LSUS continues to grow as it welcomes back faculty for fall semester

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LSUS continues to grow as it welcomes back faculty for fall semester

SHREVEPORT - When LSU Shreveport faculty and staff piled into the University Ballroom for Campus Kickoff, an event where folks get up to speed on the trajectory of the university, the school's growth was evident.

Chancellor Robert Smith addressed the standing-room-only crowd as he supplied evidence to support the growth that was undeniable from the full room.

While headcount enrollment numbers for the fall semester won't be finalized until after the second fall session starts in October, Smith said total credit hours are on a steep incline.

LSUS students are enrolled in more credit hours - a 20 percent increase for undergraduate students and a 16 percent spike for graduate students.

"As colleges across the country are cutting programs, laying off faculty and staff and discussing offering retirement incentives, we're in a really good place," Smith said. "We've been on a long trajectory of growth and significant change, and that's because we aren't stuck in what some past image of higher education was.

"We have faculty and staff that have embraced new ways of reaching and connecting to our students, which means more students are making LSUS their home."

One of fasting growing colleges in the country

LSUS is the third-fastest growing regional public comprehensive university in the country, according to rankings by the Education Advisory Board.

The University's 2025 Fall enrollment of 11,359 has nearly tripled since 2008 (3,960).

It's also the fastest growing university in Louisiana over the past 10 years, awarding more graduate degrees than any other school and the second-most overall degrees.

Enrollment numbers tend to grab headlines, but total student credit hours build budgets.

LSUS's annual budget crossed $100 million for the first time this past year and is continuing to grow as students are choosing degree programs that are in high demand by employers but at an affordable price.

"Our budget is rock solid," Smith said. "It's been going in a positive direction, and we expect it to continue that way.

"Another positive is that the state's funding formula recognized the value in Louisiana students who are enrolled in our online courses, and we received an additional $3.2 million this year from that."

Historically high retention rates resulted from redesigning student supports

Sharply rising retention rates are a large piece of the increase in total student credit hours.

LSUS's robust student success initiatives put in place over the past five years are bearing fruit, particularly as the school's sizable first-generation and Pell-eligible student populations are persisting toward their degrees at higher rates.

"Our retention rates have historically been around 61-65 percent, but we've completely redesigned how students experience their first two years here, which includes increased check-ins and supports" said Dr. Helen Wise, associate vice chancellor. "Our most recent retention data shows 72 percent of students are returning for their second year and 65 percent are still enrolled in their third year, the latter of which is increase of about 20 percentage points.

"What's even more impressive is that our first-generation and our Pell-eligible students are persisting toward degrees at the same or higher rates than the overall body. The entire university has worked really hard to close that equity gap."

Two mathematics faculty Melinda Cassel and Rogers Martin received the Chancellor's Spirit of LSUS Award in part because of their work in course redesign and high-impact teaching practices.

More students = more faculty

When students are taking more credit hours, a university needs more faculty to teach those classes.

LSUS welcomed 29 new faculty members, some of which filled vacancies and others who are taking on newly created positions.

Two notable newly created positions are professionals in residence for nursing and social work.

LSUS is in the process of developing those programs to meet local and regional workforce demand.

The University does currently offer a Licensed Practical Nursing program (LPN) but is working toward adding a bachelor's nursing program.

Other degree programs in approval process

LSUS is in the process of receiving Louisiana Board of Regents approval for programs in biotechnology and data science, which the LSU Board of Supervisors approved earlier this year.

A bachelor's in health administration has already passed all approval stages and is in the process of being implemented.

"Pardon Our Progress"

It's a simple sign that Teresa Kinsey, assistant director of project management, held up to convey the multitude of construction and renovation projects on campus.

The largest one is a driving bridge from Pilot Pointe Apartments to the heart of campus, which should be completed in early 2027.

The PPA is 100 percent full for the first time since LSUS took ownership of the property, a result of multiple years of investment and renovation to modernize the on-campus living experience.

While PPA is the only on-campus housing available, LSUS is planning two residence halls on campus, which would be the first in the school's history. Those plans remain in the early stages.

Other ongoing projects include a new digital sign at the East Kings entrance to campus, new banners across campus, and a partial roof replace on the Business and Education building.

Initial government investment has been made in The Hub, a student health and wellness facility that will be in the Health and Physical Education building. The university has $1.5 million in hand with the rest of the $10 million pledged in future legislative sessions.

The university continues to renovate its science labs, some of which were native to the 1967 founding of the school.

LSUS received $295,000 for science lab renovations with a larger $880,000 federal grant pending before the U.S. Senate.

Another $500,000 was approved to start upgrading the campus electric grid.