Board approves maritime degree proposal at Nicholls and several new academic programs; system outlines statewide maritime academy plan

University of Louisiana System and Nicholls State officials asked the Board to approve a Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation that will anchor a statewide University of Louisiana Maritime Academy. President Gallo, system provost Janine O'Rourke and Captain Kelly Denning (executive director, UL Maritime Academy) outlined a collaborative model in which two‑year partners and other UL institutions will contribute curriculum, technology and workforce pipelines while Nicholls will house the four‑year maritime degree that prepares graduates for the U.S. Coast Guard 3rd Mate deck officer license and MARAD designation.

Officials said the proposed maritime program is designed to meet federal licensing and STCW requirements, to provide sea time through industry partnerships while the academy builds an in‑state training vessel, and to draw on system strengths in cybersecurity, weather services and naval architecture from partner campuses. The presenters said they have secured a $1 million congressional earmark to jumpstart the initiative and are exploring further federal and industry support, simulators and shared infrastructure to reduce up‑front capital costs.

The Board subsequently approved this maritime degree along with several other academic program requests presented later in the meeting (a B.S. in Data Science at Southern University at New Orleans, a B.S. in Neuroscience at the University of New Orleans, and a master's in Allied Health at Northwestern State). Trustees discussed funding, the program's categorization as a potentially high‑cost program (eligible for flexible tuition considerations) and the importance of systemwide curricular contributions. Captain Denning emphasized phased Coast Guard approval steps (identify existing approved courses across institutions, develop new Coast Guard‑approved courses at Nicholls, and secure sea time placements).