About the Office

The Office of Academic Affairs supports the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs in ensuring university excellence in learning, discovery, engagement, and diversity. We work closely with the faculty senate and the president to advance LSUA using a shared governance model. We also make communication and transparency a hallmark of the office. Lastly, the essence of our academic core--our faculty and staff--are preeminent in everything we do. In fulfilling our mission, the office: 

  • coordinates academic programs, planning and review;
  • facilitates talent recruitment, development and retention;
  • assists with prioritizing the use and renovation of academic space;
  • advances and coordinates institutional diversity efforts and;
  • determines the strategic direction and allocation of university resources.

Diversity Statement

Diversity is a core principle of LSUA's mission, and the University is dedicated to creating and maintaining a living and learning environment that values and embraces individual differences. Cultural inclusion is a top priority.

LSUA recognizes that achieving national distinction is made possible through the contributions, engagement, and dedicated efforts of all members of the University community. Flagship: 2020 will be realized by uniting the diverse ideas, perspectives, skills, and talents of the nation's leading scholars, brightest students, and top higher education professionals.

Through its Commitment to Community, LSUA seeks to foster an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually stimulating environment that celebrates diversity in race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, religion, socio-economic status, disability, family status, life experiences, opinions, and ideas.

LSUA actively promotes and sustains a campus culture that values open dialogue, collaboration, shared responsibility, mutual respect, and cultural competence—values that enrich and enhance cutting-edge research, exceptional teaching, and meaningful community outreach.

Meet the Team

Liz Beard
Elizabeth M. Beard Ph.D.
Provost & Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Professor of English
(318) 427-4460
ebeard@lsua.edu
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Elizabeth Milton Beard is Dean of the College of Liberal Arts at LSUA. A proud central Louisiana native, Dr. Beard has been on the English faculty at LSUA since 2005. She graduated from Rapides High School (class of ’92); earned her BA in English, Secondary Education from Spring Hill College; and completed her MA and PhD in English at LSU Baton Rouge. Dr. Beard was the founding coordinator of the LSUA Writing Center, a Louisiana Writing Project teacher consultant, and is the current holder of the Richard Bryan Gwartney Endowed Professorship in the Liberal Arts. Her areas of research and teaching include writing pedagogy and regional literature. Dr. Beard serves on the LSUA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leadership Team, the Alexandria Museum of Art Board of Directors, and the Generals Athletic Association Board.

Eamon Haplin
Dr. Eamon Halpin
Associate Vice Chancellor and Vice Provost for Academic Affairs
(318) 767-2603
ehalpin@lsua.edu
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Prior to his new appointment, he served as Interim Provost and Vice Chancellor for the Office of Academic Affairs in January 2018.In August 2017, Dr. Halpin was appointed Vice Provost and Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and has been working for several months on program development and related academic projects on behalf of the university.  He is also LSUA’s SACSCOC liaison and played a key role in writing the university’s 2015 Reaffirmation report.

Dr. Halpin earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and Greek and Roman Civilization (1987) and a Master of Arts in Modern English and American Literature (1988) from University College Dublin, Ireland. He enrolled in LSU’s graduate program in English in 1989 and received his Ph.D. in English in 1995. 

Dr. Halpin began work as a faculty member in English at LSUA in August 1994 and currently holds the rank of Professor.

In addition, he has served in a variety of administrative positions at the university. From 2006-2007 he was Interim Chair of the Department of Arts, English and Humanities. In 2007 he was appointed Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs; in that role he oversaw academic advising for new students, counseling and testing services, and student life. He says that those years were among the most satisfying of his career, and that he thoroughly enjoying working with and helping students.

LaMona Wallace 240
LaMona Wallace
Administrative Assistant V - Academic Affairs
318-473-6446
ljames@lsua.edu
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Palmer
Mary Palmer Ph.D
Assistant Vice Chancellor for Holistic Education and Career Development
(318) 473-6561
careerdevelopment@lsua.edu
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Nate Sammons
Nathan Sammons Ph.D.
Dean and Professor, College of STEM
318-473-6416
nsammons@lsua.edu
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Cynthia Thomas
Cynthia Thomas Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Psychology - Provost Fellow
318-427-4481
cthomas@lsua.edu
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Cynthia Thomas, PhD is an Associate Professor of Psychology and Provost Fellow here at LSUA. She earned her PhD in Personality Psychology and Developmental Psychology from Howard University, a M. Ed. in Guidance and Counseling Psychology from Bowie State University, and a BS in Psychology from Southern University. She serves the LSUA community by actively participating on several Senate committees, Chancellors Committees, championing suicide prevention and mental health wellness with our students. Dr. Thomas is the 2021- 2022 Bolton Teaching Excellence Award winner. 

Brittany Soden
Brittany Soden
Director of SPERO
(318) 427-4475
bsoden@lsua.edu
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