Dr. Joseph Savoie

Dr. E. Joseph Savoie has served as president of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette since 2008.

He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from UL Lafayette and earned a Doctor of Education in educational leadership and administration from Columbia University’s Teachers College in New York City.

He previously served as the Commissioner of Higher Education for the State of Louisiana for twelve years where he was involved in several major postsecondary education reforms in Louisiana, including:

• the restructuring of higher education governance;

• creation of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System;

• teacher education and school reform initiatives; and

• the state's Master Plan for Public Postsecondary Education.

Under his leadership, financial support for public postsecondary education nearly tripled and Louisiana’s colleges and universities became more engaged in addressing Louisiana's economic and social challenges.

Savoie has held numerous state, regional, and national positions. Governors M. J. “Mike” Foster, Kathleen Blanco, Bobby Jindal and John Bel Edwards all tapped him for higher education committees and commissions in their administrations. Savoie was a cabinet member in three governors’ administrations – Foster’s, Blanco’s and Bobby Jindal’s. He also served on Governor John Bel Edwards Higher Education Transition Team.

His regional and national board service includes the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB), the national State Higher Education Executive Officers (SHEEO), the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU), and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

Prior to his appointment as Commissioner of Higher Education, Savoie served in many roles on the UL Lafayette campus, including Vice President for University Advancement as well as adjunct assistant professor.

Savoie and his late wife, Gail Heinbach Savoie, have a daughter, Blaire, a son, Adam and a granddaughter, Addison Marie.