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Dr. E. Joseph Savoie was the sixth president of the �鶹��ýAV.

He returned to his alma mater as president in July 2008 and transitioned to president emeritus on Aug. 1, 2025.

Significant advancements in academic excellence, campus infrastructure, research capabilities and community engagement marked Savoie’s presidency.

UL Lafayette earned the prestigious Carnegie R1 classification, placing it among the top 5% of the nation’s research institutions. It surpassed $250 million in externally funded research for the first time, launched the largest comprehensive fundraising campaign in its history, implemented a master plan for campus growth, introduced new undergraduate and graduate degree programs, and opened its Health Sciences Campus.

Savoie also oversaw major enhancements to campus, including the expansion and renovation of academic buildings, research centers, student housing, athletic facilities, and the construction of Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium and the Student Union.

Before he was president, Savoie was Louisiana’s commissioner of higher education for 12 years, where he was involved in several major postsecondary education reforms, including:

• the restructuring of higher education governance;
• creation of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System;
• teacher, education, and school reform initiatives;
• the state's Master Plan for Public Postsecondary Education; and
• the promotion of collaboration within the entire education community.

Under his leadership, financial support for public postsecondary education more than doubled and Louisiana’s colleges and universities became more engaged in addressing Louisiana's economic and social challenges. Savoie was a cabinet member in three governors’ administrations – M. J. “Mike” Foster, Kathleen Blanco, and Bobby Jindal.

Prior to his appointment as Commissioner of Higher Education, he served in many roles on the UL Lafayette campus, including vice president for University Advancement, executive director of the Alumni Association, program director for the Union Program Council, student government advisor and adjunct assistant professor. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from UL Lafayette and earned a doctor of education in educational leadership and administration from Columbia University’s Teachers College in New York.