Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Advisory Council
During the 2018 legislative session, the legislature approved ACT 236 to establish an advisory council to focus on Louisiana’s four Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), both public and private.
In partnership with the Board Regents, the Council will focus on ways to strengthen the capacity of HBCUs to provide the highest quality education, increase opportunities for HBCUs to participate in and benefit from state programs, and ensure that Louisiana has the highest proportion of college graduates from HBCUs in the country. The council shall:
- Advise the commissioner of higher education regarding methods to enhance the capabilites of HBCUs,
- Strengthen the capacity of HBCUs to participate in federal and state programs,
- Strengthen the capacity of HBCUs to fully participate in Louisiana’s workforce and economic development activities.
Louisiana’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities
*click the logo to view the institutions’ website
Council Members
Senator Wesley Bishop, Chair, Senate President
Dr. Kim Hunter Reed, Vice Chair, Board of Regents
Dr. James Ammons, Southern University System
Senator Gerald Boudreaux, Senate Committee on Education
Secretary Ava Dejoie, Workforce Commission
Dr. Lisa Mims-Devezin, Southern University at New Orleans
Dr. Rodney Ellis, Southern University at Shreveport
Representative Randal L. Gaines, Black Caucus
Mr. Rick Gallot, Jr., Grambling State University
Representative Jeffery Hall, House Committee on Education
Dr. James Henderson, University of Louisiana System
Representative Patrick O. Jefferson, House Speaker
Dr. Walter M. Kimbrough, Dillard University
Ms. Mandi Mitchell, Economic Development
Mr. John Pierre, Southern University Law Center
Dr. Bobby Phills, Southern University Agricultural Research & Extension Center
Senator Edward Price, Black Caucus
Dr. Larissa Littleton-Steib, LA Community & Technical College System
Dr. Toya Barnes-Teamer, Urban League of Louisiana
Ms. Brianna Thomas, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
Dr. Lurie Thomason, Board of Elementary and Secondary Education
Dr. Reynold Verret, Xavier University
Ms. Stephanie L. Willis, American Civil Liberties Union of LA