LSU System President Rousse Announces Four Finalists for New LSUNO Chancellor

BATON ROUGE – LSU System President Dr. Wade Rousse announced four finalists for the position of Chancellor of Louisiana State University of New Orleans (LSUNO), following a national search to identify the university’s next leader. The selected finalists will be invited to campus on November 3 and 4.

“LSU New Orleans has tremendous potential, and selecting the right leader is critical to realizing that potential,” said LSU System President Wade Rousse. “These four finalists bring a wide range of experience and proven leadership in higher education. I'm confident that our next chancellor will help us build on the university's strengths, expand opportunities for students and position LSU New Orleans for long-term success.”

The selected finalists will be invited to campus to engage with faculty, staff, students, and community stakeholders. Additional details regarding the campus interview schedule and opportunities for constituent engagement are attached below.

Meet the finalists:

Sebastian van Delden, Ph.D., is provost and vice president for academic affairs at Winthrop University. Previously, he served as dean of sciences, mathematics and engineering at the College of Charleston and held department chair positions at Southeastern Louisiana University and USC Upstate. Dr. van Delden has published 30 scholarly articles in artificial intelligence, natural language processing and robotics and is co-principal investigator of a $10 million NSF grant supporting STEM research across 11 universities. He has developed academic programs, established industry partnerships, and secured major philanthropic gifts. Originally from Saba in the Dutch Caribbean, he earned his Ph.D. in computer science from the University of Central Florida.

Michael J. Savoie, Ph.D., serves as Vice Provost of the University of North Texas at Frisco and Dean of the College of Applied and Collaborative Studies. Previously, he held academic leadership positions at Southern Methodist University, Utah Valley University, and UT Dallas. An award-winning educator, Savoie has authored more than 150 publications on technology, data security, operations management, and organizational improvement. His current research explores how disruptive technologies transform organizations. He also served four terms as mayor of Northlake, Texas. Savoie earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from LSU, an MBA from Nicholls State University, and a Ph.D. from UNT.

Jeanette R. Weiland serves as Interim Chancellor and Chief Administrative Officer of LSU New Orleans, overseeing the university’s transition into the LSU System, financial sustainability, and institutional growth. She brings more than 20 years of executive leadership experience across higher education, healthcare, economic development, and financial services. Previously, she held leadership positions at Tulane University, the New Orleans Business Alliance, and Ochsner Health. Weiland is a former Chair of Louisiana BIO and served on Governor Jeff Landry’s Fiscal Policy and Economic Development transition council. She earned her bachelor’s degree from LSU and holds an MBA and a master’s degree in arts administration from the University of New Orleans.

Kent L. Willis, Ph.D., is a higher education leader with nearly two decades of experience in education and public service. He currently serves as Senior Vice President for Enrollment and Student Engagement at Stephen F. Austin State University, where his leadership helped achieve record freshman enrollment and a 7% increase in overall enrollment. Previously, he held senior leadership positions at California State University, Fresno, and within the University of Texas System. His experience spans enrollment management, student success, academic administration, and university governance. Willis earned his Ph.D. in Educational Management from Hampton University and is a UC Berkeley Executive Leadership Academy fellow.

The selection of a new chancellor comes at a pivotal time for LSU New Orleans as the university continues its transition into the LSU System. With a renewed focus on financial sustainability, academic excellence, and institutional growth, the university is working to expand opportunities for students, strengthen its research mission and deepen partnerships throughout the New Orleans region. The next chancellor will play a critical role in guiding that transformation and positioning LSU New Orleans for continued growth and long-term success.