Meet the Dean
Roland W. Mitchell, PhD
E.B. "Ted" Robert Professor
Over the four years that he has served as Dean, Mitchell has been highly focused on strategically advancing the interest of the CHSE through an emphasis on a.) Enrollment/Retention, b.) Philanthropy, c.) Academic Program Development, d.) Sponsored Research, and e.) Facility Enhancement. Examples of key initiatives to these ends include a partnership with LSU Enrollment Management to launch the inaugural HSE Academy to increase enrollment, outreach, and retention of historically underrepresented groups; the development of numerous certificate/graduate degree programs; advancement of the Huey P. Long Fieldhouse renovation (in excess of twenty-five million dollars); significant enhancements to CHSE research facilities; and increased funding for faculty research and travel. Mitchell rose through the LSU faculty ranks from his initial appointment in 2005 as an Instructor, to Professor, Associate Dean, and then Dean in 2019. Mitchell’s initial appointment as Associate Dean included research, graduate studies, and online programs as part of his portfolio. In his first year in this capacity, the CHSE experienced a 156% increase in grant funded research and a 39% increase in proposal submissions and led LSU in online student enrollment. Further, over the course of his entire tenure, the CHSE documented record levels in sponsored research success. In each appointment from Professor to Endowed Professor and Dean, Mitchell was the first African American to serve in the position in the CHSE.
Mitchell’s research theorizes the impact of historical and communal knowledge on postsecondary education. He has authored seven books and numerous scholarly works. His co-edited Crisis of Campus Sexual Violence, was awarded an Outstanding Academic Titles (OAT) award and was highlighted on the Top 25 Favorites list of the Choice editors. He is co-editor of the Rowman & Littlefield book series Race and Education in the 21st Century. Based on his scholarly record and related activity Mitchell earned the LSU Distinguished Faculty Award, was named Jo Ellen Levy Yates Professor, and was selected as a SEC Academic Development Fellow. Mitchell has a deep passion for impactful community service as evidenced through his membership on the advisory boards of the Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services, Campus Federal Credit Union, and the Louisiana Council on the Success of Black Men & Boys. He is also the recipient of the David A. Kahn Award for Exemplary Service from the Baton Rouge Youth Coalition for his ongoing service at meeting the educational needs of underrepresented populations.
Mitchell has a BA in History from Fisk University, a MEd in Higher Education from Vanderbilt University, and a PhD in Educational Research from The University of Alabama. Mitchell is married to Dr. Chaunda Allen Mitchell, Deputy Chief of Staff for Programs and Planning for the Office of Governor John Bel Edwards. They have a 23-year-old son, Brandon David Lewis and a 4-year-old daughter, Faith Allaina Mitchell who are the joys of their lives.
Past CHSE Deans
Damon P. S. Andrew (2013 - 2018)
Under the director of Damon Andrew, CHSE recorded increases in student majors, student retention, faculty diversity, and grant funding. The college continued to grow online graduate programs across four schools and CHSE launched 7 new certificate programs. The Child Development Laboratory was merged with LSU’s Child Care Center to establish a new national model Early Childhood Education Laboratory Preschool in the CHSE that serves 175 children via an innovative Reggio Emilia inspired curriculum.
Laura F. Lindsay (2011 - 2013)
Laura F. Lindsay, PhD, is the founding Dean of the College of Human Sciences & Education. Under her leadership, university programs realigned to capitalize on institutional support and collaboration for their shared mission to improve the quality of life across the lifespan. The new college included the current six schools: the School of Education (including the Human Ecology Child Development Laboratory); the School of Kinesiology; the School of Leadership & Human Resource Development; the School of Information Studies; the School of Social Work; and the University Laboratory School. Partnering with the colleges of business administration and engineering, the new college created an online initiative that created and offered numerous masters programs nationwide.