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.
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation is delighted to announce the distinguished recipients of The Angel Award® for 2023, a prestigious accolade recognizing exceptional individuals dedicated to enhancing the lives of Louisiana's children. In its 29th year, The Angel Award celebrates remarkable individuals who have made tangible and enduring contributions to improving outcomes for young people. These honorees exhibit unwavering commitment, even in the face of formidable challenges, to uplift children in the state.
Michael Tipton, President of the Blue Cross Foundation, expressed his admiration for the 10 outstanding individuals selected for the 2023 Angel Award. He stated, "The 2023 Angel Award recipients come from diverse backgrounds and engage in a wide range of community-driven initiatives, spanning healthcare, education, social services, civic education, and more. We are privileged to recognize this exceptional group of champions for children."
Penny Smith and Melva Terrell Villard, both residents of Alexandria, have earned this honor through their relentless advocacy on behalf of children with developmental and intellectual disabilities, including their own college-aged daughters. Their dedicated efforts and fundraising endeavors played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Special Program for the Enhancement of Resources and Opportunities for Students with Developmental Disabilities (SPERO) at Louisiana State University of Alexandria (LSUA). SPERO provides a unique higher education experience for young individuals who would otherwise be ineligible for college admission due to their disabilities.
The SPERO program is designed for individuals aged 18 to 28 who have identified intellectual or developmental disabilities. To qualify, applicants must have successfully completed high school with either a high school diploma, career diploma, or its equivalent and be ineligible for regular college admission.
Within the program, students engage in various activities, including auditing college-level courses, participating in specialized program classes focused on enhancing daily living skills, interpersonal skills, and employment skills, and actively participating in on-campus events and activities. Additionally, students receive vocational training, either on the LSUA campus or at approved off-campus venues. Upon program completion, each student receives a Certificate of Achievement and is provided with assistance in securing meaningful employment opportunities in the Central Louisiana area.
Penny Smith and Melva Terrell Villard's unwavering commitment to advocating for children with disabilities has not only transformed lives but has also enriched the LSUA community and the broader Central Louisiana region. Their recognition with The Angel Award highlights their exceptional dedication and the positive impact they have had on the future of young individuals with developmental disabilities.
Written by Adam Lord | LSUA Strategic Communications
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.