The Nicholls State University Presidential Search Committee announced Monday that six semifinalists have been named to remain in the search for the college’s new executive leader.
The six semi-finalists will begin public interviews on campus as early as next week.
 The remaining applicants are Allayne “Laynie” Barrilleaux, Karla V. Hughes, James M. Limbaugh, Mirta M. Martin, Bruce T. Murphy, and Carlisle “Bix” Baxter Rathburn III.
Allayne “Laynie” Barrilleaux
The lone internal candidate, Barrilleaux is the vice president of academic affairs at Nicholls. Barrilleaux earned a bachelor’s in science education from Louisiana State University, a master’s in business administration from Nicholls and doctorate in philosophy in management from LSU. Barrilleaux, a native of Houma and resident of Thibodaux, said she was “absolutely thrilled to receive the call” for consideration as Nicholls’ next president.
Karla V. Hughes is provost and vice president for academic affairs at Morehead State University as well as a professor there. Hughes earned her bachelor’s and master’s in food and nutrition from Kansas State University. She earned her doctorate in agriculture from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Hughes also conducted post-doctoral study with the college of business and public administration at University of Missouri at Columbia, specializing in personnel management, organizational theory and finance.
James M. Limbaugh is Chancellor of Montana State University-Northern. Limbaugh earned a bachelor’s degree in history at Frostburg State University and a bachelor’s in business and English and a master’s in student personnel and guidance at Texas A&M-Commerce. Limbaugh is a doctor of philosophy in educational policy and leadership, with an emphasis on higher education leadership and administration focusing on curriculum design. He conducted research on his experience advising first-year college students.
Mirta M. Martin is dean and professor of management at Virginia State University. Martin received a bachelor’s of science at Duke University, a master’s of business administration at the University of Richmond and a doctorate in philosophy of strategic management and leadership. In 2013, she was the recipient of the Metropolitan Business League Humanitarian Award for Educational Excellence and has always been named one of Chesterfield County’s “Most Influential Women.”
Bruce T. Murphy is vice president for academic affairs at Air University. Murphy obtained his bachelor of arts in English at University of California at Berkley with special recognition as a distinguished military graduate. He earned a master’s in business administration, specializing in management, as well as a master of science in systems management, at the University of Southern California. He completed mastery of arts at Columbia University in higher and adult education, and a doctor of education at Vanderbilt University in human resource development.  Murphy has developed several quality leaders for the Air Force.
Carlisle “Bix” Baxter Rathburn III is special assistant to the vice chancellor for academic and student affairs for the Texas A&M University System and was president and CEO of Texas A&M University-Texarkana. Rathburn earned an associates of the arts with emphasis in biology and chemistry at Gulf Coast Community College and bachelor’s of arts with honors in biology, mathematics and secondary education. He completed 37 hours in graduate work with counseling and student personnel services in higher education with emphasis on personality dynamics and group counseling before transferring to his doctoral program, both at the University of Florida. His specializations include law, finance and organizational development and management.
The University of Louisiana System listed specific qualifications for Nicholls’ new president: “The Board and University are seeking a president who will be a visionary, entrepreneurial leader who has both academic and senior administrative success; is committed to fundraising, economic development, and community relations; and is student-centered. Further, the President should empower other through transparent communication, collaborative management and shared governance.”
Other qualifications that the Board and University deem desirable include excellent demonstration of fiscal management, commitment to athletics, support for diversity, appreciation for arts and unique culture to the area, agency for change, and ultimately the ability and ambition to represent the University at state, regional, and national levels for several years to come.
The search committee is comprised of both voting delegates and non-voting advisors.
Dr. Stephen Michot, associate professor of history at Nicholls, served on the voting sector of the committee.
Nicholls’ Student Government Association president, Melissa Cloutet, served on the non-voting advisory sector. “It is my responsibility to voice the opinions and concerns on behalf of the student body,” Cloutet said.
Two other non-voting members are Nicholls alumnus: Deborah “Raz” Raziano, former director of alumni affairs and Matthew Jewel, former SGA president.