Dr. Randy Moffett was selected to be president of Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond in 2001. He has been affiliated with the university for more than 25 years.

What other positions have you held at Southeastern?

I have held a variety of staff, faculty and administrative positions. While working on my doctorate at LSU, I accepted a staff position as assistant registrar, and later became director of the Division of Continuing Education and Special Activities. Later, I joined the faculty, teaching in the College of Education and Human Development and moving up to professor and dean of the college and then vice provost. Under Dr. Sally Clausen, I was appointed provost and vice president for academic affairs. I was then appointed interim president for six months, until my appointment as president in December 2001.

What is your greatest accomplishment as president of the university?

I think the most significant accomplishment during my tenure so far would have to be steering the university’s ongoing focus on academic achievement among our students, while maintaining a fairly stable enrollment of approximately 15,500. Southeastern has implemented quality admission standards ahead of the schedule set by the Board of Regents. We have emphasized that students coming to Southeastern must be adequately prepared for the college experience. That effort is paying off; our entering freshman class in fall 2004 had an average ACT score of 21, above both the state and national norms. But this has been a team effort, involving all elements of the university.

In your opinion, what’s on the horizon for education in this country?

We face continual change and the challenge of keeping abreast of changing technology and how this affects education. Of course, there are always budgetary challenges and the necessity of having programs and an environment that is attractive to today’s students.

What are college students like today? How have they changed over the years?

It’s hard to define a “typical” college student today. Nearly all of them are juggling jobs and education. Some have spouses and children, as well. The average age of our undergraduates is 23, and almost one-quarter of our students are over 25. That means educational institutions need to provide opportunities for these individuals to continue their education through distance learning via the Internet. Today’s students are very tech-savvy, and they expect their educational institutions to be modern learning centers that utilize the latest in technology to meet their educational needs.

What would you tell high school students getting ready to enter college?

Louisiana offers college students a wide variety of educational options and opportunities. Tuition is relatively low, compared to many states, and TOPS is making higher education possible for many students. It’s important that students don’t waste these opportunities. They should begin preparing for college early by taking the TOPS curriculum so they can meet admission requirements and by enrolling in college courses while still in high school, if this is possible.

What do you like about Hammond?

Hammond is a relatively small city, with many of the advantages that you find in larger urban areas—good restaurants, lots of entertainment opportunities. The presence of a university contributes significantly to the quality of life here, as well, offering area residents numerous opportunities for continuing educational programs and cultural events. And the Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts, located downtown and owned and operated by the university, provides this region with a first-rate performing arts facility that would be the envy of any city.

How do you spend your free time?

My two favorite past-times have been playing golf and reading. Now I must add spending time with my new grandson.

What is your motto?

“The only thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s conscience.”

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