The University of Louisiana has ushered in a new era of leadership with the appointment of Dr. Ramesh Kolluru as its seventh president. At a pivotal moment for higher education across the country, Kolluru arrives with an ambitious, numbers-driven vision centered on growth, research excellence, financial strength, and deeper engagement with students and alumni.

‍A Bold Enrollment Vision‍

Currently serving 16,100 students, UL stands as one of the most important public institutions in the state. Kolluru believes that number can and should grow significantly.

His plan calls for increasing enrollment to 22,000 students by the end of the decade, with a longer-term goal of reaching 27,500 students within the next ten years. For Kolluru, enrollment growth is not simply about scale; it is about opportunity for students, for faculty, and for Louisiana’s economy.

With more students comes more innovation, more research output, and more workforce development. It also translates into expanded economic impact across Acadiana and beyond.‍

Expanding Economic Impact

Right now, UL generates an estimated $4.4 billion economic impact across Louisiana, including $2.7 billion in the Lafayette area alone. Kolluru points to those figures as proof of the university’s central role in regional development.

But he also sees untapped potential.

Kolluru has emphasized that if this is what the university can contribute at 16,100 students to imagine what kind of economic impact UL could generate at the enrollment numbers he has proposed.

The message is clear: enrollment growth is not merely an internal institutional goal. It is a statewide economic development strategy.‍

Strengthening Alumni Engagement from Day One

Kolluru also wants to fundamentally rethink how the UL Alumni Association connects with students.

Traditionally, alumni engagement intensifies after graduation. Kolluru believes that approach is outdated. Instead, he wants alumni relationships to begin the moment students step foot on campus, not the day they leave it.

By embedding alumni into the student experience early, through mentorship, networking, and career guidance, Kolluru envisions a stronger, more interconnected Ragin’ Cajun community. The goal is to create lifelong institutional loyalty that begins on day one.

Elevating Research and Doctoral Programs

Research prominence is another major pillar of Kolluru’s strategy.

Currently ranked No. 94 among public research universities, UL has made significant strides in research output. Kolluru now wants to elevate the university into the top 75 public research institutions within the next decade.

Central to that effort is expanding graduate education, particularly, doctoral programs. The university currently has 73 Ph.D. students. Kolluru aims to increase that number to between 100 and 110 students pursuing doctoral degrees.

Increasing doctoral enrollment not only enhances research productivity but also strengthens grant competitiveness, faculty recruitment, and national reputation.

Growing the UL Foundation

Financial stability and philanthropic strength are equally important components of Kolluru’s long-term strategy.

The UL Foundation currently holds $250 million. Kolluru wants that number to reach $350 million by the end of the decade and $500 million within ten years.

A stronger foundation provides the capital needed for scholarships, endowed professorships, research initiatives, and infrastructure improvements which are all essential components of competing nationally.

A New Approach to Athletics Revenue

Kolluru’s vision extends beyond academics and research into athletics and fan engagement.

With ticketing operations now managed directly by the athletic department through Paciolan rather than the Cajundome’s previous TicketMaster arrangement, Kolluru sees an opportunity to transform how the university interacts with fans.

He wants to move away from what he describes as a purely transactional relationship and toward one built on sustained engagement and loyalty.

Additionally, he sees significant untapped revenue potential in better utilizing Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium. Instead of limiting the venue to six home football games per year, Kolluru envisions hosting soccer matches, concerts, and other major events to generate additional revenue while optimizing operational costs.

The strategy aligns with his broader philosophy: maximize existing assets while building stronger community relationships.

A Decade of Transformation

Ramesh Kolluru’s presidency begins with a clear roadmap: grow enrollment, elevate research status, expand doctoral programs, strengthen philanthropic support, deepen alumni engagement, and optimize athletic revenue streams.

The targets are ambitious which include 27,500 students, a $500 million foundation, and top-75 research status. But they are grounded in measurable benchmarks and incremental milestones.

If achieved, Kolluru’s vision would not only reshape UL but could significantly amplify its role as one of Louisiana’s primary engines of economic growth, research innovation, and community leadership.

For a university already generating billions in statewide impact, the next decade under Kolluru’s leadership could redefine what is possible.