Grambling State University can expect a first-time visit from the president of the University of Louisiana System, Sandra K. Woodley, on February 5. Her visit to Grambling is part of a UL System campus tour to meet university presidents, faculty, leadership teams and students between January 18 to February 20. Woodley will visit the University of Louisiana the day before (Feb. 4) and Louisiana Tech the day after (Feb. 6).
“My goal is to get a better view of each institution as a whole; the issues they are facing and what each campus is most proud of,” Woodley said in a telephone interview. Woodley said when visiting Grambling State and the other campuses her primary goal is to listen and learn from university faculty as well as students. At Grambling, she has a special focus. “It’s important that historical black colleges stay strong and that we help cultivate African American talent,” said Woodley.
Although Woodley has never been to Grambling, she said she is well acquainted with President Frank G. Pogue and his university administration. Woodley was a guest of the president’s at the Superdome in New Orleans during the Bayou Classic in November. “I invited Dr. Woodley to join us during the Bayou Classic and without hesitation she said she would,” said Pogue. “She didn’t even know the date. That showed me how important it was to get to know our campus as soon as possible.”
“Having served as a system vice chancellor for 10 years, I know how important it is for a new system president to tour all campuses,” added Pogue. “It’s tremendous for a busy leader to make time to visit each campus. That says a lot about her leadership, and what’s important. I’m certain she’ll enjoy her time with us. We’ve got a lot of things planned for our part of her northern Louisiana visit.”
Pogue is working with his vice presidents and staff to develop a schedule, which will be tight as he makes sure she sees the campus, spends time with key administrators and spends time with students. Jackie Tisdell, an assistant vice president for communications with the UL System, and system board members in the areas will accompany Woodley during the campus visits.
As president of the UL System, Woodley is in charge of governing nine universities — Grambling State University, Louisiana Tech University, McNeese State University, Nicholls State University, Northwestern State University, Southeastern Louisiana University, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, the University of Louisiana at Monroe and the University of New Orleans. The system student population is more than 92,000.