To:                        CSU Family

From:                   Chancellor Timothy P. White

Re:                        New Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs

I am pleased to share the news that I intend to name Loren Blanchard, Ph.D., as Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs. After Board of Trustees approval, Loren will join us in July 2015.

A veteran higher education system and campus administrator, Loren currently serves as the provost and senior vice president of Academic Affairs at Xavier University of Louisiana, his alma mater. Loren is an innovative academic leader known for developing model student affairs programs that bolster graduation rates. He is respected for his collaborative leadership style and commitment to faculty and student success, and brings substantive system-based and campus-based experience to the CSU.

In his position, Loren will develop and oversee educational policy for the 23 campuses, advise the Board of Trustees, guide and support the campus presidents and provosts on curricula and program design, and serve on my executive team. His appointment will be brought before the Board of Trustees at the January 2015 meeting. 

Loren has an international reputation for student success. Prior to his current tenure at Xavier, he served as the Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic and Multicultural Affairs at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center and a Professor at its School of Allied Health. He has served as Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs as well as Vice President for Accreditation, Leadership and Accountability at the University of Louisiana System. Attached is a copy of the press release that details more of his accomplishments.

As we plan for Loren’s arrival, I would like to thank Dr. Ephraim Smith for his outstanding leadership. Ephraim has been a stalwart champion for students and faculty. He has successfully led some of the CSU’s most important initiatives including improving graduation rates, bolstering student success and achievement, and supporting the faculty’s innovative teaching, research and scholarship. Ephraim is a wise and reputable advisor and an outstanding collaborator who has worked alongside me in advancing the CSU’s mission and keeping us on a steady course.

Please join me in welcoming Loren and thanking Ephraim.

Sincerely,

Timothy P. White

Chancellor