Southeastern Louisiana University

Background

Southeastern Louisiana University (Southeastern) is a public institution located in Hammond, Louisiana. Established in 1925 as Hammond Junior College, it transitioned to Southeastern Louisiana College in 1928 and achieved university status in 1970. The university's mission is to lead the educational, economic, and cultural development of Southeast Louisiana. With a student body of approximately 14,440 and over 150 programs of study, Southeastern is the state's third-largest public university.

Key Strategic Focus

Southeastern emphasizes providing a comprehensive education that prepares students for the workforce and civic engagement. The university offers a diverse range of undergraduate and graduate programs across five colleges, including Business, Education, Nursing and Health Sciences, Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Science and Technology. Southeastern is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, and master's degrees.

Financials and Funding

As of the 2022 fiscal year, Southeastern's endowment was valued at approximately $20 million, reflecting an 11.2% decline from the previous year. The university received $11.9 million in federal grants and contracts, $5.84 million from state grants and contracts, and $68,500 from local grants and contracts. In 2022, the total salary expenditure was $194 million, with instructional salaries accounting for $33.3 million across 490 employees.

Pipeline Development

Southeastern offers over 60 degree programs across various disciplines. The most popular bachelor's degree concentrations include General Business Administration & Management, General Studies, and Registered Nursing. In 2022, the university awarded 2,189 degrees across all undergraduate and graduate programs.

Technological Platform and Innovation

The Office of Technology at Southeastern supports a robust technological infrastructure, including over 200 physical servers, more than 200 virtual servers, 700 virtual desktops, and over 200 terabytes of storage. These resources host the university's enterprise resource planning system, content management system, learning management system, and communication systems. The university is also implementing cloud-based SaaS systems to enhance its technological capabilities.

Leadership Team

As of 2021, the university's president is William S. Wainwright. The leadership team comprises experienced professionals dedicated to advancing the university's mission and strategic goals.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

Southeastern operates within a competitive higher education landscape in Louisiana. The university's in-state tuition is $5,777, with an average net price of $12,291 after financial aid. The student-to-faculty ratio is 18:1, and the graduation rate is 44%.

Competitor Analysis

Key competitors include the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (UL Lafayette) and Louisiana Tech University. UL Lafayette has an in-state tuition of $5,407, a student-to-faculty ratio of 18:1, and a graduation rate of 41%. Louisiana Tech University has an in-state tuition of $6,401, a student-to-faculty ratio of 23:1, and a graduation rate of 49%.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

Southeastern hosts the Louisiana Small Business Development Center (LSBDC), offering no-cost confidential business consulting and affordable workshops to new entrepreneurs and existing business owners. The LSBDC serves the Northshore parishes of Livingston, St. Helena, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, and Washington.

Operational Insights

Southeastern's strategic focus on providing affordable education, diverse program offerings, and robust technological infrastructure positions it competitively within the regional higher education market. The university's commitment to community engagement and partnerships further enhances its market position.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

Southeastern aims to continue expanding its program offerings, enhancing technological capabilities, and strengthening community partnerships. The university's focus on affordability and quality education positions it well to attract a diverse student population and meet the evolving needs of the workforce.