Louisiana State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley is stepping into a new leadership role after being unanimously appointed Friday as the next president of the University of Louisiana System.
The appointment came during a special meeting of the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors following the resignation of current President Rick Gallot. Gallot submitted a letter of resignation effective Dec. 1, which the board approved before voting unanimously to appoint Brumley to lead the system.
The leadership change moves Brumley from overseeing Louisiana’s K-12 public education system to leading one of the state’s largest public higher education networks.
“His extensive experience in education and commitment to student success will be valuable as we continue advancing the mission of the University of Louisiana System,” Board Chair Mark Romero said in a statement following the appointment.
Brumley has served as Louisiana’s state superintendent of education since June 2020. His career in education began in the classroom and included work as a teacher, coach, school administrator and district superintendent.
Before taking the state’s top education position, Brumley led DeSoto Parish Schools and later Jefferson Parish Public Schools, Louisiana’s largest school district. He is a Louisiana native and graduate of Northwestern State University. He also earned a master’s degree from LSU Shreveport and a doctorate in educational leadership from Stephen F. Austin State University.
During his time as state superintendent, Brumley promoted a back-to-basics approach to education, with an emphasis on literacy, mathematics, teacher support and student achievement.
The Louisiana Department of Education has highlighted improvements in the state’s national academic rankings during his tenure. Louisiana reached its highest-ever overall ranking on the National Assessment of Educational Progress, commonly known as the Nation’s Report Card, moving to 32nd nationally from 49th in 2019, according to the department.
Brumley also led statewide efforts involving early literacy instruction, expanded tutoring, career and technical education pathways, and the Let Teachers Teach initiative, which was developed around feedback from educators.
The University of Louisiana System oversees public universities across the state, including Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Grambling State University, McNeese State University, Nicholls 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 plays an important role in preparing students for careers, supporting regional workforce needs and providing higher education opportunities throughout Louisiana.
Brumley’s appointment comes as Louisiana continues to face important questions about the future of public education, workforce development and higher education. His move to the university system will place him in a position to work with university leaders across the state.
The board’s announcement did not specify when Brumley will officially leave the state superintendent position or who will succeed him at the Louisiana Department of Education.