LSUE’s fifth chancellor Dr. Nancee Sorenson, who, was introduced at a meet and greet at the Acadian Center on Monday, plans a series of listening sessions on and off campus.
“From that then I think we are going to craft a strategic plan to keep the trajectory going up for LSUE,” she said.
Sorenson arrived on campus on June 22 and was on duty that day, she said.
Sorenson was the president at Hillsborough Community College, Brandon Campus in Florida.
“What is a little bit different is the autonomy,” she said of her new job.
The Brandon Campus was part of a five-campus district, she said.
“My feeling is in talking with some of my other co-chancellors is that we have a little more autonomy in our own community to set the course and chart the future with President (F. King) Alexander’s support, of course, and that of the Board of Supervsiors,” she said.
“I think I’m looking forward to that autonomy of really digging deep with our people here,” she said.
Alexander introduced Sorenson at Monday’s event attended by community leaders, LSU and LSUE staff.
“We understand the true mission of LSUE,” Alexander said.
Alexander said the most important issue is that social mobility is enabled through education.
“That is truly the mantra of this country and LSUE is a great model. The vast majority of students that come to LSUE are first generation students. They go on to do amazing things not just for themselves, but for their families,” he said.
Sorenson comes to LSUE with a great deal of success, he said. Hillborough Community College is one of the largest community colleges in Florida, he said.
Alexander said he is “thrilled to death to have her as part of the LSU team.”
Sorenson said, “I just want to say that it is an absolute joy to be here.
“I’ve been met with such open arms and welcoming words. It has been amazing. I want to thank the people in the room that were on the committee that helped select me. I’m very indebted to President Alexander for selecting me to be your new chancellor,” she said.
“This placed captured my heart. I just fell in love with this area, this campus. What an honor and privilege it is going to be to be part of the LSU university system,” she said.
Sorenson announced she plans to live at the chancellor’s residence on the campus.
“We will start having events there sometime in the near future because I really believe that this is your home too,” she said.
Sorenson said she plans to maintain the momentum established by previous chancellor Kimberly Russell and interim chancellor Bill Crowe.
“We want to invest in our community. We want to invest in our students, in our faculty and improving this campus so that it really benefits the entire community and serves your needs,” she said.
Mary Werner, chair-elect of the LSU Board of Supervisors, said Sorenson will continue enrollment growth and provide what the student body needs.
“I just love Nancee. I’ve gotten to met her in person the last few weeks and think she is going to bring a whole new perspective to LSUE, but understands the tradition of our community here and how important LSUE is in the Tri-Parish area. She is going to bring a a lot of energy to the campus,” Werner said.
Sorenson earned a doctorate in educational administration from the University of Texas at Austin, and a master’s degree in agency counseling and a bachelor’s degree in psychology, both from Indiana State University.
