Gov. Jeff Landry-endorsed candidate named Northwestern State University president

The University of Louisiana Board of Supervisors unanimously voted Thursday to name Associate State Supreme Court Justice James Genovese the next president of Northwestern State University.

The move to install Genovese, a nontraditional candidate who has no higher education administrative experience but does have the support of Gov. Jeff Landry, comes after a whirlwind search process.

The position was vacated Marcus Jones announced he was resigning to take the position of senior adviser to University of Louisiana System President Rick Gallot. Jones has served in the position since November 2021.

The search committee was called June 10, with the aim to hire a president by July 18. It’s unusual for a presidential search committee, the industry standard for selecting a university leader, to make a decision on such a short timeline. It is also unusual for searches to be held over the summer, when many professors and students have their attention elsewhere.

Genovese, who got his undergraduate degree at Northwestern, will take over leadership of the Natchitoches campus next month. In the role, he said he plans to focus on recruiting students and getting more funding from the Legislature.

The 74-year-old justice has served on the state’s highest court since 2017. He is not eligible to run for another term due to age limits and will forfeit the remaining two years of his term. An election for his replacement is likely to be held in the spring.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.