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 吃瓜直播s of the Southern Association of 吃瓜直播s 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 吃瓜直播 offered the upper-level course work for select bachelor's degree programs on the LSUA campus through a program known as LSU Senior 吃瓜直播. 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.
Alexandria, La., Jan. 28, 2020 鈥� Central Louisiana students are well represented when it comes to the state鈥檚 educational system鈥檚 supervisory boards. Ricky Brazzel, a senior at Louisiana State University of Alexandria, is the lone student representative on the LSU Board of Supervisors. Shanco Williams, a student at Central Louisiana Technical Community 吃瓜直播, is one of two student representatives on the Louisiana Community Technical 吃瓜直播 System Board of Supervisors. Each is also the Student Body President of their respective schools. This is the first time in two Central Louisiana students are serving on multiple Boards simultaneously.
鈥淚鈥檓 very proud of our students working in these university leadership roles,鈥� said Dr. Paul Coreil, Chancellor of LSUA. 鈥淐entral Louisiana is very fortunate to have them in these leadership positions.鈥�
CLTCC Chancellor Jimmy Sawtelle echoed Coreil鈥檚 comments. 鈥淚t鈥檚 rare to have one student representative at this level, but to have two students at the same time from Central Louisiana is incredible,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he opportunities they have had and the contacts they are making are phenomenal for them as student leaders, and the knowledge they have brought back has been of tremendous benefit to all the students at CLTCC and LSUA.鈥�
Brazzel and Williams just returned from a trip to Washington, D.C., where they joined other student body presidents from across the state Jan. 22-26 to meet with members of Louisiana鈥檚 congressional delegation in an event called 鈥淐OSBP (Louisiana Council of Student Body Presidents) Takes DC.鈥�
鈥淲e were able to meet with the congressional delegation to talk about policy, with a focus on higher education,鈥� Brazzel explained. 鈥淚t was amazing to go up there and have them listen.鈥�
One of the main pieces of legislation Brazzel was interested in is the 吃瓜直播 Transparency Act, a bill co-sponsored by Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy. The bill, which has attracted bi-partisan support with other chief co-sponsors of the bill including Massachusetts Democrat Elizabeth Warren, South Carolina Republican Tim Scott, and Rhode Island Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse, proposes to produce new data on program-level college student outcomes like graduate earnings and loan repayment.
鈥淭he idea is to allow students to see going in what income to expect,鈥� Brazzel said. 鈥淭hey want to prevent someone from going to school and paying tuition and getting a bunch of debt and then graduating and finding out there is no market for the job or that it doesn鈥檛 pay well.鈥�
In addition to the 吃瓜直播 Transparency Act legislation, Williams was eager to get an update on the First Step Act. The act, which was passed in 2018, requires the Attorney General to develop a risk and needs assessment system to be used by the Bureau of Prisons to assess the recidivism risk and criminogenic needs of all federal prisoners and to place prisoners in recidivism-reducing programs and productive activities to address their needs and reduce this risk.
鈥淚 got to speak with Congressman Ralph Abraham, and he was very candid,鈥� Williams said. 鈥淲hile the act has been approved, they are working to get the funding. That effort has been delayed by the impeachment hearings, so it may be next year before they can get the money for the program.鈥�
Williams said he was impressed with the Louisiana officials he met with. 鈥淚 was impressed by how passionate Rep. Abraham is about education,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e met with Congressman Garret Graves from District 6. He is very in-tune with climate issues. He was very informed about the Louisiana coastline issues. I think it鈥檚 important to protect that ecosystem.鈥�
One meeting that stood out to both Williams and Brazzel was the opportunity to meet with Congressman Steve Scalese. 鈥淚 was very impressed with him,鈥� Williams said. 鈥淭he man faced a violent and life-threatening attack yet he still wants to serve. As an Air Force veteran, I felt a tremendous amount of pride.鈥�
鈥淲e actually got to go on the House floor for the town hall with Scalese,鈥� Brazzel said. 鈥淭hat was really something special.鈥�
While they each come from very different backgrounds, Williams and Brazzel agreed having the opportunity to serve as student body president and the experiences they have had participating at the state and national level have been life changing. Williams, 44, served for 20 years in the U.S. Air Force and chose to attend CLTCC to earn an associate degree to become an architect. Brazzel is an Alexandria native who was home schooled. He plans to graduate in May with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in history from LSUA and then attend law school at LSU.
鈥淚 wish every student could experience this. This trip really solidified what I do and what it takes to be a good citizen,鈥� Williams said, adding he encourages everyone to become more engaged in their community and be an active voter. 鈥淚t鈥檚 important for citizens to understand the power of the vote.鈥�
Williams said he shared photos from many of the events on social media, which prompted a text message from a friend he hadn鈥檛 heard from in several years. 鈥淪he has three degrees, and she was saying she never got the kind of experience I got.鈥�
Brazzel noted it was his second time to make this trip to Washington as he is in his second term as SGA President at LSUA. 鈥淭his experience helps you grow as a leader and a student,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t helps give you a national perspective.鈥�
While both enjoyed the trip and the opportunity to meet with the state鈥檚 national political leaders, neither said they were willing to commit to a future career in politics just yet. 鈥淚 want to stay with architecture and design,鈥� Williams said, laughing at the thought of seeking political office. 鈥淚 want to be part of restoring historic areas, like the Garden District. But you know what they say, man plans and God smiles. You never know.鈥�
Brazzel said his current focus is on completing his degree but noted, 鈥淚鈥檓 definitely interested in public service. I love truly listening to the needs of others and then taking action. You have to be willing to do more than just talk about it.鈥�
Williams and Brazzel agreed it is crucial for students to get involved and make their voices heard. 鈥淵ou can shape your future,鈥� Brazzel said. 鈥淭he student voice is a powerful voice that needs to be heard.鈥�
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 吃瓜直播 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 吃瓜直播 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 吃瓜直播, 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 吃瓜直播 (Okla.), Huston-Tilloston University (Texas), Jarvis Christian 吃瓜直播 (Texas), Langston University (Okla.), LSU-Shreveport, Our Lady of the Lake University (Texas), Paul Quinn 吃瓜直播 (Texas), Texas 吃瓜直播, University of St. Thomas (Texas), University of Texas-Brownsville, University of the Southwest (New Mexico) and Wiley 吃瓜直播 (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.