LIVING HERE 2021 19
HIGHER EDUCATION
Nicholls State is the region’s university
By Kezia Setyawan Staff Writer Under President Jay Clune, Nicholls State University in Thibodaux has several master plans underway to guide the future of the “college closest to the coast.” Task forces among faculty and administrators continue to work on an academic master plan. And the university released drafts of its first diversity and inclusion master plan as well as a 25-year campus master plan in 2019. Fall enrollment of 6,780 was up by 235 students from the last count as the university aims to boost its retention rate. Nicholls saw that fall figure grow for the fifth straight year. Nicholls was named last year as the top public regional university in Louisiana by U.S.News & World Report. It was dubbed a Hidden Gem of the Southeast by College Raptor, an online service that helps prospective
Nicholls State University graduates enter the John L. Guidry stadium for the morning of fall commencement in 2020. [BRAD WEIMER/CORRESPONDENT]
students choose a university. Despite a sharp decrease in state funding over the past decade, Nicholls has rebuilt its budget around
keeping its students and engaging with donors. Nicholls is one of nine schools that make up the University of Louisiana system. It offers bachelor’s degrees
in nursing, criminal justice, education, business administration and several other fields. The university also offers the only four-year culinary arts bachelor’s program in the state. For graduate students, Nicholls offers studies in education, biology, business and nursing. Non-degree programs are available, but former two-year programs the university once offered have either been canceled or transferred to L.E. Fletcher Technical Community College in Schriever. Nicholls was started in 1948 as the Francis T. Nicholls Junior College of LSU. In 1956, the state Legislature separated Nicholls from LSU, and May 1958 saw the institution grant its first degree. Full-time students from Louisiana can expect to pay about $3,949 per semester in tuition and fees for 12 credit hours. Out-of-state students pay about $4,500. For information, visit nicholls.edu or 1-877-NICHOLLS.
Fletcher college blends academics with job training By Kezia Setyawan Staff Writer L.E. Fletcher Technical Community College offers local students traditional university classes as well as several job-training options. Two years ago, the state school, along La. 311 near U.S. 90 in Schriever, unveiled a new program to prepare students for jobs in coastal restoration. And its 19-week program that trains electric line workers has led to jobs for every graduate who wanted one. The Institute of Coastal Studies offers new options for associate’s degrees, including geology, environmental science and drafting and design. The college offers a drone pilot certification program in the form of a multi-day workshop as more businesses start using the technology for data collection. Kristine Strickland, a former
Fletcher students pause from their work on Queen Bess Island in 2020. They are (from left) Pearl Sanchez, Hannah Lapeyrouse, Ignacia Brown, Jaqueline Richard, John Meyers, Keymiya Williams and Alexis Pradat. [FLETCHER TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE]
executive dean at Delgado Community College’s West Bank Campus in New Orleans, is entering her sixth year as Fletcher’s chancellor.
The school also partnered with a local food bank to add one on campus to assist students who may be struggling with money for meals.
Fletcher was founded in 1951 and is part of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System. The two-year college reported spring 2019-2020 enrollment at 2,200. Students at Fletcher can study oilfield technology, marine operations, medical programs, office systems and electrical and industrial technologies. All of the students in the school’s electrical-line worker training program have had jobs waiting for them after successfully completing the classes. Fletcher also offers dual enrollment for high school students looking to earn college credits. A 12to 15-hour course load for in-state students costs $2,089 per semester in tuition and fees. Out-of state students pay $3,767 for 12 credit hours. There is an additional $40 fee for students enrolling in online classes. For Information, visit fletcher.edu or call 448-7900.
