Front view of Louisiana State University’s main administration building in Baton Rouge, featuring tall columns, red tile roof, palm trees, and a landscaped lawn under a bright blue sky.

What LSU’s New President Means for Baton Rouge

November 06, 2025•1 min read

What LSU’s New President Means for Baton Rouge

Baton Rouge just got a new leader at LSU, and he’s already making waves. Wade Rousse, a Louisiana native and former McNeese State University president, has been selected as the 29th president of LSU.

Rousse isn’t your typical higher-ed hire. He comes from a business background marine transportation, the Federal Reserve, and even running an investment company before moving into academia. At McNeese, he helped reverse a 14-year enrollment decline and implemented data-driven systems to measure success campus-wide.

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One of Rousse’s biggest goals? Splitting the LSU president and chancellor roles again. The president will focus on the statewide university system while a dedicated chancellor leads the main Baton Rouge campus. That could streamline operations and bring fresh focus to the capital region’s flagship school.

For Baton Rouge residents and real estate investors, leadership changes like this can have ripple effects — from job growth tied to LSU’s expansion to housing demand around the university. With talk of a new 15,000-seat arena and ongoing research investments, LSU’s direction under Rousse could shape how our city grows in the next decade.

If you’re considering buying, selling, or investing around Baton Rouge, it’s the perfect time to understand where the city and LSU are headed.

Ready to make your move in Baton Rouge? Reach out today. Call or text me at 225-337-6363.

Brian Mackey

Brian is an investor and real estate agent in the Baton Rouge area. He and his wife Janelle have great experience in House Hacking, Mobile Homes, Short Term Rentals and much more. He is a father and a husband who enjoys learning the piano and retro video games.

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