Northwestern State University has granted tenure to 11 faculty members and 21 faculty have received promotions effective with the start of the 2026-27 academic year, according to Executive Vice President and Provost Dr. Greg Handel. The tenure and promotion recommendations have been approved by the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System.  

Those earning tenure were James Dewey Cox, Dr. Kaleigh MacQueen, Dr. Robert Page and Dr. Duminda Samarakoon of the School of STEM, Dr. Nicole Lobdell of the Louisiana Scholars College, Dr. Sean Bartley, Dr. Robert Cardwell and Dr. John Price of the Dear School of Creative and Performing Arts, Jacqueline Blakes and Jessica Despino of the College of Nursing and Allied Health and Dr. Megan Lowe of University Libraries. 

Those receiving promotion to full professor were Dr. Melissa Aldredge, Dr. Curtis Penrod, Dr. Jason Powell and Dr. Danny Upshaw of the College of Business and Technology, Corbin Covher, Leslie Gruesbeck and Dr. Francis Yang of the Dear School of Creative and Performing Arts, Dr. Christopher Gilson of the School of Social Sciences and Applied Programs, Lowe, Dr. Christopher Lyles of the School of STEM and Dr. Allison Rittmayer of the Department of English, Languages, and Cultural Studies. 

Receiving promotion to associate professor were Dr. Dominique Taylor and Emily Zering of the Dear School of Creative and Performing Arts, Dr. Neeru Deep of the Gallaspy College of Education and Human Development, Dr. Daniel Gordy of the School of Social Sciences and Applied Programs, Cardwell, Lobdell, MacQueen and Samarakoon. 

Carrie Maggio and Jessica Veuleman of the School of STEM were promoted to assistant professor. 

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