Incoming Chancellor Pierre Addresses Press Club of Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge, La. — John K. Pierre, incoming Chancellor of Southern University and A&M College, addressed the Press Club of Baton Rouge on Monday, sharing his vision for the university and the challenges ahead. Pierre, who will officially assume his new role on July 1, highlighted his plans for advancing the university amidst financial uncertainties.
"It's hard to believe that the son of a man and a woman who could not read or write, the 13th child born to them, would be chancellor of a great law center and then chancellor of Southern University and A&M College, my alma mater," Pierre remarked, emphasizing the unique opportunity of leading his alma mater.
Pierre outlined his commitment to ensuring Southern University remains a transformational institution despite facing significant challenges. He noted the potential $250 million budget cut to higher education in Louisiana next July and expressed his determination to work with legislators to prevent such cuts.
"Higher education provides a seven-dollar return on investment, and if we want citizens to remain in Louisiana, we must create pathways for them to access higher education," he asserted.
Pierre also emphasized the importance of community engagement, economic development, healthcare opportunities, and reducing the digital divide. He praised Southern University's College of Agriculture for achieving its highest enrollment ever, attributing this success to the growing recognition of agriculture's significance in Louisiana and the global economy.
The incoming chancellor also highlighted the need to increase student participation in STEM disciplines, recognizing the critical role these fields play in addressing contemporary challenges, including climate change. "If you think it's hot now, wait till next summer," he quipped, underscoring the urgency of environmental issues.
Pierre addressed the critical issue of teacher shortages, pledging to reinvigorate Southern University's School of Education to produce more educators. "Until we solve that problem, we cannot fix the issues at the K-12 level," he stated.
He also touched on the mental health challenges faced by students, noting the impact of technology on their well-being and the necessity of providing resources to support them.
Pierre's remarks included a call to action for the community to recognize and support the value of higher education in Louisiana. He expressed confidence in working with legislators to secure necessary funding and emphasized the need for public investment in education.
"Southern University is a great place. I couldn't think of a better place to be because Southern University gave me an opportunity in the spring of 1977 to start an educational journey which has been both rewarding and satisfying to me and transformational," Pierre concluded.
The meeting ended with a question-and-answer session, where Pierre addressed various topics, including environmental issues, funding, and student support.
