See Yourself at LSU New Orleans
Anchored between Lake Pontchartrain and one of the most remarkable cities in the world is a university with strong academic programs, real careers, and people who show up for each other. LSU New Orleans is where Privateers make their mark.
What it means to be a Privateer
You don't have to choose between a school that knows your name and one that opens doors. LSU New Orleans offers the access and affordability to get you here, the support to keep you moving, and the LSU network to take you further. This is where opportunity gets personal.
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College of Liberal Arts and Education
Where better to study jazz than New Orleans? This LSU New Orleans specialized program is celebrated for distinction in teaching.
Henry Bernstein College of Business Administration
Our school offers one of the best known bachelor's and master's
degrees in Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Administration.
Dr. Robert A. Savoie College of Engineering
We take our place among the best Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering programs in the world.
College of Sciences
Home to programs in the biological, physical, environmental, and mathematical sciences. Students gain knowledge and practical experience through laboratory work, research and hands-on learning.
Come and see
Plan a visit to LSU New Orleans and see for yourself what belonging to this community feels like.
News from campus
LSU New Orleans faculty, students, and alumni are making an impact across research, culture, and community. Stay current with the stories shaping university life and beyond.
A New Chapter, A Shared Tradition: Homecoming Returns Nov. 7
As LSU New Orleans prepares to celebrate its first Homecoming under its new name, the university is bringing together generations of Privateers to honor familiar traditions, create new memories, and celebrate the next chapter in its history.
This year's Homecoming festivities will feature returning favorites, new activities, and opportunities for students and alumni to reconnect with the university community.
For current students, the celebration represents an opportunity to embrace the excitement surrounding LSU New Orleans while continuing the traditions that have long defined the Privateer experience.
“Homecoming is always such a wonderful time of celebration and reflection on what it means to be a Privateer!” said Joy Ballard, Director of Student Involvement and Leadership. “I hope our current students see this new era as an opportunity to continue honoring all the things that make being a Privateer so great, but with a little extra energy and excitement.”
Several familiar traditions will return, including the annual tailgate, Homecoming Royalty elections, and the student organization competition for the Homecoming Spirit Award. Popular activities such as the petting zoo and silent disco will also be back.
This year will introduce new opportunities for students to participate, including a Tailgate Favorites Cookoff and invitations for students from select affinity groups to attend the Alumni Privateer Social.
Ballard said she is especially excited to see student organizations compete for the first LSU New Orleans Homecoming Spirit Award and to crown the university's first Homecoming Royalty in purple and gold.
While students look forward to making new memories, Homecoming also offers alumni an opportunity to reconnect with the university that helped shape their lives.
For Natalie Beck, LSU New Orleans' new Director of Alumni Engagement, the celebration carries special meaning. An alumna herself, Beck earned her first two degrees from the university in 2005 and her master's degree in 2007. Now, she returns to campus professionally as the university begins a new chapter.
“Welcoming alumni home under a new name means telling them that those experiences still count,” Beck said. “This Homecoming is a chance to say that every graduate, no matter which name was on the sign, is part of one family.”
Beck emphasized that although the university's name has changed, the experiences, relationships, and traditions shared by generations of graduates remain part of its identity.
“You are not just being welcomed to something new. You are being welcomed back to something that grew because of you,” she said.
She also hopes Homecoming will strengthen connections between alumni and current students, creating opportunities to exchange experiences, advice and ideas.
“Alumni have wisdom about careers, resilience, and finding your path. Students have energy, fresh ideas, and a view of where the university is headed,” Beck said.
For Ballard, the significance of this year's celebration extends beyond the events themselves.
“I hope they remember the energy and excitement of this time in our university’s history,” Ballard said. “I hope they remember being part of something new and feeling genuinely excited to be a Privateer!”
Cheria Scaffidi, Executive Director of University Advancement and President of the LSU New Orleans Foundation, said Homecoming represents an opportunity to celebrate the university's legacy while looking ahead to its future.
“There’s a new energy on the Lakefront, and you can feel it! Homecoming brings generations of Privateers together to celebrate the legacy we’ve built and the exciting future we’re creating at LSU New Orleans. And our alumni are the heartbeat of both!”
As LSU New Orleans celebrates its first Homecoming under its new name, the occasion serves as a reminder that while the university continues to evolve, the traditions, memories, and connections that define the Privateer community remain.
Click here for a full list of events.
Four Finalists Named in Search for LSU New Orleans Chancellor
Four finalists have been selected in the search for LSU New Orleans' next chancellor, LSU System President Wade Rousse announced. The candidates will visit campus Nov. 3 and 4 to meet with faculty, staff, students and community members.
“LSU New Orleans has tremendous potential, and selecting the right leader is critical to realizing that potential,” Rousse said. “These four finalists bring a wide range of experience and proven leadership in higher education. I'm confident that our next chancellor will help us build on the university's strengths, expand opportunities for students and position LSU New Orleans for long-term success.”
The four finalists bring experience in university leadership, academic affairs, student success and institutional growth.
Meet the Finalists
Van Delden currently serves as provost and vice president for academic affairs at Winthrop University. He previously held leadership positions at the College of Charleston, Southeastern Louisiana University and USC Upstate. His background includes research in artificial intelligence and robotics, academic program development and securing funding for STEM initiatives. He earned his doctorate in computer science from the University of Central Florida.
Savoie is vice provost at the University of North Texas at Frisco and dean of its College of Applied and Collaborative Studies. He previously held leadership positions at Southern Methodist University, Utah Valley University and UT Dallas. His work focuses on technology, organizational improvement and higher education leadership. An LSU graduate, Savoie also holds an MBA from Nicholls State University and a doctorate from the University of North Texas.
Weiland currently serves as interim chancellor and chief administrative officer of LSU New Orleans, leading the university through its transition into the LSU System. She has more than 20 years of leadership experience in higher education, healthcare and economic development, including previous roles at Tulane University, the New Orleans Business Alliance and Ochsner Health. She earned her bachelor's degree from LSU and two master's degrees from the University of New Orleans.
Willis serves as senior vice president for enrollment and student engagement at Stephen F. Austin State University, where his leadership contributed to record freshman enrollment and a 7% increase in overall enrollment. He previously held leadership positions at California State University, Fresno, and within the University of Texas System. His experience includes student success, enrollment management and university administration. He earned his doctorate in educational management from Hampton University and is a UC Berkeley Executive Leadership Academy fellow.
Next Steps
The finalists will participate in campus visits Nov. 3 and 4, providing opportunities for the university community to learn more about each candidate and their vision for LSU New Orleans.
The chancellor search comes as LSU New Orleans continues its transition into the LSU System, with an emphasis on academic excellence, financial sustainability and expanding opportunities for students.
Computer Science Professor Dr. Abdullah Al Redwan Newaz Awarded NSF and LBRN Funding for Robotics Research
Dr. Abdullah Al Redwan Newaz, assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science at LSU New Orleans and director of the Autonomous Intelligent Robotics (AiR) Lab, has been awarded funding for two research projects that use robotics and artificial intelligence to address a shared challenge: how autonomous systems make decisions under uncertainty. The projects focus on water quality monitoring and robot-assisted therapy for children with autism spectrum disorder.
The first project, “ERI: AQUABOT: Advancing Water Quality Monitoring with an Intelligent Bot via Integrated Learning and Decision-Making,” received an award from the National Science Foundation and will run from August 2026 through April 2027.
The research focuses on improving how water quality is monitored across Louisiana’s coastal waters. Traditional monitoring relies on crews traveling by boat to collect samples at predetermined locations. While effective, the approach is costly and time-consuming and captures only a limited snapshot of conditions across large bodies of water.
Dr. Newaz’s team will develop an autonomous boat capable of determining where it should collect its next water sample based on what it has already learned. As the boat moves through the water, it will use its measurements to build a continuously updated map of water quality, identify areas where that map is least certain and navigate to those locations for additional sampling.
The key idea is to combine two tasks that are usually handled separately: learning from water-quality measurements and deciding where to measure next. Rather than following routes planned in advance, AQUABOT will adapt its route in real time based on the information it gathers.
Dr. Newaz will also receive funding for the project “Next Generation Multirobot Applied Behavior Analysis Therapy for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder” from the Louisiana Biomedical Research Network (LBRN) at LSU, which is supported by the National Institutes of Health. The project will also run from August 2026 through April 2027.
The project brings together researchers from multiple disciplines to explore how social robots can help expand access to applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy. ABA is widely used to support children with autism, but access is limited because treatment typically requires one-on-one sessions with trained therapists. The cost and scarcity of those services can create long waits for families seeking care.
Dr. Newaz and his collaborators will develop social robots designed to engage children ages 3 to 12 in interactive activities focused on skills such as turn-taking, joint attention and storytelling. The activities will incorporate core components of ABA therapy while allowing the robots to adjust difficulty in response to each child. Researchers will use standardized cognitive and behavioral assessments to measure changes over the course of the study.
The robots are not intended to replace therapists. Instead, the team envisions the technology as a way to extend the reach of clinicians, giving children additional opportunities to practice skills between appointments and in settings such as homes and schools.
Dr. Newaz is joined on the project by co-principal investigators Dr. Md Tamjidul Hoque, Dr. James Wagner, Dr. Ben Samuel and Dr. Elliott Beaton.
Together, the projects advance research at the intersection of robotics, artificial intelligence and real-world applications, with potential benefits for communities across Louisiana and beyond.
2026 Privateers Hall of Fame Class to Be Honored on Homecoming Weekend
Five standout figures in Privateer athletics history will be inducted into the LSU New Orleans Athletics Hall of Fame during Homecoming Weekend. The 2026 class includes Joey Favaloro, Carmen Reedscott, Brian Traxler, Xavier “Butch” Webster and Ted Wood.
Webster, who played basketball from 1969-71, became the program’s first All-American and remains the school record holder in both points per game (25.2) and rebounds per game (12.5). As a senior, he helped lead the Privateers to a 23-5 record and a No. 1 ranking in the final NCAA Division II AP Poll. Webster was selected by the Buffalo Braves in the 1971 NBA Draft.
Wood and Traxler, teammates from 1986-88, left their marks throughout the Privateer baseball record book. Wood still holds the program records for career batting average (.380) and runs scored (230). He also won a gold medal with Team USA at the 1988 Summer Olympics and was selected by the San Francisco Giants in the first round of the 1988 MLB Draft.
Traxler remains the program’s career home run leader with 49 and ranks second in career RBI with 206. He was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1988 MLB Draft and made his Major League debut with the Dodgers in 1990.
Reedscott was a two-time All-American with the women’s basketball program, earning honors in both 1984-85 and 1985-86. She scored 1,189 points and collected 665 rebounds during her Privateer career and continues to hold the program record for career field goal percentage with a minimum of 200 attempts at 55.9 percent.
Favaloro led the women’s basketball program for 24 seasons and holds the program record with 382 coaching wins. His teams captured the 1983 Women’s NIT championship, made the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance in 1986 and recorded seven 20-win seasons.
The 2026 Privateer Athletics Hall of Fame ceremony will take place Friday, Nov. 6, at the Homer Hitt Alumni Center as part of Homecoming Weekend. The reception begins at 6 p.m., followed by the program at 7 p.m. Tickets are $50.
Creative Writing Alumnus Bryan Washington Named 2026 MacArthur Fellow
LSU New Orleans Creative Writing Workshop alumnus Bryan Washington has been named a 2026 MacArthur Fellow, one of the nation’s most prestigious honors recognizing exceptional creativity.
Washington, who earned his MFA from the University of New Orleans in 2018, is a fiction writer known for stories exploring relationships, family, place and everyday life. His books include the short story collection Lot and the novels Memorial, Family Meal and Palaver. His writing has also appeared in The New Yorker, The New York Times Magazine and Granta.
Often referred to as a “genius grant,” the MacArthur Fellowship recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional creativity and the potential for significant future work. Fellows do not apply for the award and receive $800,000 in unrestricted funding over five years, allowing them to pursue their creative work without specific requirements.
Washington is one of the 2026 MacArthur Fellows selected from across a wide range of fields in the arts, sciences and humanities.
Exploring the Connection Between Reproduction and Healthy Aging
Cheng Shi, Ph.D., received a five-year, $1,862,500 award through the R35 “Maximizing Investigators’ Research” program for his project, “Investigating the role of lipid metabolism in germline-soma interactions and stress responses.” His research will explore how high levels of reproductive activity affect the health and lifespan of the rest of the body.
The research will focus on how the reproductive system communicates with the rest of the body, particularly through lipid metabolism, or how the body uses and stores fats. Dr. Shi hopes to fill an important gap in scientists’ understanding of how high reproductive activity affects overall health and whether changes in lipid metabolism could help the body meet increased reproductive demands while maintaining its health over time.
“This five-year grant gives us an incredible opportunity to investigate an area of biology that is still largely unexplored,” Dr. Shi said. “With the research facilities, students and collaborative environment at LSU New Orleans, we can study these connections at a much deeper level. Ultimately, we hope this work provides new insight into how reproductive health, metabolism and healthy aging are connected.”
Dr. Shi’s work reflects LSU New Orleans’ commitment to advancing research that addresses fundamental questions about health and aging. The grant will also create opportunities for students to participate in scientific research and gain hands-on experience while contributing to discoveries that could have an impact far beyond the laboratory.
What students say
Hear it straight from our community. Here’s what’s special about LSU New Orleans.
See yourself
here this fall
LSU New Orleans puts you in the middle of one of the most culturally alive cities in the country, with small classes and faculty who know your name. Tuition stays among the most affordable in the region, so your degree works for you from day one.
The numbers behind the story
An affordable education shouldn't be out of reach. At LSU New Orleans, nine out of ten incoming full-time students receive some form of financial assistance, and across all undergraduates, more than $41 million in financial aid and scholarships is awarded every year. On average, students who receive grants or scholarships get nearly $10,000 toward their education, putting a quality degree within reach.
90% of our students are employed two years after graduation according to Niche.com. LSU New Orleans has been ranked top in the state in lowest student debt and number one in Louisiana in highest early career salaries.
LSU New Orleans emerged as a public research institution committed to making higher education accessible to the region. The university developed strong academic programs while celebrating the city's distinctive cultural traditions, becoming a vital pathway for economic opportunity and regional prosperity.
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LSU New Orleans sits on the scenic shores of Lake Pontchartrain at 2000 Lakeshore Drive in New Orleans, LA 70148. You can take a virtual tour from home or schedule an in-person visit to experience the campus for yourself. View the campus map for a full layout and directions.
LSU New Orleans is consistently ranked among the nation's most affordable universities. Tuition varies based on residency status and credit hours. For a full breakdown of current rates and an estimated cost of attendance, visit the Tuition and Fees page.
LSU New Orleans offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs across multiple colleges. Whether you're exploring a specific major or just getting started, browse all programs of study to find the right fit.
Applying is straightforward: submit your application online, send official transcripts, and check your portal for your admission status. Visit the Apply page to get started.
Yes. On-campus housing is available in a variety of room types, so there's likely an option that fits your needs and budget. Spots fill up quickly, so it's worth applying early. Explore housing options and apply at The Office of Residential Life.
