Crowley Chamber of Commerce members visit LSUE campus

The Crowley Chamber of Commerce looks forward to working with LSUE Chancellor Kimberly Russell, Amy Thibodeaux, president and CEO of the chamber, said.
“As one of the larger business organizations in Acadia Parish, we are happy to branch out and work with LSUE. The university is a financial and educational asset to the area. We look forward to working with the many brilliant students that come out of the university and go on to have a great career,” she said.
“We are also eager to hear Dr. Russel’s plans for the future. We value her experience, expertise and leadership.”
Russell spoke to chamber members Friday at the campus, and the chancellor gave them an overview of her first 60 days on the job, including accomplishments and plans for future of the campus.
“Enrollment is at about 2,500 students right now,” Russell said. “That is the lowest it has been in several decades. Low enrollment causes funding problems. This campus could host 5,000 students, which is a huge asset to the area.”
Russell said, “There are opportunities and challenges but I see the challenges as opportunities. This region is experiencing significant growth, and I am reaching out to other communities in the region.”
Russell said the university has already reached out to businesses and industries in several other communities in the region, including Lake Charles, Opelousas and Lafayette to find out the workforce needs in those areas. The chancellor has visited with staff at the Southwest Louisiana Entrepreneurial and Economic Development Center in Lake Charles, the Lafayette Economic Development Board, those in the gaming industry at Evangeline Downs in Opelousas and those with the Hazelwood Energy Hub expansion near Port Barre.
“We are trying to meet the needs of the region,” Russell added.
Closer to home, the chancellor said an expansion is planned for the school’s modular mathematics program, which helps ready students for college level math courses, and the university will launch 2 plus 2 programs in engineering and agriculture next year. Russell also hopes to expand workforce development in the nursing area and is considering adding an EMT program to the school’s curriculum.
She added, “There is a critical need in Louisiana for RNs and LPNs and other medical professionals.”
Next spring, the campus will host dual enrollment students from 12 different high schools, and Russell said the Department of Education is working to make Pell Grants available to low-income high school students who would like to take dual enrollment courses.