IMPACT - Economic & Community Impact Study
UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
ECONOMIC IMPACT STUDY
SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA UNIVERSITY
Message from the President
Since its founding in 1925, Southeastern Louisiana University has focused on the communities it serves. Southeastern has a solid tradition of development partnerships and programs that enhance the quality of life in southeast Louisiana.
This report on the economic and community impacts of Southeastern highlights our multi-faceted role in serving the people who live throughout the region. Our mission -- to lead the educational, economic and cultural development of the region – ties Southeastern intimately to the lives of our residents. The impact goes far beyond the funding of construction and capital projects, the research grants, or the dollars and cents that faculty, staff and students earn and spend in their communities. As one of the area’s largest employers, those economic contributions of Southeastern are very visible.
Beyond that, however, are the fundamental contributions Southeastern makes to develop an educated citizenry, a workforce prepared for today’s knowledge-based businesses, and numerous cultural, creative and other resources that contribute to our quality of life and the wellbeing of our region.
Southeastern willingly shares its faculty and staff expertise by working closely with area school systems to strengthen K-12 education, by cooperating with government and private agencies to strengthen their capabilities, by working to improve the general health and social fabric of our communities, by contributing to a vibrant cultural landscape, and by providing opportunities for lifelong learning. Our students, likewise, freely contribute thousands of hours of service to area groups and organizations. No price tag could be placed on these contributions.
Higher education is a key component of economic development. In this 21st Century global economy – one that is experiencing stressors that have not been seen for generations – our universities are nothing short of critical in helping to lead states and the nation back to prosperity.
This report showcases some of the many ways Southeastern factors into the wellbeing of southeast Louisiana. We remain committed to helping Louisiana grow and prosper.