LSU Eunice Establishes New Colleges Focused On Health Sciences, Workforce Development and Applied Sciences

LSU Eunice's academic leadership team - Left to Right: Dean of College of Arts & Sciences Dr. Billy Fontenot, Dean of College of Health Sciences Kristie Broussard Leger, Chancellor Dr. Nancee Sorenson, Dean of College of Workforce Development and Applied Sciences Deshjuana Bagley, Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs & Provost Dr. Charles Stewart

EUNICE, La. -  Louisiana State University Eunice has announced the creation of the College of Workforce Development and Applied Sciences, the university's third academic college and a significant expansion of its role in preparing students for Louisiana's evolving workforce.

 

The new college joins LSU Eunice's longstanding College of Arts & Sciences and its newly separated College of Health Sciences. Together, the three-college structure gives greater focus to LSUE's academic, healthcare and workforce missions while positioning the university to respond more directly to the needs of students, employers and communities.

 

“The College of Workforce Development and Applied Sciences will help consolidate and strengthen our efforts to respond more quickly to employers, build new pathways into high-demand careers and expand opportunities for applied learning,” LSU Eunice Chancellor Dr. Nancee Sorenson said.  “This is more than an organizational change; it is a statement about the future of LSU Eunice as we continue to meet the demands of our students as well as local workforce partners.”

 

The college, led by newly hired Dean Deshjuana Bagley, will serve as a dedicated academic home for programs in high-demand and emerging fields. Current degree programs include Agriculture, Business, Computer Information Technology, Fire Emergency Services, and Criminal Justice. New focus areas include construction management and engineering technology, with the engineering technology degree covering advanced manufacturing and aerospace technology. Additional offerings will be developed as regional workforce needs evolve.

 

Dean Bagley will also lead the university’s pursuit in contract training, professional development, community education and industry-recognized credentials. These offerings will complement LSU Eunice's degree programs while providing flexible pathways for businesses, working adults and community members seeking to develop new skills.

 

The College of Arts & Sciences and Dean Dr. Billy Fontenot will continue serving as the foundation of LSU Eunice's academic offerings, providing associate degrees, general education coursework and transfer pathways across a broad range of disciplines.

 

The College of Health Sciences, led by Dean Kristie Broussard-Leger, brings LSU Eunice's healthcare programs together under a separate academic structure. The move recognizes the scope and continued growth of one of the university's strongest areas of academic and workforce impact while creating additional opportunities for collaboration with regional healthcare providers.

 

LSU Eunice's health sciences programs have demonstrated strong student outcomes and responsiveness to workforce demand. In July 2025, all 30 graduates of the Radiologic Technology program passed the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists national certification examination on their first attempt—the highest first-time pass rate in the program's history.

 

While the College of Health Sciences strengthens LSUE's established role in healthcare education, the new College of Workforce Development and Applied Sciences broadens the university's ability to support economic and workforce development across additional industries.

 

“This three-college structure allows us to organize our academic programs around clear areas of strength while maintaining the quality and student support expected from LSU Eunice,” LSU Eunice Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs and Provost Dr. Charles Stewart said.  “It gives our faculty greater opportunities to collaborate, develop innovative programs and create educational pathways that respond to the needs of both our students and the communities we serve.”

 

The announcement comes during a period of significant momentum for LSU Eunice. The university most recently set enrollment records for Fall 2025, Spring 2026, and the highest Summer 2026 enrollment in more than two decades. That growth has created new opportunities for LSU Eunice to expand its programs and strengthen its contributions to the region.

 

Through the new structure, LSU Eunice will continue providing accessible, high-quality education while building clearer connections among academic preparation, workforce training, employment and economic growth.