President tate's scholarship first agenda

Coast 

Opportunity

LSU is one of 34 federally designated sea-grant universities in the nation, reflecting our important role in enhancing the practical use and conservation of coastal and marine resources to support a sustainable economy and environment. LSU has more coastal experts than any other institution in Louisiana. Their multidisciplinary expertise and collaboration are essential to addressing the current and deepening advancing knowledge necessary to prepare coastal residents and industry for short-, intermediate-, and long-term environmental changes.

Importance

Natural disasters are increasing in frequency and intensity. This is especially felt in Louisiana, where the state is simultaneously experiencing coastal land loss and sea level rise, a phenomenon that will be experienced by other world deltas in the coming decades. With these changes felt by nearly all residents in Louisiana, LSU has developed the expertise to advance solutions that will impact communities worldwide. As the university continues its journey to advance knowledge about these challenges, our work is guiding the ways for others who are facing similar challenges.

Vision

LSU is solving coastal problems experienced by Louisianans today, with a focus on hurricanes, flooding, land loss, and sea-level rise. Consistent with our charge as the state’s sea-grant university, LSU will: 

  • Recruit new faculty and provide critical equipment upgrades to advance research capacity and productivity
  • Build upon existing areas of strength to achieve scalable solutions
  • Strengthen our state's position as a global leader in collaborative coastal research 

Impact

Coastal Research in Action

PhD candidate Ashley Booth, who studies coastal wetlands at LSU's School of Renewable Natural Resources, recently completed a NOAA Sea Grant Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship, where she supported federal policy efforts related to the environment.

LSU is using nature-based solutions to help a Louisiana Indian tribe whose ancestral lands in coastal Pointe-au-Chien are endangered due to growing environmental challenges. A recent financial boost will lead to the expansion of that project.

The announcement in October 2023 of a new LSU Litter Institute helps solidify the university as a key partner in addressing the statewide and worldwide challenge of removing litter and debris from our roadways, waterways, and shorelines.

Explore All Five Priorities

LSU has aligned core areas of strength and potential strength with Louisiana’s most important challenges and opportunities.