and rebounding across 237 NAIA teams. He delivered season-high performances in nearly every category, demonstrating an ability to take over when his team needed it most.
Natt was also named National Association of Basketball Coaches Player of the Year and earned All-American recognition for the second time from the organization. Over three seasons with the Generals, he amassed more than 1,400 points and 700 rebounds while starting 76 games. Twice honored as the RRAC Tournament MVP, he also collected conference player of the year and defensive player of the year accolades this season.
Natt’s combination of skill, leadership, and durability leaves him firmly established as one of the most accomplished players in LSUA basketball history. Following his graduation at the 2025 Spring commencement, Natt departs LSUA with a legacy built on more than just statistics and awards. His leadership, resilience, and talent for elevating his teammates' performance distinguish him as an exceptional athlete. Natt has established a benchmark for excellence that will influence the program for generations to come.
HAYWOOD BERKLEY JOINER, JR., ED.D. 1946-2025
The LSUA family mourns the passing of Haywood Berkley Joiner, Jr., Ed.D., an accomplished educator, leader, and advocate whose career transformed programs, institutions, and countless lives. Joiner’s work in healthcare and higher education spanned decades, marked by trailblazing achievements. His vision and dedication advanced opportunities for students in Allied Health and beyond, leaving an enduring imprint on every organization he served.
Joiner’s leadership was instrumental in the growth and development of academic and healthcare programs at LSUA, Southern University Shreveport, and St. Frances Cabrini Hospital. At LSUA, he served as Interim Chancellor, Dean of the College of Health and Human Services, and Chair of the Department of Allied Health, creating degree programs that expanded access to healthcare education and strengthened community partnerships. His remarkable service was recognized with induction into the Louisiana Justice Hall of Fame and the Rotary Club of Alexandria’s Service Above Self Award.
Joiner leaves behind a legacy of compassion and kindness that will inspire generations. His passion for learning, steadfast faith, and commitment to service uplifted all who knew him. LSUA will remember him not only for his professional achievements but also for his kindness, humility, and belief that...
“Whatever the mind can conceive, you can achieve if you believe.”
Julie Gill (LSUA Professor of Kinesiology, 2025 Bolton Award Recipient)
L-R: Paul Coreil (LSUA Chancellor), Madelyn A. (LSUA Ambassador), Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Roderick “Rico” Alvendia (LSU Board of Supervisors Member), Abbey Bain (LSUA Vice Chancellor for Enrollment & Student Engagement), Elizabeth Beard (LSUA Provost & Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs), Jadyn R. (LSUA Ambassador), Canaan H. (LSUA Ambassador)
L-R: David Saucier (LSUA Technovation Coordinator), Lavar Henderson (LSU Student Body President), Esperanza "Espe" Moran (LSU Board of Supervisors Member)