Central Louisiana News

Louisiana Christian University history professor Dr. Henry O. Robertson has been named Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Robertson is the Hogan Family Board of Regents Professor of History.  He started work at LCU in 2006 as an associate professor and became chair of the Division of History and Political Science in 2007.  Following eight years in that role as both a faculty member and chair, he transitioned in 2015 to become the coordinator of institutional effectiveness, and not long after coordinator of sponsored programs.

“Robertson brings to this position a keen intellect and commitment to providing scalable academic programs for our Christ-centered university,” President Dr. Rick Brewer said. “Henry’s communication skills and knowledge of our state will definitely add value to this external initiative for LCU.”

He will continue in his leadership role with institutional effectiveness and sponsored programs.  In his new role, he will be tasked with collaborating with local, state, national, and international partners to develop pathways for academic partnerships and new programs.

“I am delighted that Dr. Robertson is joining the administration in the Office of the Provost and Academic Affairs as the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs,” said Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Cheryl Clark. “He has a passion for excellence in academia and has already been an asset to the University with his outstanding service as the Director of Institutional Effectiveness and Sponsored Programs. He was instrumental in LCU’s recent SACSOC decennial reaffirmation and handled the additional stress and workload with humor, professionalism, and outstanding leadership.”

Robertson continues this SACSCOC work through the annual and inclusive institutional effectiveness process that ensures quality student learning and institutional success campus-wide.

His efforts with sponsored programs are most significant and includes grant writing that has secured funds from private, state, and federal sources.  Most notably, he served on Clark’s team that obtained the $2.2 million U.S. Department of Education Title III grant for online education.  Last academic year,  he assisted in bringing in over $700,000 from five different funding sources for safety and security, nursing, business, and theater classroom and stipend improvements.  These are all new funds that benefit our students.

The cumulative total of grants the Sponsored Programs office has logged since 2015 is currently in excess of $4.4 million. These are non-budgeted external funds that assist the campus in many ways, and Robertson plays an important role in helping achieve this success.

“The Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs is an important new responsibility that will enable me to more effectively serve the university, our students, and our vital mission,” Robertson said.  “While many of the day-to-day functions of what I have been doing will remain the same, new areas for academic leadership have opened up in regards to seeking articulation agreements, transfer agreements, and partnerships with other statewide universities.  These efforts will help build LCU enrollment.

“Most importantly there will be additional opportunities that develop as higher education in Louisiana navigates the new normal and is buoyed by the inevitable transitions that have been a part of its fluid landscape over the last several decades.”

Robertson brings a wealth of experience with over 27 years in the classroom and service on various faculty and administrative committees.   

He was the President of the Louisiana Historical Association 2020-2021, and he served on the Alexandria City Civil Service Commission from 2015-2020. He attends Calvary Baptist Church where he has been a Sunday School leader and media ministry member.

Dr. Robertson holds a B.A. in history from Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Virginia.  His M.A. and Ph.D. degrees are in history from Louisiana State University, earned in 1992 and 1997.   He holds a graduate certificate in higher education administration from Mississippi College, a certificate in grant writing from the University of Georgia, and two certificates from the FEMA Emergency Management Institute for ICS-100 higher education and NIMS introduction.

“I thank Dr. Brewer and Dr. Clark for their faith in me,  my work, and by opening the door to even more professional growth in the arena of academic administration. The direction is forward and I am signing up for that trip. My love of classroom teaching remains strong and although reduced with this step, I have not walked away from helping our students grow and develop their minds.

Robertson said he will still teach history and geography courses occasionally because it has been a significant part of his adult life.

“There was no way I could depart completely from doing something that has been such a central part of my life since, well when I was inspired on this journey back as a freshman student myself in 1987 or when my full-time career started in 1998,” he said. “With Jesus Christ, all things are possible, and I am always thankful that His favor has brought me to where I am today.”

Original source can be found here.