Nicholls Student Government President Cruz Cassard outlined the University of Louisiana System’s effort to keep Louisiana college graduates working in the state at a student government meeting on March 30.

The initiative, referred to as “redefining what it means to succeed,” centers on expanding how the state measures success for Louisiana college students by including in-state workforce placement after graduation. Cassard serves on a statewide task force leading that effort, representing students across multiple universities in developing recommendations to align education with workforce needs.

“It’s been an honor and a privilege to be appointed by President Gallo of the University of Louisiana System, as the student representative on the career alignment task force,” he said. “So I represent 9 institutions on the career alignment task force.”

Cassard notes the group has met since July and has focused on ways to address what he describes as “brain drain.”

“In Louisiana, there’s a term that floats around, it’s called brain drain,” he says. “It’s the loss of students to other states.”

Cassard also points to a major workforce gap across the state.

“For every Louisianian, there’s four open jobs,” he says. “So we have a workforce problem. We need to fill jobs.”

The task force brings together representatives from state agencies, higher education systems and industry groups. Members, including Cassard, submitted recommendations to the Louisiana Board of Regents, 60% of which appear in the board’s interim report.

Cassard emphasized that the recommendations cover expanding tax incentives to attract businesses and workers, and updating college curriculum to better match the skills Louisiana employers need.

“We’re trying to maybe modernize curriculum to get you out the door a little bit faster and get you in the workforce.”

He said that the effort also shifts how the state defines student success by adding workforce placement to graduation goals.

“20 years ago, success meant you graduated,” he said. “Our new measure of success is going to be, you’ve graduated college? Okay. Now, what do you do with it?”

“We want to make sure that if you stay in Louisiana, that we give you a reason to stay here.” 

“If we get you into Louisiana’s workforce, and we retain you in Louisiana’s workforce, that’s a win and that’s success.” 

Cassard said that the state has set a goal of reaching a 60% combined rate of degree completion and workforce placement.

The initiative may also drive long-term changes across Louisiana’s public universities, including updated coursework and stronger career pathways.

One Nicholls student shared her perspective on the initiative

Rita Lind, a senior and culinary arts major, plans to remain in Louisiana for now but questioned whether current conditions will keep graduates in the state long-term.

“ I do want to stay close to my family because my family’s very important,” she said. “However, in the long run, if they want me to stay here, Louisiana better start investing back into its people.”

Lind points out that the state must address broader economic and social issues alongside education reforms.

“If they want us to stay, they gotta protect us,” she said. “Like, abortion access, things like that.”

She said that improving higher education alone will not solve the problem.

“It’s a band-aid over a bullet wound. It’s not gonna help.”

Meanwhile, Cassard notes the task force plans to finalize its recommendations for state lawmakers.

“And that’s what that bill’s about,” he said. “It’s about redefining success for students of today, but also workers of tomorrow.”