UL System VP for Advancement to speak at LSMSA’s 38th commencement ceremony

The Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts (LSMSA) will hold its 38th commencement ceremony to honor the class of 2022 on Saturday, May 21 at 2 p.m. in Prather Coliseum on the campus of Northwestern State University. Serving as the guest speaker is Dr. Claire Norris, Vice President for Advancement at the University of Louisiana (UL) System, who has spent most of her career cultivating and maintaining equitable teaching and learning environments for faculty, staff, and students. 
"While I did not attend LSMSA, I am well aware of its commitment to high-quality education and student success," said Dr. Norris. "As a result, graduates from LSMSA are well prepared to further their education and pursue their life goals. It is an honor to serve as this year’s commencement speaker at such a distinguished school."
 
Dr. Norris provides leadership in diversity, institutional research, effectiveness, and advancement across the UL System. Her background in research and policy helps inform strategies to serve all students from various demographic, experiential, and cultural backgrounds. Before joining the UL System, Dr. Norris worked at the Louisiana Board of Regents (BoR). During her tenure at BoR, she served as the Senior Policy Analyst in the Planning Research and Performance Division, then later joined the BoR Academic Affairs Division as an Assistant Commissioner for Academic Affairs. In both roles, Dr. Norris was responsible for conducting research and developing and monitoring policies associated with academic affairs. 
 
At her core, Dr. Norris is also a passionate sociologist who spent five years as a faculty member in the Sociology Department at Xavier University in New Orleans, LA. She has authored and co-authored several peer-reviewed journals and book chapters in the areas of health, social networks, and social support.
 
LSMSA educates highly motivated, high-achieving incoming sophomores, juniors, and seniors from throughout the state. Inquiring parents and students may visit www.lsmsa.edu to learn more, complete online applications, and submit transcripts, ACT or SAT scores, and current teachers’ recommendations. For more information about this tuition-free, publicly funded residential high school, please visit https://www.lsmsa.edu.
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