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Sponsored by Shell
Shell is deepening its roots in Louisiana with a transformative $5 million investment in Southern University and A&M College. The gift underscores Shell’s commitment to developing local talent, advancing science and engineering education, and building a diverse workforce equipped for the future of energy and technology.
For Shell, the partnership with Southern University deepens a relationship that began several years ago and continues to grow through shared goals in workforce development and research excellence. As one of only 12 strategic university partners nationwide, Southern plays a key role in Shell’s broader mission to cultivate workforce readiness and drive innovation in the communities where it operates.
“Southern University is a strategic partner for Shell because we see tremendous potential in its students and programs,” says Darylene Pugh, Shell’s co-executive sponsor for Southern University. “We have operations throughout Louisiana, and investing in this campus means investing in the very people who will one day power our facilities and lead our industry.”
The $5 million investment will support multiple initiatives designed to strengthen student success and expand STEM opportunities. A key focus is the expansion of the Student Success Center into a dynamic resource hub that empowers students to master their coursework, build career readiness, and connect with employers. The enhanced center will offer tutoring, résumé workshops, mock interviews, and professional development programs—providing the tools students need to thrive academically and confidently transition from classroom to career.
“Ultimately, we want every student to graduate not only with a degree, but with a job,” Pugh says. “That’s the goal – helping them develop both the technical and soft skills they need to succeed.”
The investment will also fund critical infrastructure and curriculum improvements, including equipment for the Unit Operations Lab to support Southern’s forthcoming chemical engineering program, a major milestone that will expand opportunities for students and strengthen Louisiana’s industrial talent pipeline.
“Shell’s support has truly been a catalyst,” says Dr. Lealon Martin, dean of the College of Sciences and Engineering. “Their involvement accelerated our ability to launch the chemical engineering program, helping us design lab facilities, align our curriculum with industry needs, and even motivating other partners to step up with additional equipment donations.”
Dr. Martin explains that the partnership began with strategic conversations about aligning Southern’s academic programs with industry needs. “Shell didn’t just provide funding – they offered guidance,” he says. “They helped us think about how to structure our programs in a way that makes Southern a strong partner not only for Shell, but for the entire energy and manufacturing sector.”
Recognizing the need for strong leadership and coordination, Shell has also embedded a full-time program manager within Southern University to help guide implementation. Melissa Dotson, a senior Shell leader on temporary assignment to the university, works directly with faculty and administrators to align the university’s academic goals with workforce needs. Her role, Pugh explains, has accelerated progress that might otherwise have taken years.
Together, Shell and Southern University are building momentum that reaches far beyond campus. Their partnership not only strengthens educational pathways but also helps ensure Louisiana’s energy and manufacturing industries have the skilled workforce they need to thrive in the decades ahead.
“Louisiana is seeing tens of billions in new industrial investment,” Martin adds. “That means a growing demand for engineers, operators and technicians. With this kind of support, we can keep our students in-state, give them the training they need and ensure Louisiana companies have a homegrown workforce ready to take on these opportunities.”
