Setting the Stage for Success

Written by Betsy O'Leary | Photos by Johnny Chauvin

The new president of Southeastern Louisiana University, Dr. William Wainwright, is no stranger to higher education on the Northshore. Before being appointed Southeastern’s 15th president by the Board of Supervisors of the University of Louisiana System, he spent nearly a quarter century as a higher education administrator. His most recent stint prior to this appointment was as Chancellor at Northshore Technical Community College (NTCC).

He believes in casting a wide net into the small rural communities dotting the landscape of southeast Louisiana. He’s talked to alumni from the Bogalusa area who told him that back in the 70s, they were only able to attend the university because of the bus that ferried students daily back and forth from St. Tammany and Washington Parishes.

To Wainwright, stories like that stress the importance of the institution to many residents in Louisiana’s rural communities. Both the current superintendent of the St. Helena Parish School District and the superintendent of the Bogalusa City School District are Southeastern alumni, which is indicative of the university’s connectivity to the surrounding parishes.

Collaboration, Engagement Strengthen Ties

Wainwright also chairs the St. Tammany Corporation’s Board of Commissioners. He’s excited by how these endeavors solidify the regional touch, like the recent NSpire Startup Slam that took place at Hammond’s Columbia Theatre and was sponsored in part by STartUP Northshore. That opportunity gave regional entrepreneurs the chance to pitch their products to a panel of judges.

Wainwright stressed how business alumni seek further opportunities to engage with graduates who choose to remain in the area. One of his goals as university president is to broaden the outreach and discover new people and talents in the region. He also loves to hear stories from alumni, from how-they-met anecdotes to the way community mentors and faculty impacted the grads’ career trajectories and the long-term relationships that developed from these university ties.

Building a Culture of Future Forward

Wainwright’s guiding mantra is “future forward” as he continues to build from established culture. He wants Southeastern to be on the cutting edge, ensuring the needs of present students are satisfied while still planning for the future of the university.

He cites two examples of future forward manifesting now — the groundbreaking renovation of D. Vickers Hall and the future Robin Roberts Broadcast Media Center. Both future-focused activities and investments will prepare graduates with programs in strategic communication. Wainwright noted the significant interest from industries to support investments in essential and dynamic communication, including the potential pros and cons of AI as it rapidly evolves.

Dr. Wainwright and his wife, Misty, are committed to making Southeastern a globally competitive portal that provides students with state-of-the-art, nationally ranked programs serving the region, state, nation and world.