FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 10, 2026
ALEXANDRIA, La. (UrbanCast: 7/11/2026) – LSU of Alexandria has announced the appointment of Nathan Sammons, Ph.D., as Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. As the university’s chief academic officer, Sammons will provide leadership for LSUA’s academic enterprise, overseeing academic programs, faculty development, accreditation, institutional effectiveness, and strategic initiatives that advance student success and academic excellence.
Sammons currently serves as Dean of LSUA’s College of Science, Technology, and Mathematics and Assistant Vice Chancellor for Engaged Teaching and Learning. During his tenure at LSUA, he has served as a faculty member, department chair, assistant vice chancellor, and dean, helping guide the university through a period of unprecedented enrollment growth, academic innovation, and national recognition. He has led the development of new academic programs in artificial intelligence, bioinformatics, information technology, cybersecurity, and healthcare while expanding professional school pathways, workforce partnerships, and innovative approaches to student success.
A recipient of LSUA’s Bolton Award for Teaching Excellence, the university’s highest faculty honor, and the Innovative Contributions to Online Learning Award, Sammons is the founder of the university’s Engaged Teaching and Learning framework, which integrates faculty development, experiential learning, career readiness, undergraduate research, and student success into a unified institutional strategy. His leadership has also helped establish the Center for Teaching Excellence, the Command Your Career initiative, the Center for Opportunity, Research, and Experiential Learning (CORE), Career Advisory Councils, and numerous academic innovations that have strengthened LSUA’s position as a leader in workforce-aligned education.
“Dr. Sammons has played an instrumental role in shaping the academic culture that has fueled LSUA’s remarkable growth,” said LSUA Chancellor Elizabeth Beard, Ph.D. “He understands our students, our faculty, and our mission. His vision for academic innovation, commitment to teaching excellence, and focus on workforce readiness make him exceptionally well prepared to lead Academic Affairs as LSUA continues building on its national momentum.”
Sammons said he is honored by the opportunity to serve the university in a broader academic leadership role and remains committed to building on the strong foundation established by LSUA’s faculty and staff.
“LSUA has never been content to prepare students for yesterday’s jobs,” Sammons said. “Our faculty continually challenge themselves to create new pathways, strengthen teaching, and respond to the changing needs of our students and our region. I look forward to working alongside our academic community as we continue building programs that are innovative, academically rigorous, and closely connected to the workforce and graduate opportunities our students deserve.”
In the months ahead, Sammons will work with faculty, deans, and university leadership to continue expanding workforce-aligned academic programs, strengthen faculty development and student success initiatives, and guide the implementation of innovative teaching and learning strategies across the university. His leadership will help advance LSUA’s next generation of academic programs while ensuring graduates are prepared to meet Louisiana’s evolving workforce needs and contribute to the continued growth of the region.
Written by Adam Lord
Photo credit – Nathan Parish
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