Dr. Aubrey Gantt was appointed the Chancellor of Southern University Shreveport (SUSLA) in March 2023. She is a Shreveport native and a SUSLA graduate. She began her professional education at SUSLA where she served in numerous positions.
Since her appointment as chancellor there are many reports of turmoil between the facility/staff and Dr. Gantt. A former long time faculty member who has recently retired advised that over 30 facility and staff have left since Gantt assumed the top position by retirement and resignation.
The SUSLA website lists over 40 open employment positions including :
- Dean of Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, and Education
- Dean of Business, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
- Executive Director for Institutional Research and Planning
- Director of the Louisiana Small Business Development Center
- Professors/instructors for Instructional Designer, Department of Engineering & Technology, English, Business, Music, Math, and others
- Executive Director of Workforce Development and Continuing Education
- Chief of Police
- University Registrar
Reportedly, qualified persons have applied for many of the open positions that Gantt has not filled. The many openings certainly hinder the effectiveness of SUSLA's educational goals.
Enrollment at SUSLA had declined in the last five years for many reasons. Reportedly, one of these is the refusal of Gantt to fully endorse online education for students.
Gantt's relationship with the SUSLA Foundation is strained. This despite the fact that the Foundation raises substantial moneys for the SUSLA campus.
Others in the community insist that Gantt is doing a great job. These supporters say that she inherited a school with many ineffective and non-diligent faculty and staff members. They say that she has faced institutional resistance that is hindering her performance.
Gantt is a hometown lady and the first female chancellor of SUSLA. These facts have likely shielded her from public criticism.
Additionally, the ardent supporters of Southern University and SUSLA are less than anxious to publicize any detriment information pertaining to the Southern system.