For the first time in decades, Southeastern has established a new college to further broaden students’ pathways to success.

BY ALEIGH SANDERS

Southeastern has a new college. Approved by the University of Louisiana System and Louisiana Board of Regents in March 2023, the new College of Honors and Excellence houses the University Honors Program and the Center for Student Excellence.

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Tena Golding cited several elements that contributed to and advanced the installation of this sixth college at Southeastern. “Several factors have prompted the decision, including the continued growth of the Honors Program, the success of Center for Student Excellence initiatives, the recommendations surfacing in the work of the Strategic Enrollment Management Task Force on specialized recruiting and retention efforts, and the unexpected departure of Chief Student Success Officer Lorett Swank,” Golding explained.

In announcing the potential installation of the new college, Golding emphasized the significance of the College of Honors and Excellence.

“Creation of the College of Honors and Excellence provides a banner to showcase Southeastern’s core values of excellence and caring, increases recognition of the Center for Student Excellence efforts, enhances the prestige of our Honors Program, extends successful initiatives and resources to more students, and will help attract and retain highly qualified and diverse students,” she said.

A longtime faculty member, Interim Dean of the College of Honors and Excellence Claire Procopio began teaching at Southeastern in 2005 and was instated as the undergraduate coordinator of the Department of Communication and Media Studies in 2008. She maintained the role until 2016, when she was appointed as the Honors Program director.

Procopio’s dedicated efforts to teaching and aiding students have been an asset to the University. These efforts were recognized by the University in 2017 with the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.

In fact, the Honors Program has recently excelled under Procopio’s leadership. Enrollment reached a record high in 2022-2023, with a 41 percent increase in the size of the Honors Program.

“Students in our college have the opportunity to take small classes around a theme, interact with an academic advisor focused on their success, participate in living-learning communities that build connections, conduct research, enjoy mentoring, and emerge as leaders on campus and beyond,” said Procopio. She also stated, “I am incredibly proud of the students who join our college and their
impressive achievements.”

The future of the College of Honors and Excellence is bright, and it will continue to positively impact the University community for years to come.

For more information regarding the College of Honors and Excellence, email cse@southeastern.edu.