BATON ROUGE, La. — Southern University has revived its stalled search for a new leader.
The Advocate reports officials expressed optimism at the new search committee’s first meeting: They will find the right leader, despite the financial struggles the historically Black university system has faced in recent years. They are looking for someone to serve as president and chancellor, now that the board has merged the jobs.
“There’s no lack of interest,” search committee chairman Albert Sam said in a recent meeting. “This is a historic position for Southern University.”
If the applications received before the earlier search was placed on hold are an indicator, he could be right.
Over the short span since the initial fast-tracked process began, several more people have voiced interest in leading Southern University. The Advocate obtained nominations and applications through an open records request.
They include sitting and former university administrators, business leaders and others. Victor Ukpolo, the chancellor of Southern University New Orleans, also expressed interest in the job.
The SU system oversees campuses in Baton Rouge, Shreveport and New Orleans, in addition to a law school and agriculture center.
