A Louisiana Supreme Court Associate Justice has now been named the 21st president of Northwestern State University of Louisiana.
James Genovese was officially voted by the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors to take on the role of NSU president during the board’s special session meeting.
Before the meeting geared towards the finalist’s interview, UL System President Rick Gallot took a moment to recognize former NSU President Marcus Jones who was present at the meeting.
Jones will rejoin the UL System staff in August as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.
The board began the presidential search discussion by allowing the public to have a comment. This is when NSU Alumni Association President Leah Sherman Middlebrook read a resolution to the board.
“Now therefore let it be resolve, that the directors of the Northwestern State University Alumni Association honorably endorse James Genovese as the next president and respectfully request the Board of Supervisors select James Genovese as the next president of Northwestern State University, unanimously approved at a special meeting of the board of directors on July 17,” Middlebrook said as she finished reading the resolution.
The board then proceeded to interview Genovese for the position. With questions regarding dealing with budget cuts, plans for student retention and his vision for the institution.
“My vision is to reinvigorate and rejuvenate Northwestern,” Genovese said. “I’m not in it to lose; I don’t like to lose.”
Genovese was accompanied by his wife Martha Janes Genovese during the interview process.
“It means so much to me that I would be willing to forgo the remaining two years of my term to help the institution that allowed me to get where I am today,” Genovese said.
He plans to increase recruiting efforts, improve marketing and advertising so that people know all that NSU has to offer, he said.
After the interview, the board went into executive session. The motion for Genovese to be voted as NSU president was called by UL System Board member Joe Salter and seconded by UL System Board member John Noble.
“Now President Genovese, you’ve been selected as the 21st president of Northwestern State University, we look forward to working together as you begin your tenure,” Mark Romero UL System Board Chair said.
NSU Student Government Association president and a non-voting member of the Presidential Search Committee responded to the news of the new president.
“As Student Body President, it was an honor to serve on this most recent Presidential Search Committee! During my time on the Committee, I can rest assured that our decision, as a collective, was made taking a multitude of factors into account, but most of all, I ensured that our choice would have a positive impact on the successes of our student body,” Terrell Woodard said. “I am looking forward to working alongside Justice Genovese to further the initiatives and needs of the Student Body so that we can continue to bring our dear Northwestern State University to new heights!”
Genovese is set to take on his role as president in August.
