The annual Kemp Forum was held Tuesday morning, Jan. 28, 2025, at Louisiana State University in Shreveport (LSUS), where Chancellor Dr. Robert T. Smith delivered a comprehensive “State of the University” address in the University Center Auditorium. The event spotlighted LSUS’s continued growth, academic advancements, and commitment to affordability for students.
Dr. Smith announced that LSUS achieved a historic milestone, crossing 10,000 students in the spring of 2024 for the first time in the university’s history. This growth continued into the spring of 2025, with undergraduate enrollment up 4% year over year and graduate enrollment surging by 7%.
“In the fall, we were flirting with 11,000 students,” Dr. Smith said, emphasizing the university’s consistent upward trajectory. “Our enrollment is nationwide, with students from all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and even military stations in Europe, Asia, and the Americas.”
Dr. Smith also highlighted that a significant portion of LSUS students are first-generation college attendees, comprising 50% to 60% of the student body, depending on the semester. “Last year was a banner year, and we’re still growing,” he added.
A key theme of the address was LSUS’s commitment to keeping higher education accessible and affordable. Despite a state legislative bill allowing institutions to raise tuition for high-cost academic programs without legislative approval, LSUS opted not to increase tuition.
“We’re focused on growth, especially undergraduate and face-to-face programs,” Dr. Smith explained. “Raising tuition would be a disincentive to involvement.”
LSUS also saved students $4.3 million last year by utilizing open educational resources, which provide affordable or free textbook options. These measures align with the university’s mission to support student success and reduce financial barriers.
The chancellor outlined recent academic expansions, including the addition of two new master’s degrees—applied behavioral analysis and rehabilitation counseling—as well as a new teaching certificate. Dr. Smith also shared plans to enhance LSUS’s nursing programs.
“We’re gearing up for a longer-term process to add an RN to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program,” he said. This expansion would complement existing nursing tracks, including the licensed practical nurse certificate.
Dr. Smith also previewed plans to enhance student services. Beginning in March, LSUS will roll out virtual health care options for online and on-campus students. This initiative aims to provide convenient and accessible medical support for a growing and diverse student body.
In March, LSUS will welcome the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) for a critical reaccreditation visit. Dr. Smith emphasized the university’s commitment to meeting and exceeding accreditation standards.
The quality enhancement plan for the reaccreditation process, titled “Navigating Student Success: Charting a Course for Teaching Excellence,” focuses on improving student outcomes and faculty development. “This plan reflects our unwavering dedication to academic excellence and student achievement,” Dr. Smith noted.
As LSUS enters a new phase of growth and innovation, Chancellor Smith reaffirmed the university’s mission to provide high-quality, affordable education that meets the needs of its students both locally and globally. With record-breaking enrollment, new programs, and strategic initiatives on the horizon, LSUS continues to position itself as a leader in higher education in Louisiana and beyond.