LSU College of Human Sciences & Education Appoints Judith Rhodes as Acting Associate Dean for Research Centers & Institutes

BATON ROUGE, LA — The LSU College of Human Sciences & Education has appointed Judith Rhodes, PhD, LMSW, as Acting Associate Dean for CHSE Research Centers & Institutes.

In this role, Rhodes will oversee the LSU Early Childhood Education Institute, Healthy Aging Research Center, Leadership Development Institute, Social Research & Evaluation Center, Integrative Community Studies Program, and the college’s Online & Continuing Education partnerships and programs.

“Judith has demonstrated exceptional leadership, a commitment to research excellence, and a passion for improving lives through meaningful community partnerships and translational research,” said LSU College of Human Sciences & Education Dean Roland Mitchell. “Her experience leading large-scale research initiatives and building collaborative networks makes her uniquely qualified to guide our centers and institutes as we continue expanding the impact of our mission-driven work to improve the quality of life across the lifespan for communities in Louisiana and beyond.”

Rhodes currently serves as Director of the LSU Social Research & Evaluation Center (SREC), where she leads research, evaluation, program design, implementation, and grant development efforts. Her scholarship focuses on school social work, educational attainment, dropout prevention, intervention research, and the school-to-justice pathway for youth placed at risk.

A Louisiana native by choice and an LSU alumna, Rhodes earned her bachelor’s degree in Arts & Sciences before returning to LSU to complete a Master of Social Work in 2007 and a PhD in Social Work in 2011. Today, she serves as a Professor of Research dedicated to improving outcomes for children, families, and communities through evidence-based research and collaborative solutions.

Among her notable accomplishments, Rhodes led SREC to become the lead evaluator for LSU FUEL, a transformative $160 million National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engine award. The LSU-led Future Use of Energy in Louisiana (FUEL) initiative brings together universities, technical and community colleges, state agencies, and private-sector partners to develop workforce solutions and innovative technologies that support Louisiana’s evolving energy economy. As a member of the FUEL leadership team, Rhodes helps ensure evaluation efforts remain responsive to the initiative’s growth and long-term impact.

As Acting Associate Dean, Rhodes will provide strategic leadership for the college’s research centers and institutes, strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration, expand external partnerships, and support efforts that translate research into meaningful outcomes for communities throughout Louisiana and beyond.

“I am honored to serve in this role and to support the incredible work taking place across our centers and institutes,” Rhodes said. “Together, we have an opportunity to strengthen research partnerships, expand innovation,  build new relationships, and create solutions that improve lives while advancing LSU’s mission of excellence.”