The newly-hired Executive Vice President and Provost Stacia Haynie has spent her entire career at the University. With her new position, she’s ready to help students reach their full potential.

As executive vice president and provost, Haynie oversees multiple divisions of the University. She is responsible for all academic enterprises for every college, LSU’s academic presence online and everything under student affairs — including Greek Life and admissions. Being an interim for eight months helped her understand and be adequately prepared for the position.

Haynie received her bachelor’s degree in theater in 1981 and a master’s degree in political science in 1986 from Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas. She received her Ph.D. in political science from the University of North Texas in 1990.

After joining LSU’s Department of Political Science in 1990, Haynie had many different positions in the 29 years leading up to her position as executive vice president and provost.

Haynie was a political science professor, served as the chair of a department, served as dean of the college of humanities and social sciences and was assigned interim executive vice president and provost after Richard Koubek accepted a job at Michigan Technological University. After eight months as an interim, she was appointed to the position permanently.

“It was just a dream come true to be asked to step in and serve as provost,” Haynie said. “I’ve loved every position I’ve ever held here so, when asked to serve, I certainly was appreciative of the opportunity. I loved being the dean but this was another opportunity to serve the campus.”

Since Haynie has taken the position, she has worked to broaden the college experience for students. Understanding the change in student expectations throughout her 29 years at the University, she is pushing forward the concept of taking classes online, while also making sure it is properly done.
“Part of the online experience is ensuring it has the same quality and rigor,” Haynie said. “It’s a really exciting space for us.”
It is expected that one of three students will take at least one online class in their four years at the University. Haynie believes students will take all their classes online and step on campus only to receive their diploma in the near future.
Whether a prospective student decides to attend classes on campus or on a computer, Haynie assures all students are put on a path for the same goal.
“It’s critical for both me and President Alexander that every student that comes to LSU, we have confidence in their ability to succeed and that we ensure they cross that stage,” Haynie said. “The goal is that final handshake.”
Haynie has also been focused on improving the livelihood of the faculty, and her previous experience in various positions at the University has helped give her an understanding of the changes that need to be made and the issues that must be focused on.

“One of the areas we want to ensure we’re moving the University forward is to enhance the support for the creative and scholarly works of the faculty,” Haynie said. “Our faculty are creating the knowledge that is the marketplace of ideas, and they’re walking straight into our classrooms and sharing it with our students.”

The hiring of Haynie for the highly-coveted position is a step of progress for the University’s commitment to a diverse staff. Along with her hiring, it has been widely published that the 2018-2019 freshman class is the most diverse in the University’s history.

Haynie grew up in Henrietta, Texas, a small suburb of Wichita Falls, where she recalled picking cotton and driving a tractor at her grandfather’s ranch at 8 years old. She said she knows the importance of a college education because she’s seen herself go from a small North Texas city to the executive vice president and provost of Louisiana’s premier university.

The position is a culmination of all the tasks Haynie has worked for in her entire career. Her passion for seeing students succeed and get the right education makes the job personal for her, and shaking a student’s hand on stage is the ultimate gift for her efforts, Haynie said.

“I care very deeply and passionately about this institution, the quality of the students here is just stunning,” Haynie said. “It’s such a joy to work with them and on behalf of them.”