Dillard University may be a small HCBU nestled quietly in its Gentilly neighborhood, but it clearly punches well above its weight. Under the leadership of Dr. Rochelle Ford, who became Dillard’s eighth president in July 2022, it continues to grow its programs and facilities at an impressive rate.
The most visible evidence of this is the new on-campus living and learning center, which recently broke ground and is scheduled to open in May 2025. Students, faculty and staff will be housed in the facility, which will also include a community space, small businesses and a business incubator.
“It’s a way to extend learning from the classroom into the residence hall,” explained Ford, who helped obtain a $40 million federal loan for the project.
Less visible but possibly more vital to the student experience, in 2023 Dillard reignited its study abroad programs. Participants in the Ray Charles Program in African-American Material Culture traveled to Italy and Cuba to learn about local cuisines. Partnering with a university in Japan enabled Dillard students to travel there to study innovation and STEM initiatives. Most impressively, Dillard was selected to represent the United States in a global research project to advance United Nations sustainability goals.
“Having that global reach really expands opportunities for our students,” said Ford.
Also on the program side, this year Dillard launched its Master of Nursing program, with concentrations in nursing education, administration and entrepreneurship.
“Many nurses these days are traveling nurses, working as independent contractors,” Ford pointed out. “We teach them how to market themselves, how to adapt to new environments, how to start complementary businesses in the healthcare field.
“The program will help fill the pipeline to meet nursing needs around the state and across the nation,” she continued, noting that Dillard graduates are instructors in many other local institutions’ nursing programs.
Ford’s first full year at the university’s helm did have its challenges. The extreme summer heat created the need for additional air conditioning as students were moving on campus in August. Then the university lost power campus-wide after an animal damaged the electrical system.
“Fortunately, the community really rallied to help us,” reported Ford. “Entergy repaired the system so that it was stronger than before. Hilton housed some of our students, and Loyola served meals for us. With each challenge we faced, it really demonstrated the strength of the New Orleans community.”
In turn, Dillard’s programs, projects and graduates, guided by Ford, continue the tradition of giving back to that community.
