The Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System unanimously voted to appoint Rick Gallot as its new System president during today’s special meeting. Gallot is the sitting president at Grambling State University and previously represented Grambling and northeast Louisiana in both the state Senate and House of Representatives.
“Rick’s long career of servant leadership to our state prepared him well for this role,” Board Chair Liz Pierre said. “After thoughtful consideration, the Board believes President Gallot is best positioned to lead the University of Louisiana System to new heights in the coming years.”
Named Grambling’s 10th president in 2016, Gallot led the institution through a period of historic growth including setting new enrollment records and a 200 percent improvement in the institution’s fiscal health score.
“I am incredibly honored to have the opportunity to serve the students, faculty, staff and Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System,” Gallot said. “The sense of Systemness created by Dr. Henderson is something I look forward to carrying on by leveraging the collective strength of 90,000 students as the driver of higher education in the state of Louisiana.”
Gallot earned a Bachelor of Arts in history from Grambling and a juris doctorate from Southern University School of Law. He is currently pursuing a doctorate of organizational leadership from Southeastern University in Lakeland, Fla. He has also completed leadership training from Harvard University’s Senior Executives in State and Local Government at the John F. Kennedy School of Government.
He will succeed Dr. Jim Henderson whom the Board named earlier this evening to fill the presidential vacancy at Louisiana Tech University. Information about the search to replace Gallot at Grambling will be announced at a later date.
“Rick is ideally suited to carry on this work and take it to the next level,” said current UL System President and CEO Dr. Jim Henderson. “His character, leadership acumen, and political instincts will ensure the UL System continues to advance at an even more rapid pace.”
Gallot will begin his new role January 1.