Written by Adam Lord
LSU System President Dr. Wade Rousse announced three finalists for the
position of Chancellor of Louisiana State University of Alexandria (LSUA), following a national
search to identify the university’s next leader.
“We’re hiring for excellence at LSU Alexandria, so it was exciting to see such a tremendous list
of applicants for the Chancellor’s position,” said LSU System President Wade Rousse. “The
finalists selected by the search committee should give this community extreme optimism that
LSUA’s best days are ahead.”
The selected finalists will visit campus next Thursday and Friday to participate in interviews
with the search committee and engage with faculty, staff, students, and community stakeholders.
Additional details regarding the campus interview schedule and opportunities for constituent
engagement will be shared in the coming days.
Meet the finalists:
Tammi Vacha-Haase serves as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at East Texas
A&M University, where she has led academic affairs since joining the institution in 2022. She
brings extensive experience in research, teaching, service, graduate education, and academic
leadership, having previously served as Dean of the Graduate College at Boise State University
and Associate Dean of the Graduate School at Colorado State University. Her background in
student success, faculty support, collaborative leadership, and psychology is supported by a
Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Texas A&M University, an M.S. from Arizona State
University-Tempe, and a B.S. from Arizona State University-Tempe.
Elizabeth Beard serves as LSUA’s Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, bringing
24 years of progressive leadership in faculty roles, academic administration, student success, accreditation, and institutional strategy. She previously served LSUA as Dean of the College of
Liberal Arts and Associate Professor of English, and has led major academic innovation and
growth initiatives, including workforce-aligned program expansion, curriculum-to-career
partnerships, LSU System pathways, and the development of LSUA’s Command Your Career
Quality Enhancement Plan. Deeply rooted in central Louisiana, she holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in
English from Louisiana State University and a B.A. in English and Secondary Education from
Spring Hill College.
Jeff Langston serves as LSUA’s first Vice Chancellor for Operations and Chief Operating
Officer, following his service as Dean of the College of Health and Human Services and Interim
Dean of the College of Business. He brings experience in higher education and extensive
leadership in healthcare, including his previous role as Vice President of Operations at Rapides
Regional Medical Center, where he led major patient experience, technology, and operational
initiatives. His background in crisis management, strategic planning, and organizational
leadership is supported by a B.S. in Radiologic Technology from the University of Louisiana
Monroe and both an MBA and MHA from LSU Shreveport. He is currently pursuing an Ed.D. in
Leadership Studies at LSU Shreveport.
The finalists have been selected to succeed Dr. Paul Coreil, who has served as Chancellor since
2019 and will retire effective July 1, 2026.
As LSUA prepares for new leadership, the university continues to build momentum. Enrollment
is growing. Academic programs are expanding in high-demand fields. Partnerships with
employers and healthcare providers are deepening. Faculty and staff remain committed to a
culture that places student success and public service at the center of the university’s mission.
The next Chancellor will step into an LSUA on the rise.