Tag: LSU

A New Era of Technology Education Begins with LSU’s AI Bachelor’s Degree

Louisiana State University is preparing to expand its leadership in emerging technology education with the launch of Louisiana’s first AI Bachelor’s Degree at its Baton Rouge campus. Approved by theLouisiana Board of Regents in March, the new program represents a significant milestone for the state’s flagship research institution as it responds to the growing demand for highly trained professionals capable of designing, evaluating, and deploying advanced AI systems, according to this news release from the University. The degree signals LSU’s commitment to aligning academic innovation with workforce development priorities across Louisiana’s rapidly evolving technology sectors.

University leadership emphasized that the new artificial intelligence degree was developed to help students move beyond simply using AI tools toward understanding how they function at a systems level. Administrators explained that the curriculum was designed to equip students with the technical foundation necessary to create accurate, efficient, and secure AI-driven solutions across industries ranging from healthcare to energy production. As the state’s land‑grant university, LSU positioned the initiative as part of a broader strategy to ensure that Louisiana students can participate directly in shaping the future of technological innovation rather than importing talent from outside the region.

With the introduction of the new degree, LSU joined a select group of universities nationwide offering stand‑alone undergraduate programs in artificial intelligence, including Purdue University and Carnegie Mellon University, as well as regional peers such as University of Tennessee and Mississippi State University. The program was developed within the LSU College of Engineering through its Division of Computer Science and Engineering, reinforcing the college’s expanding role in preparing students for specialized careers in advanced computing, data systems, and machine intelligence.

Faculty leaders described the curriculum as intentionally rigorous and technical, combining mathematical modeling, algorithmic design, and systems‑level engineering principles to prepare graduates for professional roles such as AI engineers, developers, and technical researchers. Program designers emphasized that students would learn to identify meaningful real‑world problems suited for artificial intelligence solutions, evaluate system performance using evidence‑based methods, collaborate effectively with interdisciplinary teams, and maintain strong ethical and security standards while building emerging technologies.

The AI Bachelor’s degree program was designed by James Ghawaly, assistant professor in the Division of Computer Science and Engineering, under the supervision of Ibrahim Baggili, the Roger Richardson Professor and division chair. Together with additional faculty collaborators, the team developed 20 new courses specifically tailored to the artificial intelligence major. These courses include specialized topics such as efficient neural networks, neuromorphic computing, AI security, and a dedicated ethics in artificial intelligence course that reflects growing national conversations about responsible technology development.

Like many academic pathways within the LSU College of Engineering, the new artificial intelligence degree will culminate in a senior capstone experience in which students collaborate in teams over two semesters to design solutions to real‑world challenges. Faculty explained that this structure allows students to apply theoretical knowledge to industry‑relevant projects while strengthening communication, leadership, and problem‑solving skills essential for careers in advanced technology environments. As the program grows after its Fall 2026 launch, LSU also plans to expand access through hybrid and online course delivery options to reach students across the state.

Demand for artificial intelligence expertise continues to increase across Louisiana industries, particularly in logistics, healthcare, petrochemical production, and the state’s energy sector. Leaders within the Division of Computer Science and Engineering noted that enrollment in advanced courses such as Large Language Model Application Developmenthas already demonstrated strong student interest, while business leaders across the state have expressed growing need for trained professionals capable of supporting new investments in AI infrastructure. By launching this degree program, LSU has positioned itself to strengthen economic development opportunities while preparing graduates to lead innovation across both regional and national technology landscapes.

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LSU Aligns Health Campuses to Address Gaps in Physician Nutrition Instruction

Louisiana State University recently strengthened its leadership in medical training and public health innovation through a new commitment to expanded nutrition education for future physicians. As part of a national initiative designed to improve patient outcomes and preventive care strategies, both LSU Health New Orleans and LSU Health Shreveport joined peer institutions across the country in adopting enhanced nutrition instruction requirements for medical students, as per this news release from the school. The effort reflected the broader mission of the emergingLSU Flagship model, which aligned the university system’s health sciences campuses and research centers to address Louisiana’s most pressing healthcare challenges.

Beginning in Fall 2026, medical students at LSU Health New Orleans and LSU Health Shreveport will complete at least 40 hours of nutrition education or demonstrate equivalent competency aligned with national expectations for physician training. This shift placed LSU alongside major research universities such as the University of Wisconsin, the University of Florida, and the University of California, Irvine, all of which have participated in efforts to modernize medical education around prevention-focused care. The collaboration signaled a growing national recognition that nutrition plays a critical role in reducing chronic disease and strengthening long-term community health outcomes.

For LSU, the initiative also represented a continuation of longstanding institutional priorities centered on interdisciplinary collaboration and workforce preparation. Through coordination across campuses including LSU in Baton Rouge, the Pennington Biomedical Research Center, and the LSU AgCenter, the university system has expanded its ability to connect research, education, and outreach in ways that directly support Louisiana communities. Leaders emphasized that this integrated structure allows the LSU Flagship to address complex health concerns such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and access to preventive care through coordinated academic and clinical strategies.

University administrators explained that aligning academic training with research activity and patient-centered healthcare delivery remained central to the LSU Flagship vision. LSU Chancellor Jim Dalton noted that strengthening connections among campuses helped position the university to develop solutions that supported residents across Louisiana while contributing to national conversations about healthcare innovation. This approach reinforced LSU’s role as a research institution committed not only to discovery but also to measurable improvements in public well-being.

Implementation details for the new training expectations continue to be shared through campus-level communications from both LSU Health Shreveport and LSU Health New Orleans, where faculty members are coordinating curriculum adjustments and clinical learning opportunities. These updates reflect a broader effort to ensure that students graduate with both scientific understanding and practical communication skills related to nutrition counseling, an increasingly important component of modern patient care.

As Louisiana’s flagship research university system, LSU continues to expand its influence through coordinated investments in education, healthcare delivery, discovery, and extension work across multiple campuses. By integrating the strengths of LSU Baton Rouge, LSU Health New Orleans, LSU Health Shreveport, the Pennington Biomedical Research Center, and the LSU AgCenter, the LSU Flagship has created a unified research environment capable of addressing statewide and global challenges. Initiatives like the expanded nutrition education requirement demonstrated how coordinated academic leadership can strengthen physician preparation while advancing the health and well-being of communities across Louisiana.

Nutrition education in medical training has become increasingly important as healthcare systems shift toward prevention rather than treatment alone. Physicians who understand how diet influences chronic illness, immune function, and long-term wellness are better equipped to guide patients toward healthier lifestyles and earlier interventions. By embedding structured nutrition learning into its medical curriculum, LSU strengthened its commitment to preparing physicians who can respond effectively to the evolving needs of modern healthcare systems while supporting healthier futures for Louisiana residents.

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A New Vision for Louisiana Higher Education Begins at LSU

Louisiana State University is moving forward with a bold vision aimed at strengthening both opportunity and academic achievement across the state in Louisiana higher education. During a recent meeting of the LSU Board of Supervisors, LSU President Wade Rousse outlined a strategy designed to elevate how the LSU system serves students and communities throughout Louisiana, as per this news release from the school. The plan focuses on expanding research, improving facilities, and refining admission standards so the university system can continue progressing toward its goal of becoming one of the nation’s top research institutions.

Rousse explained that LSU’s future success depends on balancing academic excellence with meaningful access to higher education. According to his remarks, achieving this balance requires clear measures of success, responsible stewardship of resources, and an education system that prepares students for real-world opportunities. By strengthening these areas, the LSU system hopes not only to improve its national reputation but also to positively impact Louisiana’s workforce, economy, and long-term prosperity.

A key component of the plan involves revisiting admission standards at the flagship campus in Baton Rouge. The Board of Supervisors approved a recommendation from LSU Chancellor James Dalton to reinstate mandatory standardized test scores for admission. Leaders believe this step will align LSU with peer institutions and help the university recruit students who are prepared for the academic rigor of a major research institution.

While the decision reflects a renewed emphasis on academic benchmarks, university leaders also emphasized that access remains central to the LSU system’s mission. President Rousse described a statewide network of campuses that collectively serve students with a wide range of goals. Some students may pursue two-year degrees or professional certifications, while others may begin at regional campuses before transferring to the flagship university. The broader LSU system aims to ensure that every Louisiana student can find a pathway that matches their ambitions.

Another notable development approved during the meeting involves new accelerated bachelor’s degree programs atLSU Alexandria. These programs allow students to complete a baccalaureate degree after earning 90 credit hours rather than the traditional 120-hour requirement. By shortening the timeline to graduation, LSU hopes to help students enter the workforce more quickly while also reducing the cost of earning a degree.

Accelerated degree programs like these reflect a growing trend across Louisiana higher education. Universities increasingly recognize that many students seek flexible and efficient academic pathways that connect directly to career opportunities. The new programs at LSU Alexandria are designed with that goal in mind, providing students with a faster route to completing their undergraduate education while maintaining academic quality.

The Board of Supervisors meeting also included leadership transitions that will help guide the LSU system through these changes. Lee Mallett was sworn in as the board’s new chair, and Supervisor John Carmouche of Napoleonville was elected vice chair. Their leadership will play an important role as LSU continues implementing policies that shape the future of higher education in Louisiana.

Higher education institutions nationwide face similar challenges: balancing accessibility, affordability, and academic excellence. LSU’s strategy attempts to address all three priorities simultaneously. If successful, the initiatives could strengthen Louisiana’s educational pipeline and create new opportunities for students seeking both traditional and innovative routes to college success.

Ultimately, the vision presented by President Rousse reflects a long-term effort to position LSU as both a premier research university and a statewide engine for opportunity. Through collaboration among campuses, strategic academic programs, and renewed admissions standards, the LSU system hopes to expand opportunity while continuing to raise its academic profile.

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Compostable Carnival: Inside LSU’s 2026 Biodegradable Bead Project

As the 2026 Mardi Gras season unfolded, researchers and students at Louisiana State University sent something entirely different into the air during parade season: biodegradable bead necklaces designed not just to dazzle crowds, but to grow in backyard compost piles, according to this article from The Advocate. Led by Associate Professor Naohiro Kato, the project marked the latest chapter in a yearslong effort to rethink one of Carnival’s most iconic — and controversial — traditions.

Approximately 1,500 3D-printed necklaces were produced for distribution at three major parades: the Krewe of Freret and the Krewe of Tucks in New Orleans, along with the Krewe of Artemis in Baton Rouge. Unlike conventional plastic beads, these necklaces were intentionally designed to break down in soil. Each spidery, geodesic orb — connected by delicate chains and colored in traditional purple, green, and gold — carried a distinct LSU flair with the phrase “Geaux Tigers!” etched into the design.

What made the beads especially novel, however, was what lay inside. Each biodegradable bead orb contained an okra seed. When composted properly, the biodegradable material was intended to decompose harmlessly, allowing the seed to sprout and eventually produce okra — a staple ingredient in Louisiana gumbo. The concept blended environmental science with cultural symbolism, transforming what was typically parade litter into a potential garden harvest.

Kato’s interest in sustainable bead production had begun years earlier inside his laboratory, where he noticed an oily residue forming in a beaker of algae. That observation sparked the idea that algae byproducts might serve as a base for moldable, biodegradable plastic. By 2022, he and his students had successfully produced prototype bio-beads using algae-based plastic blended with commercially available biodegradable materials similar to those used in compostable utensils. While the early versions demonstrated promise as an eco-friendly alternative to petroleum-based imports, they proved costly and visually underwhelming.

The biodegradable bead  project evolved significantly with input from graduate and undergraduate researchers. Biology graduate student Alexis Strain proposed using 3D printing technology to create lighter, more intricate bead structures capable of housing seeds. Meanwhile, undergraduate student Tyler Besse helped maintain and operate the laboratory’s 23 3D printers, which ran steadily to produce the necklaces. During fabrication, okra seeds were carefully inserted midway through the printing process, embedding them securely inside each orb.

For Kato, the initiative remained experimental. The 2026 parade season served as a real-world test to determine whether the seed-bearing beads would truly sprout after composting. Rather than pursuing mass production or commercial manufacturing, the professor emphasized accessibility. His long-term vision centered on making the 3D-printing plans publicly available so that schools, libraries, and community groups could produce their own biodegradable throws. In doing so, the project shifted from a single university experiment to a potentially statewide educational movement.

Mardi Gras beads have long symbolized celebration, but they have also contributed to mounting environmental concerns. Millions of traditional plastic necklaces have been imported and discarded each year, often ending up in storm drains, waterways, and landfills. LSU’s biodegradable beads attempted to address that issue at its source by reimagining what a parade throw could be. Instead of single-use plastic, the 2026 season featured necklaces designed with decomposition — and regeneration — in mind.

As Carnival concluded, the bio-bead experiment stood at the intersection of tradition, technology, and sustainability. Whether paradegoers ultimately composted their beads in significant numbers remained to be seen. But even modest participation suggested that the 2026 Mardi Gras season yielded more than memories — it produced okra plants rooted in Louisiana soil. In the process, the initiative sparked broader conversations about how beloved cultural traditions could evolve responsibly, blending celebration with environmental stewardship and inspiring future innovations across the state.

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How LSU’s New Certificate Addresses the Future of Digital Infrastructure

Louisiana State University recently announced the launch of a new Digital Twin Design and Production Certificate, positioning the institution at the forefront of one of the fastest-growing technologies shaping modern industry and digital infrastructure. Developed through a collaboration between academic leaders and private-sector experts, the program was designed to prepare professionals for the expanding use of digital twins across construction, manufacturing, energy, and other sectors critical to Louisiana’s economy. More information about the university’s engineering and digital infrastructure initiatives can be found through the LSU College of Engineering, while details about online delivery are available via this news release from LSU.

Digital twins are virtual, continuously updated models that mirror physical assets, systems, or processes in real time. These tools allow organizations to simulate conditions, predict outcomes, identify inefficiencies, and address safety concerns before costly failures occur. From monitoring bridge integrity to optimizing factory operations or improving supply chain performance, digital twins are increasingly central to how complex systems are managed. Industry analysts frequently cite their ability to reduce downtime and operational costs while improving decision-making, particularly in infrastructure-heavy regions like Louisiana.

Registration for the certificate program is now open, and LSU officials noted that it is the first digital twin certificate in the nation co-developed by both academic and industry experts. The program consists of seven fully online courses that combine case studies, guided tutorials, and hands-on learning activities. Participants learn how digital twins are designed, what technologies support them, and how they are deployed to track and improve real-world systems. Coursework also includes practice using widely adopted software platforms and instruction on calculating deployment costs and return on investment. Additional details about certificate offerings are available through LSU Continuing Education.

Beyond technical development, the certificate places a strong emphasis on understanding the broader implications of digital twin technology. Participants explore topics such as data ethics, intellectual property considerations, cybersecurity concerns, and legal risks associated with modeling real-world systems. Program leaders emphasized that these non-technical dimensions are essential for professionals who will be responsible not only for building digital twins but also for managing them responsibly within organizations. This interdisciplinary approach aligns with broader conversations in higher education about responsible innovation and workforce readiness, as outlined by the U.S. Department of Education.

The digital infrastructure certificate was created through a partnership between the LSU College of Engineering, LSU Online, the Baton Rouge–based consultancy DigiTwin Global, and the global engineering software firm Bentley Systems. According to LSU Engineering Dean Vicki Colvin, understanding when digital twins are worth the investment—and how to use them effectively—is becoming a baseline skill for future engineers and business leaders. She noted that demand for these competencies is growing rapidly in construction, manufacturing, energy, agribusiness, and healthcare, all of which play major roles in Louisiana’s economy.

Development of the program was led by Marwa Hassan, associate dean of academic affairs in the College of Engineering, and Kappie Mumphrey, vice president of LSU Online. The development team included LSU engineers, computer scientists, digital designers, and online learning specialists, as well as industry software professionals. Contributors also included faculty from the E.J. Ourso College of Business and leadership from Forte and Tablada, a Baton Rouge engineering firm whose executives co-founded DigiTwin Global. Additional context on LSU’s business programs is available through the Flores MBA Program.

Program developers emphasized practicality as a defining feature of the certificate. Several courses include direct interaction with professional-grade digital twin software, including platforms developed by Bentley Systems. Industry leaders involved in the program noted that Louisiana’s extensive industrial and coastal infrastructure makes the state an ideal environment for applying digital twin technology at scale. Looking ahead, LSU is exploring the creation of a full bachelor’s degree in digital twin technology, while DigiTwin Global is planning a regional symposium on the topic in February—signaling continued momentum for this emerging field.

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LSU Partnership Positions UNO for a Bold Campus Rebirth

The UNO Lakefront campus, long recognized as a cornerstone of higher education and community engagement in the region, entered a defining moment as it prepared to transition into the LSU System, as per this news release from Louisiana State University. Once home to nearly 17,000 students prior to Hurricane Katrina, the campus’s enrollment had declined to roughly 5,000 students in recent years, prompting an urgent need for fresh investment and renewed strategic direction. Temporary operational stability had been achieved thanks to the Louisiana State Legislature’s allocation of $20 million to the University of Louisiana System during the 2024 legislative session and the efforts of UNO leaders. Still, the spirit of alumni and the strength of the Lakefront community remained steadfast, anchoring hopes for revitalization.

A major milestone will occur on July 1, 2026, when operational oversight of the Lakefront campus officially shifts from the University of Louisiana System to the LSU System. This change signaled far more than a procedural governance update. It represented an opportunity to reimagine the university’s academic mission, rebuild enrollment, and fully activate the value of its remarkable lakefront location. To guide this process, a new transition team composed of alumni, industry specialists, and administrators from both institutions was formed. The group planned to convene on November 5 for a half-day planning session focused on academic priorities, facility improvements, athletics, and community partnerships.

The transition team’s agenda drew inspiration from successful models at LSU Alexandria, LSU Eunice, and LSU Shreveport—campuses that had strengthened enrollment and academic programming by sharing resources across the LSU System and aligning academic offerings with regional workforce needs. Chancellors from these institutions were scheduled to share insights during the planning session, emphasizing strategies that had generated measurable success.

A central focus of the upcoming transition involved reshaping the academic profile of the Lakefront campus to align with Louisiana’s contemporary economic landscape. Proposed enhancements included expanded healthcare education in collaboration with LSU Health, broader engineering pathways that reflect industry demand, and strengthened national-defense and research initiatives leveraging the campus’s unique location. The plan also included growing arts administration programs and elevating hospitality, tourism, and culinary offerings—logical expansions in a city globally renowned for its cultural and gastronomic identity. With New Orleans serving as one of the world’s leading destinations for food, hospitality, and culture, the campus stood well-positioned to become a premier educational hub for these industries.

Athletics also remained a significant part of the UNO Lakefront identity. The transition group included well-known figures such as former head basketball coach Tim Floyd and former athletic director Ron Maestri, both of whom would help ensure that Privateer traditions remained central even as new strategies were introduced. With increased enrollment, intensifying alumni engagement, and collaboration with LSU Athletics, future LSU New Orleans sports programs—such as basketball in the Arena and baseball at Maestri Field—would be poised for competitive and sustainable growth.

Collaboration extended beyond campus boundaries. Leaders from sectors such as tourism, healthcare, technology, real estate, maritime industries, national defense, and finance were expected to provide guidance throughout the transition. Their support aimed to strengthen economic mobility, expand career opportunities, and position the Lakefront campus as an engine for regional growth.

Ultimately, the shift into the LSU System represented more than a structural realignment. It symbolized the renewal of the original vision for the LSU New Orleans Lakefront campus: a thriving, world-class institution where students could innovate, discover, and prepare for meaningful futures. As the transition unfolded, one message echoed clearly—New Orleans deserved a flagship institution fully aligned with its culture, its industries, and its aspirations.

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