For the first time in over a decade, Northwestern State University has reinstated a full-time dean to lead its Graduate School, naming a familiar and trusted face to guide the next era of advanced academic excellence.
Dr. Mary Edith Stacy will serve as dean of the Graduate School, where she will oversee admissions and enrollment for 25 graduate degree programs in nursing, allied health, education, art, languages, cultural studies, psychology, music, health and human performance, criminal justice, history, social sciences and computer information systems. Along with the Graduate Council she will also have oversight over graduate assistantships and guidance for thesis review, graduate research projects and approved field studies.
“With close to 33 years in higher education, it is a privilege to lead the Graduate School at Northwestern, where collaboration and innovation drive our community forward,” Stacy said.
“Throughout my journey across campus, I have engaged with various departments, collaborated on interdisciplinary projects and built strong relationships with students, faculty and staff. These experiences have equipped me with a comprehensive understanding of our institution’s strengths and areas for growth, enabling me to contribute effectively to the advancement of our graduate programs.”
Completion of a graduate degree, which includes master’s and doctoral degrees, is achieved after earning a four-year bachelor’s degree and requires advanced knowledge and expertise in a specific field. Master’s degrees require coursework, research and a thesis or capstone project. At NSU, the degree requires 30 semester hours of study/research with students maintaining a 3.0 or higher grade point average. Doctoral degrees have additional coursework and research requirements.
Northwestern State has not had a full-time Graduate School dean in many years since the position was absorbed by the Office of the Provost, the university’s chief academic officer, with an associate provost overseeing the Graduate School. The associate provost position was eliminated a decade ago, leaving NSU the only school in the University of Louisiana System without a full time Graduate School dean, according to Dr. Greg Handel, NSU’s executive vice president and provost.
Stacy has served as dean of the College of Business and Technology since 2022. She has been a member of the staff and faculty at Northwestern State since 1992, working in the Office of Financial Aid as coordinator of university scholarships from 1992 to 1998 and as director of auxiliary services from 1998 until 2003. From 2003 to 2011, she was director of enrollment management where she was responsible for NSU’s student recruitment and retention plan and future enrollment forecasting. She also served on faculty in the Department of Psychology and School of Business, teaching classes in business statistics and operations management. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degree at Northwestern State and a doctorate at Louisiana State University.
“I am pleased that Dr. Stacy has agreed to serve in this role and look forward to working with her in the transition along with the Graduate Council in order to train her in learning about the intricacies and unique elements of our outstanding Graduate programs,” Handel said. “I can’t think of anyone better than Dr. Stacy to serve in the role as we re-establish this deanship at Northwestern.”
The hiring is subject to approval by the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana system.
Dr. Curtis Penrod will continue to serve as director of the School of Business and Handel will maintain supervisory oversight for the College of Business and Technology for any Dean-related matters. A national search for a new dean will begin soon with the intent of making a selection this fall to be approved by the ULS Board of Supervisors.
NSU’s College of Business and Technology includes bachelor of science programs in accounting and business administration with concentrations in business analytics, e-sports management, entrepreneurship, finance, international business, management and marketing. The College also includes bachelor of science programs in computer information systems with concentrations in application development, core programming, cyber security, networking, system management and web development and a degree in hospitality management and tourism with concentrations in culinary arts, hospitality services, travel and tourism. The College offers a Master of Science in Computer Information Systems.
Stacy’s appointment reaffirms Northwestern State University’s commitment to academic innovation, research excellence and preparing graduate students to meet the evolving demands of today’s workforce. To explore NSU’s extensive graduate programs, visit www.nsula.edu/graduateschool. For more on the College of Business and Technology, visit www.nsula.edu/business.