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 Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges 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 College offered the upper-level course work for select bachelor's degree programs on the LSUA campus through a program known as LSU Senior College. 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 appointment of Jeff Langston as the new Dean of the College of Health and Human Services.
With 19 years of healthcare administration experience, Langston brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to LSUA. Formerly the Vice President of Support Services at Rapides Regional Medical Center, Langston was honored with the 2022 Human Experience Guardian of Excellence Award for his outstanding contributions.
Langston's impressive career includes roles as the Administrative Director of Support Services and Director of Oncology at Rapides Regional Medical Center. Before that, he served as the Director of Outpatient Services at Christus Savoy Medical Center. An alumnus of the University of Louisiana Monroe, Langston furthered his education with post-baccalaureate studies in nuclear medicine technology at Chattanooga State Community College, followed by an MBA and a Master of Health Administration from LSUS.
“As a life-long resident of Central Louisiana, I have spent my career serving the community I love,” said Langston. “Transitioning into higher education [allows] me to serve in new ways, and I am excited about the possibilities. Having personally experienced the impact of shortages in trained professionals over the last few years give me a true understanding of how important this position is and the commitment required to be successful.”
"In his new role as Dean of the College of Health & Human Services, we have full confidence that Jeff Langston will exhibit exceptional leadership for LSUA's School of Nursing, Department of Allied Health, and School of Education - three pivotal pillars driving professional career development across the region,” affirmed LSUA Chancellor Paul Coreil. “Jeff arrives with a wealth of professional experience in healthcare administration and a proven track record in fostering strong corporate and business partnerships, which are instrumental to the growth of our new Health Education Campus in downtown Alexandria. We are indeed fortunate to have such a seasoned professional at the helm of three significant LSUA programs, all of which are grappling with critical workforce shortages."
LSUA, recognized as the fastest-growing undergraduate institution in Louisiana, has seen a surge in enrollment, with health professions constituting 30% of its graduates. The university's commitment to addressing the healthcare workforce needs of Central Louisiana is evident in the 80% increase in health profession graduates from 2017 to 2021. With census data revealing that 73% of LSUA's health graduates remain in-state a decade post-graduation, the university's impact on local healthcare is undeniable. Additionally, LSUA’s School of Education recently received a $1 million federal Community Grant to address teacher shortages plaguing K-12 school systems across the region. Likewise, their Center for the Advancement of Regional Educators (CARE) grant provides expanded recruiting and degree pathways for teacher certification.
Despite the rising demand for healthcare professionals, Central Louisiana continues to face a shortage. LSUA is at the forefront of addressing this challenge, with the full backing of local employers, city government, and the Central Louisiana Legislative Delegation. Under Langston's leadership, the College of Health and Human Services, encompassing the School of Nursing, the Department of Allied Health, and the School of Education, is poised to innovate and expand its programs. Recent partnerships with the LSU School of Dentistry and LSU of Eunice further underscore LSUA's commitment to healthcare and education in the region.
The LSUA community warmly welcomes Jeff Langston and looks forward to his visionary leadership in shaping the future of healthcare education and addressing the pressing needs of Central Louisiana.
Written by Adam Lord
Photo credit - Nathan Parish | 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 College 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 College 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 College, 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 College (Okla.), Huston-Tilloston University (Texas), Jarvis Christian College (Texas), Langston University (Okla.), LSU-Shreveport, Our Lady of the Lake University (Texas), Paul Quinn College (Texas), Texas College, University of St. Thomas (Texas), University of Texas-Brownsville, University of the Southwest (New Mexico) and Wiley College (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.