Monique Cain Assumes Board Executive Directorship

“Go and Greaux.” Monique Fondren Cain has passed on those three simple words of advice to more than 200 students while in leadership positions and teaching at LSU. With a career spanning twenty-two years and several leadership positions, it’s one of her personal mottos, too.

Cain’s journey at LSU started in 1996 as an undergrad. A Chicago native, she moved to her mother’s home state for college. She fell in love with LSU and put down roots, earning her bachelor’s degree in information systems and decision sciences in 2000, a Master of Public Administration in 2005, and a doctoral degree in educational leadership in 2012. From there, she worked in leadership positions in student a airs and served as president of the LSU Black Faculty and Sta Caucus for two terms. She is now executive director for the LSU Board of Supervisors.

“The culmination of everything that I've done has led me to this place and to this position,” Cain said.

“We are delighted to welcome Monique Fondren Cain as executive director,” said Valencia Sarpy Jones, board chair. “As an alumna, she also brings more than twenty-two years of professional experience and perspective, which uniquely positions her to serve as the board’s liaison to the president and the University.”

As executive director, Cain serves as liaison between the O ce of the President and Board of Supervisors; facilitates and manages all board administrative duties, including modifications to board bylaws, regulations, and policies; manages and facilitates board meetings; plans and designs board-sponsored meetings and events; and spearheads organizational orientation and educational activities that enhance the board’s understanding of the University.

“From her work with the Black Faculty and Sta Caucus, the College of Human Sciences & Education, and Residential Life, Cain brings a wellrounded background into the position,” said Rémy Voisin Starns, who was board chair when Cain was hired. When she’s not fulfilling her duties as executive director, Cain can be found in the classroom. For the past five years, she’s served as an adjunct professor in the College of Human Sciences & Education, helping students understand student development theory and educational technology. In her educational technology administration class, she helps students create educational technology plans – and some of her students’ projects have been implemented in K-12 school systems. “I love working with things that are not esoteric, that are very tangible, and things that we can achieve,” Cain said. “I feel like I'm making a di erence – even though I’m not implementing these things but just showing people that you can.”

Cain said her own long-stretching success at LSU proves the caliber of education available, the opportunities for leadership, and the milestones a person can achieve within a community of people who care. She says she certainly couldn’t have predicted the trajectory of her career, but looking back – from serving as the first altar girl at her church to attending boarding school to taking on management opportunities – it makes sense that she’s where she is today.

“As you work your way through your journey, you have to enjoy where you are, and you have to find the flowers where you are,” Cain said. “And then, you just keep going. Sometimes you end up with a bunch of flowers, and you get to hand them on to someone and move on to the next thing. You keep going and greauxing.”