Russell Price, assistant professor of history and geography, will be leaving the University in July to look for new opportunities.

“This is my eleventh year at Nicholls, and I don’t believe that you should do the same thing your entire life,” Price said. “You’ve got to keep life interesting and switch things up.”

He said that he is evaluating school districts that are closer to the house he owns in New Roads, La., near Baton Rouge. He also rents the storekeeper’s house at the Laurel Valley Plantation.

Price said that because he is single, it will be easier for him to change location. He explained that sometimes a family can hold people back from major changes.

“I’m getting tired of going back and forth every weekend between here and New Roads,” Price said. “I have double everything, and it’s just too much.”

He said that salaries have been frozen at Nicholls since 2007 because of budget cuts, and some people are getting restless.

“The pay is not what I want for a Ph.D., and a lot of students get their bachelor’s degree in education and end up making more money than I do,” Price said. “I have 20 years of experience, a Ph.D. and a teaching certificate. I think I should be compensated for my education and my experience.”

Price was born and raised in Lake Charles. In 1984, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biology education and a minor in history from McNeese State University. He continued his education at Louisiana State University, where he received his master’s in American history in 1987. He completed his education at Mississippi State University, where he earned his doctorate in American history in 1999. He came to Nicholls in the fall of 2000.

He said he hopes to find employment teaching high school seniors.

 “Many of my students are not prepared for college history classes,” Price said. “What better way to prepare them than by teaching high school seniors with dual enrollment. They would get college credit in high school.”

For a class to be considered for dual enrollment, the instructor must have at a master’s degree in the content area.

“Most teachers have a master’s degree in education, which doesn’t count for dual enrollment,” Price said. “With a Ph.D. in education, I’ll have those qualifications. That’s what I’m banking on.”

Price said that he also has experience in retail, and if a position in education is not available, he has a backup plan.

“Immediately before I came to Nicholls, I sold cars,” Price said. “I worked for a Saturn dealership, and I got the car I’m driving at the employee price. If I do that again, then I’ll be able to get another car at employee pricing, which is quite a bit cheaper.”

“I don’t have to do it permanently,” Price said. “That’s my focus. I don’t have to do anything permanently.”

He said that his home in New Roads is about 100 miles from Thibodaux, so he will be close enough to keep his connections.

“I’ve enjoyed my time here,” Price said. “I’ve gotten to know a lot of people, and I’ve enjoyed living at Laurel Valley.”

Price will be teaching a section of Louisiana history, and modern U.S. history during term A of summer intercession.  These will be his final courses at Nicholls before his official date of resignation on July 15.