The University of Louisiana at Lafayette Presidential Search Committee selected three semifinalists for in-person interviews for the UL Lafayette presidency. During their meeting on Feb. 19, the committee selected Hitesh Rai Kathuria, Ramesh Kolluru and Richard Ludwick.
Kathuria served as provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at SUNY Empire State University in New York. He also served as academic leadership at other universities such as Indiana University, Indiana University East and in Connecticut State Colleges and Universities.
Kolluru is the current interim president of the University. Before becoming interim president, Kolluru served as the vice president for research, innovation and economic development.
Ludwick served as the president emeritus of University of St. Thomas in Houston. He also held leadership positions at other colleges across the country such as Albany Law School and the University of Florida.
The search committee will conduct on-campus interviews with the semifinalists on Monday, Feb. 23 and Tuesday, Feb. 24. Semifinalists will interview with faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members, and the feedback provided will be considered by the committee. After this round of interviews, finalists will be selected, and on Feb. 27, will be presented before a special board for more interviews.
The search committee consists of 21 members, nine voting and 11 non-voting, with Rick Gallot, the president of the University of Louisiana System, acting as search committee chair. The committee is made of Lafayette community members and UL System Board members.
In July 2025, President Joseph Savoie stepped down, leaving the presidential position vacant. Provost Jaimie Hebert initially replaced Savoie as the interim president before stepping down in November 2025 for Kolluru to replace him.