As we move further into the spring semester, I continue to be encouraged by the energy across our campuses and the steady progress we are making in key areas of our strategic plan. Thank you for your continued dedication to our students and to the mission of Northwestern State University.

Demons on the Road

This week, I joined alumni, friends, athletic supporters, prospective students, and parents for Demons on the Road tour stops in the Ruston and Monroe area on Monday and in the Shreveport and Bossier area on Tuesday. Each event drew an outstanding turnout and reflected the enthusiasm surrounding Northwestern State’s momentum and future direction. These gatherings continue to provide opportunities for alumni to connect directly with prospective students and their families and to share how their experiences at Northwestern laid the foundation for personal and professional success. Conversations like these are among our most powerful recruiting tools.

Campus Living Villages Business Update

On Tuesday, we welcomed representatives from Campus Living Villages (CLV) to Natchitoches. CLV manages student housing at Northwestern and serves as our partner in providing quality residential experiences for our students. John Schroeder and Bruce Dixon met with us to discuss the future of campus housing at NSU. CLV is partnering with an innovative investment group to explore opportunities to deliver the next generation of on campus housing for our students. As enrollment grows and student expectations evolve, modern, well designed residential spaces are essential to the overall student experience. We look forward to reviewing their proposals and continuing conversations about how best to position Northwestern for the future.

Strategic Planning Team

On Wednesday, our Strategic Planning Team met to prepare for the upcoming Mid-Year Brief scheduled for March 11, 2026. The discussion focused on institutional timelines, reporting requirements, and evidence expectations. At the outset of the meeting, our Director of Institutional Effectiveness, Frank Hall, conducted a brief after action review of the 2025 Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Annual Meeting, highlighting key takeaways and guidance relevant to our upcoming Differentiated Review and ongoing compliance efforts. The team reviewed annual academic degree programs, administrative and academic units, and core competency assessment requirements, thereby reinforcing submission deadlines and accountability across the University. We also emphasized the identification and organization of required exhibits and supporting documentation to demonstrate compliance with Differentiated Review standards. Steady progress continues, and coordinated documentation remains critical to demonstrating institutional effectiveness and maintaining accreditation.

Leadership Team

On Thursday, our Leadership Team, which is comprised of key personnel covering every department at NSU, held a productive meeting centered on communication, collaboration, and institutional priorities. Reports were aligned with our strategic plan focus areas of student experience, academic excellence, market responsiveness, community enrichment, athletic prominence, and cultural competence. Team members provided updates on major initiatives and facilitated the efficient exchange of information across divisions. This group continues to play a vital role in ensuring that important developments and achievements are shared broadly and strategically, and I am grateful for their insight, commitment, and assistance.

Intersection of Police and Title IX

On Friday, I participated in a forum addressing the intersection of campus police operations and Title IX processes. The session was led by Monica Taylor, Director of the Governor’s Office of Community Programs and Planning, and Laurie Marien, Executive Director of Women’s Policy. We were joined by Natchitoches Parish District Attorney Billy Joe Harrington, City of Natchitoches Police Chief Nikeo Collins, Campus Police, and other representatives from local law enforcement. The purpose of the visit was to clarify guidelines for information sharing, specifically what is permitted, what is restricted, and what is required under federal Title IX regulations. The expected outcome is greater clarity and improved coordination so that we may operate as a unified team in service to our faculty, staff, and students. I appreciate the leadership of Monica and Laurie in facilitating this important conversation and strengthening collaboration between campus and community partners.

NSU Powerlifting Team

Northwestern State University’s newly formed club powerlifting team will begin its first season of competition on February 21 at the USA Powerlifting Capital City Classic in Baton Rouge. Representing NSU will be freshmen Ja’Leigha Gray of Plaquemine and Keith Wade of Belle Rose. Additional team members include Ayana Taylor and Breanne Jones of Shreveport, Passion Lemelle of Ville Platte, and Rubin Seastrunk and Tyrein Richardson of Alexandria. The formation of this team reflects the continued growth of club sports at Northwestern. Club sports are student run organizations that bring together students with a shared interest in athletics and competition without the full-time commitment of NCAA programs. NSU now offers 11 club sports, expanding opportunities for engagement, leadership, and personal development. I commend these students for their initiative and wish them success in their inaugural competition.

Athletics Update

Weekend sweeps in baseball and basketball, along with a pair of school records in track and field, provided the brightest headlines in a busy week for our athletics program.

The Demons opened the baseball season Friday night with a well-played 14 inning, 3-2 victory over UT Arlington in front of an impressive crowd at Brown Stroud Field. Strong pitching and defense set the tone all weekend, and the Demon bats came alive in an 8-3 win Saturday and a 10-3 victory Sunday to complete the sweep. The Demons return to Brown Stroud Field Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. to host ULM.

Both basketball teams earned home victories over Southeastern on Saturday afternoon in Prather Coliseum on Mike McConathy Court. Vee Atamah delivered a dominant performance with 23 points and 17 rebounds in the Lady Demons’ 62-47 win. In what has become a familiar script for the NSU men, their contest came down to the final seconds, and for the second time in a row the Demons made the decisive plays and garnered the win. Their 69-66 victory followed a 70-68 thriller last Monday night at Lamar. Both teams are back at home Monday, with the women tipping off at 4 p.m. against East Texas A&M and the men facing McNeese at 6:30 p.m. Please go out and support all of our athletes. It makes a difference.

Our track and field teams competed at Texas Tech on Friday and Saturday in their final meet prior to the Southland Conference Indoor Championships on February 25 and 26 in Birmingham. Several strong performances were highlighted by a school record in the men’s 400-meter dash by Will Achee, his second record breaking effort in three meets this season, and a Southland Conference all-time best in the women’s 4×400 relay by Margaret Coteh, Rushana Dwyer, Kahliyah Anderson, and Dhakiya Blake.

The Lady Demon softball team won its first three games of the season, including a 12-0 home field victory over Grambling on Tuesday night and a remarkable 9-8 comeback win Friday against Georgia State in Youngsville after overcoming an 8-1 deficit in the final two innings. Following a 3-3 week, Coach Jenny Fuller’s team travels to Louisiana Tech on Tuesday before heading back on the road for tournament play for the third consecutive weekend.

The defending Southland Conference champion Lady Demon tennis team secured a solid 5-2 victory over Tyler Junior College on Friday and will conclude its homestand next Friday and Sunday at the Jack Fisher Tennis Complex.

Looking Ahead

Northwestern’s Department of Engineering Technology will host N-Side Engineering Technology and Advanced Manufacturing on Tuesday, March 3 in Williamson Hall. Prospective high school students will explore careers and scholarship opportunities, tour labs featuring robotics, electrical circuits, 3D printing, and industrial automation, and learn about our Advanced Manufacturing Program that combines part time coursework with paid industry experience.

For more information on upcoming events and activities, please visit our What’s Happening at NSU? page. Thank you for your continued commitment to our students and to advancing Northwestern State University. Together, we are building momentum and positioning our institution to lead.

Fork ‘Em Demons,