One of the first events on former NASA chief and new Chancellor Sean O’Keefe’s agenda Monday will be to meet with some of the student body’s most energetic leaders to discuss higher education.
Leadership LSU — a program that provides 25 University student leaders with the opportunity to learn about various facets of Louisiana — has invited some of the state’s education experts to sit on a panel and discuss the challenges Louisiana faces in its struggle to improve the educational system.
“Louisiana ranks near the bottom in education when we wish we ranked near the top,” said Randy Gurie, Leadership LSU faculty adviser and director of University special events.
The purpose of the session, Gurie said, is for student leaders to ask the panel about funding for the University and also for education from kindergarten through high school.
Gurie said the discussion is a chance for the students to get to know their new chancellor and for him to get to know some of the student leaders at the University.
“This is a great opportunity for O’Keefe to learn what the students’ concerns are in regards to education,” Gurie said.
Gurie said he thinks education is one of the main problems in Louisiana.
“We need to improve education,” Gurie said. “Until we do, Louisiana will continue to put out a mediocre product.”
Tammy Sam, a member of Leadership LSU and psychology and English senior, said she looks forward to hearing O’Keefe’s thoughts on the educational situation in Louisiana.
“I am excited to see him in his new position,” Sam said. “Who better to talk about higher education than with your chancellor?”
Sam said she has a particular interest in hearing O’Keefe’s plans for maintaining a relationship with students as he steps into his new role as chancellor.
“There is such a small interaction between students and the faculty,” Sam said. “I want to know how he plans to link himself with the students.”
Jason Droddy, executive assistant to the chancellor, said O’Keefe will spend his first day as chancellor in meetings and become oriented with campus.
“We want to get him familiar with LSU and Louisiana,” Droddy said. “He’s ready to get started.”
O’Keefe will sit on the panel with Joe Savoie, Louisiana’s commissioner of higher education, Pat Smith, president of the East Baton Rouge School Board, Jackie Mims, former president of the East Baton Rouge School Board, and Toni Phillips, staff member of the Louisiana Department of Education. Doug Braymer, former vice president of Academic Affairs of the LSU system, will moderate the discussion.