Sandra Woodley Is the Likely New President of the University of Louisiana System

Sixteen candidates applied for the position of chancellor of the University of Louisiana system. Three candidates were put forward by a search firm. Now the board of supervisors has invited only one candidate to Baton Rouge to interview for the position.

Sandra K. Woodley, currently vice chancellor for strategic initiatives for the University of Texas system, will come to Baton Rouge on Friday November 9 for a public interview before the board of supervisors. The board said it may name the new system president later that day.

The review committee unanimously approved a motion to extend the invitation to Dr. Woodley. Chair of the board of supervisors, Wayne Parker, issued a statement which read, “We have a strong group of applicants but feel Dr. Woodley’s finance background and experience at multiple higher education systems most closely aligns with the current needs of the University of Louisiana system.”

Prior to joining the University of Texas, Dr. Woodley was the chief financial officer for the Arizona Board of Regents. She has served as vice president of finance, planning and performance for the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education and as associate executive director of the Alabama Commission on Higher Education.

Dr. Woodley holds a bachelor’s degree and an MBA from Auburn University. She earned a doctorate in business administration and management from Nova Southeastern University.