Happy Father’s Day to all the Dads and father figures in our Northwestern family. I hope your weekend has been filled with joy, appreciation, and time spent with loved ones. From legislative wins to innovative programming and regional partnerships, this past week has been full of meaningful progress for Northwestern.

Partnership with Natchitoches Regional Medical Center
This past week, we renewed our partnership with Natchitoches Regional Medical Center (NRMC), reaffirming their role as a cornerstone provider of health services for NSU students. Through this collaboration and others, NRMC offers access to on-site care, telemedicine, emergency services, athletic healthcare, and clinical education support. Their continued investment in our campus community through student internships, athletic support, professorship funding, and a lead gift for our Sports Performance Center demonstrates their deep commitment to Northwestern and the region. We are grateful for their partnership and shared mission to improve health outcomes and educational access.

Flight Forward: NSU Launches Drone Innovation Showcase
On Wednesday morning, Northwestern took to the skies with Flight Forward, an exciting, hands-on showcase, spotlighting the university’s drone capabilities and expanding role in geospatial innovation. Hosted by the Office of Economic Development and Advancement, College of Arts & Sciences (School of Applied and Social Sciences & School of STEM), the event brought together industry professionals, municipal leaders, law enforcement, and curious community members to explore the growing impact of drone technology. From crime scene analysis and land surveys to precision agriculture and historic preservation, drones are revolutionizing how we work, and Northwestern is at the forefront of training, certification, and real-world application of drone technology.

Through Northwestern’s Advanced Remote & Geospatial Operations (ARGO) Lab and its undergraduate certificate in Remote Systems Science and Technology, the university is preparing students and professionals alike to use drone technology safely, legally, and effectively across disciplines. Faculty and partners emphasized the importance of collaboration, positioning NSU not only as a workforce pipeline but also as a problem-solving partner for the region. Special thanks to JD Cox, coordinator of NSU’s ARGO Lab, for his innovative, forward-thinking leadership that continues to put Northwestern on the map in geospatial technology and applied research.

Strategic Planning Team Meeting
On Wednesday afternoon, I met with the Strategic Planning Team to review the status of Assessment Cycle 2024–2025: Making a Difference. This marks the second comprehensive, data-informed evaluation of our five-year Strategic Plan 2023–2028: Providing Education of Enduring Value. The assessment process encompasses all six of the University’s Strategic Focus Areas: Student Experience, Academic Excellence, Market Responsiveness, Community Enrichment, Athletic Prominence, and Cultural Competency. The University is currently actively advancing 26 institutional objectives, supported by over 100 measurable metrics across 166 academic programs, administrative units, and core competency areas. These components form the foundation of our annual institutional effectiveness efforts. In addition, our Director of Institutional Effectiveness, Frank Hall, presented an update on preparations for the University’s Differentiated Review under the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) reaffirmation process. These efforts underscore our ongoing commitment to accreditation standards and continuous improvement.

2025 Regular Legislative Session Wrap-Up
The 2025 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature concluded on Thursday, and I am pleased to report several positive outcomes for Northwestern State University:

  • HB1 Appropriations: Includes a $2 million direct cash appropriation to NSU in support of military and first responder initiatives.
  • HB2 Capital Outlay: Allocates over $1 million in state general fund appropriations for planning efforts related to Warrington Hall and Innovation Park.
  • HB639 Gaming: Increases the online sports wagering tax to 21.5% and dedicates 25% of that revenue to collegiate athletics. NSU is projected to receive approximately $2 million annually as a result of said increase.
  • HB77 TOPS: Establishes the new TOPS “Excellence” award, providing a $12,000 annual scholarship for students who score a 31 or higher on the ACT.
  • HB279 Hazing Prevention: Requires all higher education student organizations to provide a minimum of two hours of annual hazing prevention training, up from the current one-hour requirement.

CONSAH Accolades
Northwestern has received $58,556 in continued funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration to support students in the Nurse Anesthetist Traineeship Program. These funds will help reduce financial barriers for students training in rural and underserved communities, expanding access to quality healthcare across Louisiana. We also extend congratulations to Dr. Aimee Badeaux, Dean of the College of Nursing and School of Allied Health, on her appointment as Chair of the State Organizational Development Committee for the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists. This prestigious, national appointment reflects her outstanding leadership and elevates Northwestern’s visibility within the healthcare community.

IBM All-Freshman Initiative
On Thursday, I participated in a call with NSU alumnus Monty Chicola and representatives from IBM to discuss our involvement in the All-Freshman Initiative. This new opportunity will provide Northwestern students with access to free IBM technology credentials, paid micro-internships, and mentorship through the IBM SkillsBuild platform. The platform offers courses in artificial intelligence, data science, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and information technology. The goal is to help students develop workforce-ready skills while continuing to thrive academically. I want to thank Monty for his steadfast support of NSU and his leadership in helping us build this partnership. We look forward to the opportunities this initiative will create for our students and the lasting impact it will have on their academic and professional journeys.

Spark in the Park
Earlier this month, the Office of Economic Development and Advancement launched the “Spark Behind the Park” speaking series, a regional outreach initiative designed to build awareness and excitement around the future LSMSA/NSU Innovation Park. This joint project will serve as a transformative hub, not just for our students, but for the broader region as well. The speaking series brings the vision of Innovation Park to civic and non-profit organizations across the area, highlighting the impact and opportunities ahead. Updates from the speaking series are documented on the NSU Office of Economic Development Facebook page.  Additionally, representatives from both institutions convened this week with the architectural team, officially kicking off the next phase of planning as momentum continues to build for this project.

Athletics Update
Our 2024-25 competitive year wrapped up sensationally last week at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon, as both of Northwestern’s qualifiers, senior Maygan Shaw, and freshman Ray Morris, earned second-team All-American honors in their specialties. They were among the 24 best performers in each event across NCAA Division I who qualified at regional competition to reach the national meet. The top 16 finishers last week were named All-Americans.

Maygan, a nursing major from Pineville and recently named Academic All-Southland, became the first woman in four decades of our track and field program to earn All-America honors in an individual running event. She finished 14th Thursday in the 400 meters with a 51.80 time, which qualifies her to compete in the USA Championships beginning July 31, back in Eugene, alongside Olympians and the rest of America’s best.

Roy, from Greenwood and Evangel Christian High School, is our first freshman to win track & field All-American honors since 2011. He placed 15th in Wednesday’s long jump competition with a leap of 24-7 ¾ feet. Going into the East regionals three weeks ago, he ranked 74th nationally, but made the most of his opportunities against top jumpers in Jacksonville and Eugene.

Northwestern has been well represented as the Southland Conference has been announcing All-Academic teams in spring sports – notably last week, when senior pole vaulter Madison Brown, a Natchitoches Central product and holder of an undergraduate degree from NSU, was voted SLC Indoor Track & Field Women’s Student-Athlete of the Year. She holds a 4.0 GPA, pursuing a master’s in health and human performance with a concentration in sport administration. Madison closed her career with a gold medal that helped us win another SLC Indoor team championship. She won two golds and two bronze medals (third place) at conference championships as a Northwestern athlete, and remains an exceptional leader in our program.

Congratulations to the student-athletes and their coaches for continuing our proud tradition of excellence in track and field.

On Thursday evening, AD Kevin Bostian and Coach Blaine McCorkle delivered an update on NSU Athletics to members of the Beacon Society. This engaged group of alumni and supporters continues to provide valuable insights that help guide our future. I am grateful for their ongoing involvement and passion for our mission.

Looking Ahead
NSU Summer Dinner Theatre will present I Love You to Death: A Speakeasy Mystery on June 17–21 and June 24–28 at The Venue on Front Street. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with dinner and the show beginning at 6 p.m. For tickets, click here.

Save the date for the 45th Annual Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival on Saturday, July 19, in Prather Coliseum. The festival will feature music, food, crafts, dance, and cultural demonstrations celebrating Louisiana’s folk traditions. Additional pre-festival events will take place throughout the region in the weeks leading up to the event. For details, click here.

Thank you for the work you do every day to move Northwestern forward. I look forward to building on this momentum in the weeks ahead as we prepare for an impactful fall semester.

Fork ‘Em Demons,

President James T. “Jimmy” Genovese
Northwestern State University