Troy Blanchard was named Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences last week. Blanchard previously served as interim dean and administrative dean and remains a professor of sociology.
LSU President F. King Alexander lauded Blanchard’s accomplishments as an administrator in a statement announcing his promotion.
“[Blanchard] has been widely recognized for his ground-breaking sociology and public policy research, which secured more than $4.5 million in funding to LSU,” Alexander said. “His leadership has delivered tremendous growth for LSU in research, student success, faculty advancement and fundraising, and I know that he will continue to do great things for our university in the future.”
Blanchard attended the University for both his undergraduate career and for his Ph.D. Blanchard attributed his success as a professor and administrator to his mentors in the college of Humanities and Social Sciences.
“My undergraduate faculty mentors convinced me that I had the potential to succeed at LSU and in my career,” Blanchard said. “While they were game-changers, they are not unique. What they did for me is what every HSS faculty and staff member does everyday for our students.”
Blanchard has been involved in many University research and fundraising efforts. He was part of a research team that studied the effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on coastal populations by measuring resident stress levels.
Blanchard helped found the Louisiana Population Estimates program, and worked to promote the Fierce for the Future Campaign, the largest higher-eduction fundraising campaign in Louisiana history.
As for future endeavors for the HSS College, Blanchard said he is committed to further improving its best qualities.
“My primary objectives as dean include growing student enrollments in our college, supporting research efforts of our faculty, ensuring the success of our students, and building a sense of community among our faculty, staff and students,” Blanchard said.
The rapid growth of the HSS College student body in the last two years bodes well for the future, Blanchard said.
“I am incredibly grateful for the support of the LSU community and our many key partners across the university,” Blanchard said. “I take enormous pride in knowing that our college is leading the way for the next chapter of our university’s rich history and advancing the state ofLouisiana.”