BATON ROUGE, La. – The Louisiana Board of Regents is one of 11 higher education statewide agencies participating in a NASH/Google Microcredentials Partnership announced Wednesday during the August meeting.
During its full Board meeting, the Board received a presentation on Regents’ inclusion in the Google Microcredentials Partnership as part of the monthly Meauxmentum Moment. The National Association of Higher Education Systems (NASH), in partnership with Google, is convening public higher education systems in a Community of Practice (CoP) focused on expanding access to microcredentials.
A microcredential is a short, focused certification that validates a specific skill, demonstrating competency in a particular area.
The CoP will specifically focus on Google Career Certificates and AI Essentials. This initiative brings together 11 higher education agencies and systems, including an estimated 100 faculty and leaders, with a goal of reaching over 10,000 learners by the end of 2025.
“We are driving to meet the workforce demand of our state and this microcredential partnership with Google is a big step in that direction,” said Board Chair Misti S. Cordell. “Students in each of our public postsecondary systems, as well as across the state of Louisiana, will benefit from professional job training in critical-need areas like cybersecurity and AI.”
The Board also received the latest Hunger-Free Campus Program designations and recognized this year’s Hunger-Free Campus Award winners.
Every two- and four-year institution across Louisiana’s four public postsecondary systems earned the HFC designation for the 2025-27 two-year cycle, reflecting their commitment to addressing student need. Additionally, four private institutions have earned the HFC designation.
Five campuses were named recipients of the 2025 Hunger-Free Campus Awards, and each will receive $10,000 to support their hunger-free efforts. The 2025 recipients are:
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- Delgado Community College
- Fletcher Technical Community College
- LSU Health Science Center New Orleans
- Nicholls State University
- Northwestern State University
Established by Act 719 of the 2022 Regular Legislative Session, the Hunger-Free Campus Program aims to reduce food insecurity among Louisiana’s college students, recognizing that hunger is a significant barrier to academic success and degree completion. Once designated as a Hunger-Free Campus, the program designation is valid for two years, after which institutions may reapply to maintain their status and continue receiving program benefits and visibility.
“We are focused on addressing food insecurity on every campus in our state and removing this barrier to student success,” said Dr. Susannah Craig, Deputy Commissioner for Strategic Planning and Student Success. “These are college students who don’t have consistent access to food, and this is a reality that many people don’t know. With our Hunger-Free Campus Program, institutions can provide the resources necessary to help food-insecure students.”
During the first of two annual joint meetings, members of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) and the Board of Regents received updates on the newly established TOPS Excellence tier, course additions to the TOPS University core requirements, the Tri-Agency Teacher Apprenticeship Initiative, and the Task Force on Career Alignment.
The Board also received an interim report on the Governor’s Military and Veteran Friendly Campus Program for the 2024-25 academic year.
The next Board of Regents meeting is scheduled for September. The two-day meeting will include Higher Education FY26 budget hearings on Tuesday, September 23, followed by the full Board meeting on Wednesday, September 24.
2025-2027 Hunger-Free Campus Designations
Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS)
Baton Rouge Community College
Bossier Parish Community College
Central Louisiana Technical Community College
Delgado Community College
Fletcher Technical Community College
Louisiana Delta Community College
Northshore Technical Community College
Northwest Technical Community College
Nunez Community College
River Parishes Community College
South Louisiana Community College
SOWELA Technical Community College
Louisiana State University System (LSUS)
Louisiana State University and A&M College
Louisiana State University of Alexandria
Louisiana State University Eunice
Louisiana State University Shreveport
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport
Southern University System (SUS)
Southern University and A&M College
Southern University at New Orleans
Southern University at Shreveport
University of Louisiana System (ULS)
Grambling State University
Louisiana Tech University
McNeese State University
Nicholls State University
Northwestern State University
Southeastern Louisiana University
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
University of Louisiana at Monroe
University of New Orleans
Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (LAICU)
Centenary College of Louisiana
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
Loyola University New Orleans
Tulane University
#LaProspers
Contact
Chris Yandle, Ph.D., APR, Associate Commissioner for Strategic Communications
chris.yandle@laregents.edu • 985-373-5845