Presidential Roundtable discusses the future of business and engineering programs

Did you know that Southern University was once the leading producer of African American engineers in the country? Discussion regarding the plan to return the college back to its prominence was the topic of the Presidential Leadership Roundtable on Tuesday March 26th. Held in Pinchback Hall, the roundtable succeeded the second annual Presidential Reception and Golf Classic.
This event, orchestrated to spark brainstorming discussions in concentrated groups to then present to educators for expansion, primarily addressed the current declining structure of the colleges of Engineering and Business. In attendance were many reputable figures, including alumni and selected members of the community, such as Dr. Tia Mills, president of the Louisiana Association of Educators.
In orchestration was the Southern Engineering Alumni Society (SEAS, founded 1956) which engages over 100 alumni in quarterly informational sessions and community outreach. Over the summer of 2023, they established the charter cohort of SEAS scholars (similar to the BAYOU program for agriculture) consisting of eleven engineering majors, now Southern students. The program is projected to grow considerably in size by the second session scheduled for fall of 2024, and is just one of the trajectories predicted to improve the K-12 pipeline. “We’ve lost a lot in terms of infrastructure that has supported Southern through K-12. It’s like the iceberg is melting… we’ve got to establish a mechanism to get to these kids at a younger level.” Dean Donald R. Andrews, College of Business
Since its prime operations in the mid 90’s, many factors have contributed to the college’s recession. The university’s shift from open admission, a lack of leadership, and comparison with institutions such as LSU, who currently competes narrowly with Southern for a higher population of African American students. “There are more job opportunities out there than there are students. We need to brand all the positive aspects of the college to dispel the myth to students and parents that an education at Southern is substandard.” – Wilbert Ferdinand, President of CSE Leadership Council
Attendees agreed collectively that a beneficial course of action includes more frequent coordination and communication between (both K-12 and university) administrators, alumni associations, and corporate industry connections. “The College of Engineering used to graduate over +200 students per year, but now we’re nowhere near that point. By recruiting quality students, and making quality networks with corporate companies, the graduation rate should increase overtime.” Lee Hampton, Chair of SEAS
But, this doesn’t mean the college’s reputation rests solely on the administrative and corporate level. As discussed, a reputable college requires reputable students, which is encouraged by gaining certifications. Procurement of cybersecurity and soft-skills will indubitably strengthen resumes, job qualifications, and overall experience, fortifying Southern engineering students as desirable internship or vocational candidates. The journey to return Southern to peak performance is one that will require effort from all community members, no matter the title. Further delegation amongst alumni associations are scheduled throughout the rest of the year, along with a follow-up presentation at the Gala on the Bluff in August.