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What do you see as Baton Rouge’s greatest assets – biggest differentiators – in attracting investment and talent?
“Baton Rouge has a thriving community college that is part of the Louisiana Community & Technical College System (LCTCS). Baton Rouge Community College is a tremendous asset right now. We produce more than 4,200 graduates a year and less than 20% transfer to our universities. Where do they go? They go to work. So, when you ask what our biggest asset is, I would say BRCC, especially in providing a direct workforce pipeline. For companies looking for reliability and value BRCC offers both, specifically supporting the workforce needs in Baton Rouge and across the state. We make sure our students are ready for the workforce with short-term, industry-specific training for entry-level jobs quickly, and upskilling in higher-paying technical roles.”
Are there assets the Capital Region needs to leverage more effectively?
“We have powerful assets — great colleges, strong industry corridors, and a vibrant culture — but we don’t package them as boldly as we should. There is an opportunity for us to engage more with the great colleges in our region to solve the workforce challenges of Baton Rouge.Greater coordination is needed and no one college can go alone. LSU can’t go alone, Southern can’t go alone, and BRCC can’t go alone. The men and women who live in this city and cherish Baton Rouge don’t see us cooperating. They see rivalry—Tiger, Jaguar, Bear—but what difference does that make to our industry partners? They want talent and skills. We need to tighten those relationships and coordinate our efforts.”
What challenges must the Capital Region overcome to meet the workforce needs of the future economy?
“I think there is an opportunity for us to seize the moment to provide the services that this community and this state need. Attracting and keeping talent requires clear pathways. People want to see where a short-term credential leads and how they can keep advancing. When employers, colleges, universities and community partners work together, we can build a talent pipeline that grows our economy for the long term. We were recently in a meeting with LSU, the Workforce Commission, LED, and industry partners. The dean of the LSU engineering program said there is an opportunity for them to work more closely with BRCC because of the tremendous demand for industrial construction talent. These conversations can be the solution to address the workforce challenges in Baton Rouge.”
Baton Rouge residents are notoriously self-critical about their own city. Why is that, and how do we fix it?
“We’ve always been honest about our challenges. And it is not a bad thing to be honest about our challenges. But we forget to celebrate our wins. We don’t talk about the good. LSU, Southern, and BRCC are all doing amazing work for the people of Baton Rouge and our state. The remedy is simple: tell our success stories loudly and often, and pair them with real solutions. When people see progress and feel included in it, pride grows and the entire community becomes more optimistic.”
Get out your crystal balls. What is your five-year outlook for your organization and the Capital Region?
“I think we are at a pivotal moment. BRCC is entering a growth window. The college has grown significantly over the last six years under my leadership, but more importantly over 4,200 students are graduating and completing each year. That growth allows us to expand workforce and certified training that will strengthen the entire region’s future. Short-term, industry-based credentials are going to be game-changing in the future.”
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