Tag: Louisiana University

LSU Amongst Top Research Universities per National Science Foundation

Louisiana State University (LSU) has once again demonstrated its prominence in academic research, with the National Science Foundation (NSF) confirming the university’s record-breaking research expenditures of $488 million for the 2023 fiscal year. This marks a significant 14% growth compared to the previous year, underscoring LSU’s steady ascent among top research institutions. While this achievement was initially announced by LSU via this news release, the NSF’s confirmation highlights the university’s impressive performance alongside peers such as the University of Kentucky and the University of Tennessee.

The 14% increase represents a historic milestone for LSU, attributed to a surge in research activities across its campuses. Leading contributors to this growth include LSU’s flagship campus in Baton Rouge, as well as LSU Health New Orleans and LSU Health Shreveport. These efforts reflect LSU’s commitment to enhancing its research capabilities across various disciplines and fostering impactful collaborations.

LSU’s progress is not only reflected in its financial achievements but also in its national rankings. Among U.S. research institutions, LSU’s collective campuses—including the flagship Baton Rouge campus, LSU AgCenter,Pennington Biomedical Research Center, and the LSU Health campuses—rose from 71st to 69th place in national rankings. This improvement is particularly notable considering the average growth rate of research universities across the nation was 11% in 2023.

This rise places LSU in a competitive position among its peers, highlighting its ability to maintain momentum in a challenging and fast-evolving research landscape. The increase in rankings demonstrates LSU’s effectiveness in fostering partnerships and securing funding to support groundbreaking projects.

LSU has distinguished itself as a leader in federally funded research, excelling in areas such as life sciences, geosciences, mathematics, statistics, and computer and information sciences. These strengths align seamlessly with the goals of the university’s Scholarship First Agenda, an initiative aimed at addressing pressing challenges in agriculture, biomedicine, coastal restoration, defense, and energy.

The university’s ability to secure federal grants has not only enhanced its research capacity but also reinforced its commitment to creating innovative solutions for Louisiana and beyond. Each year, LSU research contributes an estimated $1.3 billion to the state’s economy, demonstrating the tangible impact of its academic pursuits.

Robert Twilley, LSU’s Vice President of Research and Economic Development, emphasized the significance of the university’s accomplishments. Twilley explained that the National Science Foundation findings validate LSU’s commitment to growth and innovation, particularly in addressing the needs of Louisiana and supporting the Scholarship First Agenda. He also noted that the rise in federal grants signals increased confidence in LSU’s ability to tackle complex challenges at both the state and national levels.

LSU’s success is further illuminated by data from the Higher Education Research and Development (HERD) Survey. Conducted annually, this survey is a critical resource for understanding research expenditures across U.S. colleges and universities. Institutions that spend at least $150,000 in separately accounted research and development (R&D) annually participate in this comprehensive census.

The HERD Survey breaks down expenditures by research field and funding source, providing an in-depth analysis of trends in higher education. In 2023, total R&D spending by academic institutions reached an impressive $108.8 billion, marking the largest annual increase since 2003. Notably, higher education R&D expenditures have grown at a compound annual rate of 5% over the past decade, reflecting the increasing importance of academic research in driving innovation. Salaries, wages, and benefits for R&D personnel accounted for the largest share of direct costs, totaling $47.1 billion. This investment underscores the critical role of skilled professionals in advancing research goals and achieving institutional success.

LSU’s historic growth in research expenditures is a testament to its dedication to academic excellence and innovation. By leveraging federal funding and fostering strategic partnerships, the university is poised to continue making significant contributions to both the local and global community. As research priorities evolve, LSU remains committed to addressing emerging challenges and driving economic growth in Louisiana.

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Reading Instruction at University of Louisiana at Lafayette Recognized by NCTQ

Effective reading instruction is crucial for the development of elementary school students, so it’s all the more essential and impressive that The University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s College of Education & Human Development has recently received recognition for its exceptional undergraduate elementary teacher preparation program, as per this news release from the school. In a national report by the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ), the program was awarded an impressive “A: grade. This non-profit education research and policy organization based in Washington, D.C., evaluated programs across the country to determine their effectiveness in equipping future teachers with the necessary knowledge and skills for teaching reading.

Dr. Toby Daspit, a professor in the College of Education & Human Development and the leader of the Department of Educational Curriculum and Instruction, emphasized the importance of scientifically based instruction methods in combating high illiteracy rates nationwide. These comprehensive approaches provided by the NCTQ offer a solid foundation for future elementary teachers to address the reading needs of their students effectively.

According to the NCTQ, more than one-third of fourth-grade students in the United States struggle to read at a basic level. By recognizing and accrediting programs that effectively teach reading instruction, the NCTQ aims to improve the quality of education and combat the literacy crisis. The acknowledgment received by the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s College of Education & Human Development highlights the dedication of its faculty members and the innovative curriculum they have developed to meet current national and state needs.

The NCTQ analyzed various elements of the syllabi, lecture schedules, background reading materials, class assessments, assignments, and opportunities for practice in required literacy courses offered to undergraduate elementary teacher candidates. Their evaluation aimed to assess the programs’ effectiveness in teaching the five core components of scientifically-based reading instruction, as defined by the NCTQ:

  1. Phonemic awareness: The recognition of sounds made by spoken words.
  2. Phonics: Mapping those sounds onto letters and combinations of letters.
  3. Fluency: The ability to read with speed, accuracy, and proper expression.
  4. Vocabulary: Expanding students’ word knowledge.
  5. Comprehension: Enhancing students’ understanding of what they read.

The NCTQ is a nonpartisan organization founded in 2000 with the goal of ensuring every child has effective teachers and every teacher has the opportunity to be effective. With two decades of research and policy analysis, the NCTQfocuses on aligning teacher preparation to research-driven practices and strengthening policies and practices related to teacher quality. Their work encompasses areas such as recruitment, assignment, evaluation, development, and compensation. The organization is staffed by former teachers and funded by various foundations and philanthropic individuals, excluding federal funding.

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s College of Education & Human Development is dedicated to preparing future educators who are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and empathy necessary to make a positive impact on the lives of their students. The college offers a comprehensive range of programs and degrees, including undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs in various fields of education. Students have the opportunity to engage in practical experiences, internships, and research projects that enhance their understanding of educational theories and practices.

ULL’s College of Education & Human Development has achieved significant recognition for its undergraduate elementary teacher preparation program, particularly in the field of reading instruction. By aligning their curriculumwith research-driven practices and addressing the five core components of scientifically based reading instruction, the program equips future teachers with the necessary skills to promote strong literacy skills in elementary students. The NCTQ’s evaluation and acknowledgment reflect the university’s commitment to excellence in education and its dedication to producing highly skilled and effective teachers.

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UL Lafayette Geosciences Team named Top Oil Prospectors

Recently, a group of geosciences students from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette competed in the 2023 North American Region Competition, where they were named the best team of students in North America who can determine where to drill for oil, according to this feature article from the University.

UL Lafayette’s team of competing geosciences students included Savana Anderson, Peyton Dardeau, Margaret Dittman and Abigail Watson, also known collectively as the University’s Imperial Barrel team. The team’s faculty advisor was Dr. David Oppo, an assistant professor in the School of Geosciences. This four-student team, which consisted of both undergraduate and graduate students,  placed first for the Imperial Barrel Award for the 2023 North American Region Competition, which is a competition for the American Association of Petroleum Geologists.

Dr. Carl Richter, Associated Dean of Ray P. Authement College of Sciences and Professor at the School of Geosciences, spoke about the team saying, “this doesn’t place the School’s teams in exclusive company. It’s more like a private club. Over the years, the teams achieved a level of preeminence that’s not likely to be equaled anytime soon. It reflects the quality of students the School of Geosciences attracts and the strength of our graduate program.”

The American Association of Petroleum Geologists’ competition functions as a competitive showcase for students to collaborate as they analyze industry data, make key determinations about energy resources, and make vital decisions about sustainable extraction methods. Because the University’s Imperial Barrel team won the North American Region competition after winning the Gulf Coast sectional, they will be coming on to the world competition.

Last year, the ULL’s Imperial Barrel team placed second in the world and have won the overall event three times in the past: in 2012, 2014, and 2018. It should be noted that they are the only team to claim the title of “world’s best” three times in the history of the award.

The competition involved the students analyzing real datasets including information on basin’s geology, petroleum system elements, geophysics, and production infrastructures over the course of eight weeks. Throughout the competition, the four team members used state-of-the-art technology, received feedback from industry advisors, and networked with potential employers. The competition’s main goal includes identifying a prospective oil reservoir and determining its overall viability. The team then reports its verdict during a 25 minute presentation to industry experts, who then select a winner based on technical quality, clarity, and the originality of the presentation.

Joey Grimball was a previous winner for UL Lafayette during the 2012 competition, and he had the following to say about his involvement in the competition and the impact it has had on his career: “the IBA experience has been the culmination of my coursework at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. By using the knowledge we attained from previous courses we as a team were able to put together a prospect evaluation starting at the Basin analysis level with the understanding of regional geology, paleogeography, maturation of the source rocks, trapping mechanisms, reservoirs and seals in our area.

These past three months we have grown as individuals and gained insight into how real world petroleum prospectsare put together. Through our interaction with Industry professionals and advice given to us through our Advisor we have a better understanding of how Industry operates. Also the presentation skills along with the networking that we have been able to do through this process have added up to be the best experience of my academic career. I hope to be a part of the IBA experience for years to come.”

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Nicholls Recently Renewed its Partnership with MAX Charter School

It was recently announced that Nicholls State University and the Maxine Giardina Charter School have officially renewed their five-year affiliation, according to this news release from Nicholls. The affiliation between Nicholls and MAX Charter School is described as a way to provide both engagement and support through both the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences and the Nicholls Louisiana Center for Dyslexia and Related Learning Disorders.

Five years ago, Nicholls’ College of Education had introduced the internally recognized Comprehensive Application of Behavior Analysis to Schooling approach to MAX Charter’s educational curriculum. Essentially, the Comprehensive Application of Behavior Analysis to Schooling, or CABAS, is seen as a scientifically validated approach to schooling, and because of this, it incorporates principles and tactics of the basic science of behavior in order to teach educationally significant and socially significant repertoires through continuous assessment, monitoring, and individualized interventions that are based on data.

Nicholls President Jay Clune, PhD. had spoken about the renewed partnership by saying, “for years, the affiliation between MAX Charter School and Nicholls has provided incredible opportunities for our teacher candidates to receive hands-on training in instructional delivery to students with differentiated learning styles. In turn, MAX benefits by having access to resources and ongoing support from the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences and the Louisiana Center for Dyslexia and Related Learning Disorders. This is a valuable educational partnership for both organizations.”

The Chairman of MAX Charter School Board, Jake Giardina, commented on the partnership by saying, “the collaboration between MAX Charter and Nicholls leverages the education, experience, and expertise of both entities greatly benefiting all stakeholders.”

Additionally, Nicholls Dean of the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, Dr. Scot Rademaker, said “MAX is a great place for our teacher candidates and future counselors to gain valuable experiences prior to their employment as professionals in the world of education. Some candidates and interns may even be employed by MAX and continue to provide quality instruction and services for students with dyslexia. Nicholls has been able to provide valuable resources, including professional development from teacher education faculty, as well as leadership and guidance through board governance for MAX. We hope that the professional connections between our two educational entities will continue for many years to come.”

Approved by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, the MAX Charter School is actually the first of its kind in Louisiana and it has since become a source for ongoing professional development of in-service teachers and field experience training for pre-service teachers at the University. The school is described as being dedicated to educating first through eighth-grade students with dyslexia and related learning differences.

The Nicholls Louisiana Center for Dyslexia & Related Learning Disorders describes its mission by saying that it “is to transform the lives of individuals with dyslexia through the provision of support services to college students, educational evaluations to the public, and training opportunities to teachers and parents.”

Similarly, the Nicholls College of Education and Behavioral Sciences is dedicated to the preparation of high-quality, experienced, and knowledgeable educational leaders, teachers, school counselors, psychological counselors, school psychologists, and human service professionals who are able to meet the diverse needs of Louisiana and the larger global community. They say, “this is accomplished by a faculty committed to teaching, community service, professional service, and research. Programs of study are grounded in the conceptual framework: ‘Responsible Leaders Engaging in Professional Practice.’ The college is strongly committed to service in area school systems and community agencies.”

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