LSUA chancellor stepping down

G. Daniel “Dan” Howard will step down from his position as chancellor of Louisiana State University of Alexandria at the end of August, the university announced Monday.

Howard came to LSUA in 2014 after a national search for a chancellor who would be able to grow enrollment at the small four-year school in Alexandria. His career in education spans 44 years as both a faculty member and as a senior administrator.

Howard told The Town Talk on Monday that he will be going "back home" to Florence, Alabama, to check in with old friends and family, catch up on some reading and continue philanthropic efforts. While he did not call it a retirement, he said it will be "a step that way."

"I am likely to do some consulting or some work as long as I'm able," he said. "I love (education)."

No details have been released yet about the process to replace him. He was chosen in January 2014 after a committee-led search that whittled the field to three finalists for on-campus interviews. Howard was approved by the LSU Board of Supervisors. He came from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Ark., where he was a tenured full professor and had served as its vice chancellor for academic affairs, provost and interim chancellor.

"I feel like I've helped to reestablish the foundation of this wonderful university and help a lot of kids," Howard said.

Last fall's enrollment numbers were the highest in school history and exceeded a mark set when Howard came on board as chancellor. Howard said the "takeaway" two years ago from his interview with LSU leadership was a charge to raise enrollment to 3,000 students by 2020. The school had 3,104 enrolled last fall, achieving the goal years ahead of schedule. The previous largest enrollment at LSUA was 3,093 in 2002.

One reason behind the growth has been an intense push for dual enrollment, which allows high school students to take college courses from and even at LSUA. The college has agreements with several parishes, including Rapides and Avoyelles, and now has a high school on campus with the University Academy of Central Louisiana, which opened its doors August 2014.

The total fall 2015 enrollment figure included dual enrollment students and represented a nearly 15 percent increase over fall 2014 and 39-percent over fall 2013. Without dual enrollment, LSUA had 2,551 traditional students last fall, up from 2,285 a year ago. The school also reported increases in credit hours, first-time freshmen, transfer students, international students and athletes.

“I am proud of the work we have done at LSUA, and we would not have had such tremendous successes without the dedication and support of our faculty, staff and students,” Howard said Monday in a statement. “The entire Alexandria community has been incredibly supportive of our university, and I am honored to have been a part of this exceptional team.”

Howard began serving as chancellor of LSUA on March 1, 2014, when student enrollment was at a 25-year-low and the university faced many financial challenges, according to a school release.

During his tenure, student enrollment has increased significantly, residence halls have been filled, a strategic approach to enrollment management and student success has been implemented, and the university’s general business model has drastically improved. The university reports many record broke this year alone, including:

• Highest enrollment in baccalaureate programs;
• Highest number of dual enrollment students;
• Most diverse student body on record;
• Largest number of students living on-campus; and
• The largest enrollment in online programs.

“Chancellor Howard’s impact on LSUA cannot be overstated,” said LSU President F. King Alexander. “His transformative leadership has improved the educational experience of every student enrolled at the university, and has made LSUA a better place to learn, work, and live. I wish him the best of luck in the future."