Bossier Chamber’s Hemingway tapped as inaugural director
SHREVEPORT – While LSU in Shreveport is connected to the region through its various entities, the University aims to broaden and formalize those partnerships through the creation of a new Center for Northwest Louisiana Regional Impact.
Chancellor Dr. Robert Smith announced the formation of the center Wednesday.
“We want to serve our community in an even more comprehensive way by connecting the needs of business, industry, government, and others to the expertise of our faculty and students,” Smith said. “This center will develop, lead, and coordinate a range of projects and initiatives enhancing the University’s partnerships with the community.
“We hope to further enhance economic development in Northwest Louisiana through joint research efforts and partnerships.”
Jessica Hemingway, the vice president of communications and public policy for the Bossier Chamber of Commerce, has been hired as the center’s inaugural director.
In her 10 years at the Chamber and in previous leadership roles in Shreveport nonprofits, Hemingway has developed a multitude of relationships on both sides of the Red River.
“LSUS has a lot of assets that will coalesce to make the center a known entity,” Hemingway said. “From the work in places like the Institute of Nonprofit Research and Administration (INAR) and the Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER), LSUS is already doing great things in the community.
“I’m excited about utilizing my relationships and experience to help LSUS make an even larger footprint in the region. This is a great opportunity to work with partners I’ve worked with before to effect change as it relates to the future workforce and the future of the region overall.”
Hemingway brings an extensive background in community development and communication from experience at the Bossier Chamber, the Community Development Institute Central in Louisiana, the Noel Community Arts Program and The Providence House.
“This role will allow me mix all of those experiences together, and it marries very well with the goals and expectations not only for LSUS but the community as a whole,” Hemingway said.
As the director, Hemingway will serve as a connector between the university and business, industry, government, and nonprofit organizations.
The Center aspires to help formulate solutions to community problems through expertise already housed at LSUS.
LSUS boasts entities such as the Collaboratory, Office of Community Engagement, Human Performance Lab, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Lab, the Security Operations Center, the Pilot Education Center, and the Business Engagement Center just to name a few.
Creating recurring internships for LSUS students in regional industry is another Center goal.
Recent examples of LSUS students participating in meaningful projects include computer science students creating an AI-powered weather app for the Air Force and designing and implementing software applications to assist with BENTELER Steel’s factory expansion.
“To have recurring internships or jobs – something tangible that students can work toward and look forward to, are high on our priority list,” Hemingway said. “Creating long-lasting connections between LSUS and businesses for the benefit of our students is really important.”