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Richard Nelson’s leadership as president of Louisiana Community and Technical Colleges (LCTC) comes at a pivotal time. Billions of dollars are being invested in Louisiana as a result of recent reforms, with projects expected to create more than 100,000 new jobs. Nelson is positioning LCTC to fill these jobs by preparing students for high-wage careers in tech, logistics, manufacturing, energy, and construction.
“This unprecedented capital investment has created expanded workforce needs and opportunities,” Nelson says. “At least 70 percent of these new jobs will require the degrees and certifications we provide. We need to step up our game with more resources, more partnerships, more collaboration.
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Top Executives: Richard Nelson, President; Joseph F. Marin, VP of Operations; Toby Comeaux, VP of Administration; Dr. Chandler LeBoeuf, VP of Education
Address: 265 S. Foster, Baton Rouge, LA 70806
Phone: 225.922.2800
Website: lctcs.edu
LCTC reaches every corner of the state, with 12 colleges serving 130,000 students across 65 instructional sites and producing 38,000 graduates annually. LCTC offers associate degrees, technical diplomas, industry-based credentials, and adult education programs in numerous fields.
Customized training is also available, Nelson says, and points to the new data center being built in north Louisiana as a prime example. Meta’s $10 billion AI-optimized data center in Richland Parish is expected to generate hundreds of jobs directly and thousands indirectly.
“We worked with the building contractors to build a curriculum and training program that students can complete in just a few weeks,” Nelson says. “Every student in our first two cohorts received a job offer upon completion.”
That kind of collaboration is taking place all across the state, as LCTC works hand-in-hand with companies like Hyundai Steel in Ascension Parish and LNG facilities statewide.
Right now, the average student age is 26, “but we see an opportunity to reach students earlier,” says Nelson. “We’d like to be the primary choice of education and training for young people who want to make a solid living and earn good wages in a much shorter time than a 4-year college degree requires.”
LCTC reaches every corner of the state, with 12 colleges serving 130,000 students across 65 instructional sites and producing 38,000 graduates annually.
Nelson was a natural choice for LCTC president. In his previous role as Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Revenue and a one-term member of the House of Representatives, he was known for addressing issues like workforce development, education, and the state’s economy.
Although he has been in his new position for just two months, he says he’s received plenty of support and encouragement.
“This is the best job I’ve ever had,” he says without hesitation. “I really think that the mission of this system is one of the most honorable in the state and one of the most impactful that we can have on the future of Louisiana.”
