McNeese State University ushered in a brand new era over the summer. Wade Rousse was appointed as the eighth president of the university by the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System in April.

Former McNeese President Daryl Burckel announced he would step down in December 2023 after seven years in the role.

Rousse has worked with McNeese since 2019, most recently holding the position of executive vice president. His previous roles include vice president of university advancement as well as dean and professor in the College of Business.

His connection to McNeese goes back even further. He completed the first three years of his undergraduate studies on McNeese’s campus before transferring to Nicholls to finish his degree.

There he earned a bachelor’s degree in business. He also holds a master’s in business administration from the University of New Orleans, and a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

He also brings prior administrative and academic experience from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Ariz.

Rousse was a finalist alongside Andy Benoit, vice president of enrollment management at Texas A&M University in Corpus Christi. Both candidates were interviewed during a special board meeting on Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Baton Rouge.

“I’m proud to be a member of the McNeese family — a family consisting of faculty, staff, students and community that continue to pull together to make sure that we advance our university to be able to change lives for generations to come,” Rousse said at the meeting. “Looking back, I’m humbled to have played a small role on a leadership team that navigated these challenges and obstacles over the past four years.”

On July 1, 2024, Rousse held a press conference to announce his executive staff and present plans for the university. His main focuses for his tenure are enrollment stabilization, streamlined operations and morale.

McNeese’s executive team includes Senior Vice President of Student Affairs Kedrick Nicholas, Interim Vice President of Business Affairs April Broussard, Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs Michael Buckles and Vice President of Athletics and External Affairs Heath Schroyer.