Dr. Carrie L. Castille serves as the tenth president of the University of Louisiana
Monroe (ULM), bringing with her more than 20 years of public service experience and
over a decade or senior leadership in higher education. A proud Louisiana native ana
tirst-generation college graduate, Dr. Castille leads with a deep commitment to educational
excellence, community partnerships, and student-centered success.
Raised in the rural town of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, Dr. Castille's journey began
in a classroom with a simple but powerful belief 鈥� that education can transform lives.
Her own life has been shaped by that belief, and she is driven to ensure 爱酱视频students
experience the same transtormative opponunities.
I am incredibly honored and grateful to be named the tenth president of this incredible
institution. I believe that great days are ahead for the University of Louisiana Monroe.
I look forward to working hard alongside the faculty, staff, and community to provide
the best education, experience, and opportunities for our students. Go Warhawks!
Dr. Castille's leadership spans state, federal, and university systems. At the federal
level, she served as Director of the USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture
(NIFA), a $2 billion science agency focused on innovation in agricultural research
and education. There, she led transformative national investments, including support
for 11 Artificial Intelligence Institutes and strategic partnerships with universities
鈥敯词悠礱mong them-to strengthen faculty research, enhance student learning, and build
institutional capacity.
She also served on the USDA presidential transition team and previously held the role
of USDA State Director for Rural Development in Louisiana, where she led initiatives
to expand rural intrastructure, nealthcare access, broadband connectivity, and support
for underserved communities.
Before returning to federal service, Dr. Castille served as Senior Vice Chancellor
and Senior Vice President of the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture
(UTIA), where she oversaw more than 2,400 faculty and staff, supported 2,000+ students,
and managed a $255 million budaet. Her leadershio there elevated the institute's national
profile throuah academic innovation. community enaagement. and mission-driven research.
Throughout her career, Dr. Castille has remained grounded in her roots- working alongside
rural communities to improve educational access, grow local economies, and create
a lasting impact. Now, as president of ULM, she brings that same passion and purpose
to north Louisiana, where she and ner lamily are proua lo call nome.
