Roland Mitchell named Dean of the College of Human Sciences & Education
11/27/2019
BATON ROUGE – LSU has named Roland Mitchell as dean of the College of Human Sciences & Education. Mitchell is the E.B “Ted” Robert Endowed Professor and interim dean of the College
of Human Sciences & Education at LSU. Mitchell will assume his role as dean on Dec.
6, 2019, pending Board of Supervisors approval.
“We are proud to name Dr. Roland Mitchell as the dean of LSU’s College of Human Sciences & Education,” said LSU President F. King Alexander. “He is widely recognized as an accomplished scholar and author, and his work has been critical to advancements on our campus, in our community and throughout the state. He is a great addition to our leadership team, and I am confident that he will continue to transform the educational experience here at LSU.”
A member of LSU’s School of Education faculty since 2005, Mitchell rose through the ranks to tenured full professor in 2016. Mitchell has served HSE in a variety of administrative roles including associate dean of Research Engagement & Graduate Studies from 2015-2018; associate dean for Research & Academic Services from 2016-2017; and interim dean of the college from 2018 to present.
“I am thrilled to have Dean Mitchell serve and lead as dean of the College of Human Sciences & Education,” said Stacia Haynie, executive vice president & provost. “Dean Mitchell received exceptional support from the campus community. His commitment to excellence in teaching and scholarship, and notable accomplishment in community service will build upon the colleges’ reputation for academic excellence and allow him to move the college forward in new and exciting ways.”
As interim dean, Mitchell focused on strategically advancing the interests of campus priorities through an emphasis on enrollment and retention, program development, facility enhancement, fundraising and diversity and inclusion. While associate dean, Mitchell’s appointment was dedicated to research, graduate studies and online programs. During this time, HSE experienced a significant increase in sponsored program awards.
“I am greatly honored to serve LSU and the College of Human Sciences & Education as dean,” said Mitchell. “My time as interim dean provided numerous opportunities to see the CHSE’s ‘Improving Quality of Life’ mantra in action, and now I look forward to advancing that service here on campus and beyond.”
Beyond his record as an administrator, Mitchell is celebrated as a researcher and author. Mitchell’s research theorizes the impact of historical and communal knowledge on postsecondary education. Mitchell has co-authored seven books and numerous scholarly works. His co-edited “Crisis of Campus Sexual Violence” was awarded an Outstanding Academic Titles, or OAT, award and was highlighted on the Top 25 Favorites list of the “Choice” editors. His contributions to the field of education have earned him an LSU Distinguished Faculty Award, an endowed professorship and selection as an SEC Academic Leadership Development Fellow.
Before his tenure at LSU, Mitchell was a graduate teaching assistant at the University of Alabama. He received his B.A. in history from Fisk University, M.Ed. in higher education from Vanderbilt University and Ph.D. in educational research from the University of Alabama.
Mitchell grew up in Nashville, Tenn., and has a deep appreciation for impactful community service. He currently sits on the advisory boards of the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services, Campus Federal Credit Union and the Louisiana Governor’s Taskforce on Community Policing and Reform. Mitchell lives in Baton Rouge with his wife and children.
Contact Ernie Ballard
LSU Media Relations
225-578-5685
eballa1@lsu.edu
or
Erica Hawthorne
LSU Office of Academic Affairs
225-578-2320
ericap@lsu.edu