The LSU Board of Supervisors swore in University alumna Valencia Jones as its newest member Friday.
Jones is Gov. John Bel Edwards’ fourth appointment to the Board of Supervisors since he assumed office in January. She will replace former Board Chairman Ray Lasseigne as a representative for the Fourth Congressional District.
In May, Edwards announced the reappointment of New Orleans businessman Stephen Perry as a member-at-large, as well as the appointments of New Orleans attorney James Williams and Lafayette attorney Glenn Armentor.
Jones said not many people outside of the University’s faculty and staff understand the complexity of University operations or the full depth of the challenges the University faces. Her first meeting was an eye-opening experience, she said.
The meeting included the approval of the 2016-17 fiscal year budget, a report from President F. King Alexander highlighting the University’s shortcomings in faculty compensation and retention and a briefing from the LSU Foundation addressing below-average alumni donations compared to peer institutions in the Southeastern Conference. Board members also entered an executive session to review Alexander’s performance as system president, afterward calling his review overwhelmingly positive.
Jones said she would like to focus on improving the University’s fundraising efforts and facilities during her term.
Ensuring students of the LSU Health Sciences Center in Shreveport receive the best possible education and resources is another issue worth significant attention, Jones said. On Aug. 24, the Louisiana Board of Regents released a financial health report identifying LSU HSC Shreveport as being under significant financial stress, well below the other system campuses.
Jones said she sees a number of opportunities for the University system to become stronger and hopes to be an asset who can help guide as much growth as possible during her term. Leadership, business experience, and a willingness and aptitude for service are several of the characteristics Jones hopes to bring to the position, she said.
Jones also brings diversity to a Board comprised overwhelmingly of white males. Jones is the second woman and third African-American currently sitting on the Board. Jones said it’s important that all students feel equal ownership of the University, and increasing diversity on the Board is one way to achieve that goal.
“Sometimes, when people are not minorities, it’s difficult to see something from the perspective of a minority,” Jones said. “There are a lot of minority students that we serve, and we hope to bring more here, and we need to make sure that we are properly engaging those students.”
The University graduated its most diverse class this May, including 697 African-American graduates and 3,485 female graduates, according to the University’s media center. Ensuring all students’ needs are met will be important as the University aims to continue growing, Jones said.
Jones said her colleagues on the Board have openly welcomed her, and she’s honored to serve the University. Service is one of her greatest passions, and being able to serve students and advance the status of the University is an incredible opportunity, she said.
“Education is one of the ways that people are able to elevate themselves in life, and get the things from life that they need,” Jones said. “I was amazed just to have this opportunity because I’m able to touch the lives of so many young people, in hopes that it will help them have more opportunities.”
Outside of her service on the Board, Jones is a financial services professional with New York Life Insurance Company and NYLIFE Securities, according to the Board of Supervisors’ website. Jones also serves on the board of Natchitoches Jazz and R&B Festival and volunteers with the Les Amies of Natchitoches service organization, she said.