Louisiana State University has announced that Wade Rousse will be the next president of the university.

He grew up in Golden Meadow, Louisiana and attended McNeese University in 1989. He would leave after three years to return back to Southeast Louisiana to be closer with his family. 

Rousse graduated from Nicholls State University where he earned his bachelor’s degree in 1993. He was a first generation college student.

Rousse worked his way up through the ranks of the marine transportation business and was encouraged to further his education. He would proceed to earn a master’s degree from the University of New Orleans in 2002. 

While pursuing his doctorate, he also taught classes as an adjunct faculty member. It was during this time when he and his wife, Angela, would fall in love with higher education. 

Rousse returned to Mcneese in 2019 to become the dean of the College of Business. Later on in 2020, Rousse became the vice president of university advancement.